Dealing with phobia

D

danielp

Joined
Aug 27, 2002
Messages
184
Hi there,
I have a caterpillar phobia for years, and it is limiting my desire to go to the outdoor whether it is hiking or even simply gardening, because I’m afraid I will see a caterpillar out there. I remember years ago when I’m doing a rock climbing, I spontaneously released my grip only because I saw a caterpillar on the rock, but luckily I had a good belay so I didn’t hit the ground, or else I wouldn’t be here..

This phobia thing is giving me a hard time, if I see a caterpillar in my garden, then I will not go there for about two weeks or so, until the mental image slowly disappear. I didn’t have this phobia when I was a kid, since I still remember picking out caterpillars from my mom’s rose garden back when I was a kid. I also remember one night I had a dream where my bed was full of caterpillar, they are all over me, it was very scary, maybe that was triggering this phobia, but I’m not sure.

I wonder if any of you have phobia, and how you handle it, especially the one that related with your outdoor activity like height, spider, snake, etc. I’m thinking about seeing a hypnotherapist to get it fixed. Any thought?
 
Therapy and drugs. I wouldnt let a phobia if treatable keep me from the natural world.

Good luck.

Skam
 
Hi, I'm a complete dork and I'll be banned from Bladeforums if I ever pull anything like that again.
 
markksr! Not nice!

danielp: Never ask the internet for mental help. If you can't even go outside, that stuff is serious. Get desensitization and behavioral therapy from a certified psychologist.
 
markksr, that's really not cool man. The decent thing to do is to remove that picture. I know you did it as a joke, but a strong phobia like that isn't a joke and taking advantage when he's asking for help just sucks.
 
Face it head on with several friends. Research the critters a little and slowly touch a few. I did it with bats. They creeped me the heck out but after reading about them and touching a few I now still dislike them but am not afraid of them.
 
znode said:
markksr! Not nice!

danielp: Never ask the internet for mental help. If you can't even go outside, that stuff is serious. Get desensitization and behavioral therapy from a certified psychologist.
Click to expand...


He is dead on. I have know a phobia like yours can be extinguished in a matter of hours. Mine is more difficult....I am afraid of sharks...so much so that I will not go snorkeling in Hawaii. It is not so bad since my fear doesn't keep me from what I love. Outdoors on land with playing with fire.

Good Luck
 
Get professional help [no drugs though] Remember that they turn into butterflies or moths !
 
i am scared of bugs myself.mete brings a great point.

catepillars turn into beauty creatures! butterflies!

Sparkle.jpg
 
markksr, very funny. lmao. :D

To the OP... their caterpillars, I know phobias are irrational, but come on. Get some therapy and/or drugs like skammer said.
 
Thanks for the quick reply guys... although I have to close my eyes and scrol down to avoid seeing something that I really don't like to see up there, so maybe I have skipped some of the replies.

I will seek professional help. do you guys think it would be better to see a psychologist or hypnotherapist? I'm pretty impresed with what a hypnotherapist can do, but sometime it looks too good to be true..

Trentu: I tried to face it, but it can not remove the fear permanently.

Again thanks for the reply, I really like to go to the outdoors more often.
 
Now you've done it. He'll have a phobia about butterflies now also.

danielp, as you can see, we are a friendly bunch with a distorted sense of humor. But you really can get help altering your reaction to what are intrinsically harmless creatures. Go for it. The best help you can get on the internet is to look for a psychologist in your area. Asking at a local university might be a good idea, too.
 
mete said:
Get professional help [no drugs though] Remember that they turn into butterflies or moths !
Click to expand...

The therapy drug combo is what works for many. To discount drugs is giving bad advice. It may not be needed but it is a valid option. Phobia's are not funny they are horrific for some.

Skam
 
One of my best friends has a real phobia for spiders. I remember when the local paper published a story about an escaped tarantula on the front page, including a large photo. When he picked up the paper at the shop, he fainted and smacked his head on the counter. Needed a few stitches. The paper had dozens of complaints from sufferers.
His revulsion and reactions are so strong, that now his son has picked it up from his dad and is terrified of them too.
I can't really add to the advice given, therapy of some sort seems the only way. But I think facing it and doing something about it is important otherwise our children are likely to pick it up from us.
 
go face your fear head on. you are a heck of a lot bigger than a caterpillar. i have only ran into 1 caterpillar that i didnt like and it stung me but i got over it. i was mauled by a dog when i was 5 but i have no fear of dogs. some make me leary but i dont let it stop me. get one in a jar that doesnt look menacing and slowly work your way closer to it. why pay money for something you can conquer on your own. all you have to do is tell yourself you can do it then do it.
 
Sorry about the soon-to-be-former-member-if-he-ever-pulls-anything-like-that-again. Most of the members are not such bungholes.

Phobias have to be overcome gradually, but that doesn't necessarily have to take a long time. The method is very well worked out and you may not even need professional help; you can find directions on the net and follow them by yourself. It helps to have someone supportive who understands to work with you, but that doesn't have to be a professional; it's not that difficult. A close and trustworthy friend can research the method with you and help you apply it.
 
I have a fear of heights and I jumped out of an airplane- and broke my legs! Still think I am afraid of heights but will not let that stop me from doing things up high as long as I know that it is safe. I also feel that with a major phobia one should get professional help to face the fears. FYI I did not jump to conquer my fears but the bad landing has not increased the fear either.
 
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