Insect phobia - has anyone overcome this ?

[yellowcurtainsrails]

I just hate them all. Especially the big flying ones. Especially wasps and hornets/bees and bumblebees.

I hate spiders too. But at least they can't fly, I guess.

I can't control myself around them very well. I really don't want to pass this onto my kids. I've had two massive wasps / hornets in my house today and it's been really difficult. I'm also now extra freaked out they'll sting my kids.

I managed to just open a door and they flew out.

I'm rationing opening the windows and considering insect nets or something to keep them out.

But at the core of it, I just can't get a grip about it. I actively avoid places they'll be and if they start coming at me, I flee.

Has anyone else managed to sort this out ? Last summer was so bad where I live, I never wanted to sit outside as it was just constant. My husband gets really angry and has a go at me. I try to sit still, not jump up. I don't Wave my hands at them, I just slowly flee the area and stay in a corner.

I don't want to f up my kids.

I am SO sympathetic, this has affected my whole life. I can recommend the Friendly Spider course at London Zoo. It's a half day course for arachnophobia and it's aim is to get you able to calmly remove a spider. It's got a great success rate.

I did it and it was life changing. I still hate hate hate spiders but I am now able to calm myself enough to put them outside. This meant that I was able to walk out of a really abusive relationship and start my life afresh. I know that sounds crazy to non-arachnophobes, but one of the reasons for staying in that relationship (and the one before it) was fear of not having someone to deal with the bugs.

Now, it's a spider course, but like you I am freaked by all bugs and flying ones are the worst. I found the techniques I learned at London Zoo have helped me deal with all bugs. I still don't like them, but I am really happy living with just my kids and rescuing THEM from bugs. I wish I hadn't waited so long!

Thanks so much ! I will check that out.

I wonder why bugs freak people out so much. They're tiny compared to us. But I guess they move in unpredictable ways. What is it ?? I hate their bodies. Eyes and stuff.

Have you ever been stung?

That was the changing point for me. Whilst not pleasant and it did hurt, I realised I was fine!

I opened this thread because my kids are irrational about bugs. They are aged 8 and 5. They really really freak out. Crying and screaming and running away. Particularly about spiders. But my youngest has a fascination turned fear about things like mosquitos, gnats, ticks, which is going to be really fun as we're going to Scotland at half term. I don't know where this has come from. I don't like spiders but have been taking pains not to demonstrate this. I'm really into ecology and have tried to enthuse them about all life. So, re you passing it on to your kids op, well, in my opinion these days maybe you have got less influence over them than you think. Also maybe this is an evolutionary thing.

There was a Paul McKenna hypnotism programme late one night on TV and I watched it half asleep (so relaxed, open to suggestion, etc, but didn't realise at the time). They had a short cartoon of a spider wearing boots and dancing, and said to make fun of your fears. Well I thought nothing of this. But, the next time I saw a spider, I felt no fear. Didn't hear the Jaws music in my head. I wouldn't say I like them but I'm not scared of them any more. So, hypnosis. Do you have someone local who could treat you? Based on my experience, it could be cheap and effective.

See if your local iapt service does phobia work. I'm am emhp and we do this with kids but for adult low intensity intervention a pwp through iapt might help.

All under nhs talking therapies.

Thanks and sorry your kids suffer from this horrible phobia.

I've thought about whether it's an evolutionary thing too. Some of them can be harmful and poisonous etc.

So maybe for some people the fear is just our reptilian brain over reacting. I think my fear is about them crawling into my ears / nose etc..

I grew up in a place full of bugs in the country side. I don't think that helped.

Never been stung !

There are some apps that use CBT / gradual exposure via augmented reality to help treat spider phobias. They could be worth checking out, there may be flying bug ones too.

Good luck, I empathise as I also struggle with this a bit, been trying to get a grip in recent years.

I've definitely improved a bit. I don't run away screaming. But I do jump up and remove myself pretty quickly. It's not fun to sit with me outside when they're around and I'm completely on edge the entire time, until I'm safe again.

I went for a meal outside last summer and there were constantly around 10 of them attacking our table and our food ! It was so bad. Everyone was annoyed though and it wasn't enjoyable even for people who don't have phobias.

I hate wasps. Hate them.

Not bothered about spiders at all as they have no interest is us and will run away if you go near.

But am terrified of wasps, the amount of picnics, nice.summer dinners etc etc they have ruined! How can you relax when they're buzzing round?!

Maybe I need to be stung as never have been and perhaps that makes it worse

You have my sympathies! I'm so scared of spiders that just seeing a photo of one sets my heart racing. Someone posted a photo in the work group chat and I had to get my DH to close it for me. They weren't being mean, just showing everyone the massive spider they found in the lounge. It the fast and unpredictable movement that scared me. I'm less scared of wasps after finally getting stung by one. It hurt but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

The spider course sounds really interesting @Ketzele Thank you for mentioning it.