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Arachnophobia freak out...

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Posted 10/8/2006 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, I know that this phobia is so silly for many people -- and I'm so glad for that cos if any of those people are over when I see one they have a really important job to do!! But I've dealt with 2 today -- both big and black, and both spotted in the bathroom when I was going to the toilet -- and it's freaked me out *a lot*. I know that I'll be jittery for days from this -- eyes jumping around looking to see if more are there -- and I'm now scared of going to the toilet: great. And sleeping ... oh lordy, I know already that I'll get the dreams -- or not get any sleep because every brush of the covers and I'll be freaking out. The summer's been bad enough for spiders, but I know autumn's normally worse. I love sunshine, but these things come out summer/autumn and that just makes me long for the big freeze. I can't even sit outside without worrying about these things and there are so many where I live (Portsmouth, UK) -- seem to be more than I've ever seen anywhere before. I need a cat or something ... but then if I knew it was eating them I'd be afraid to touch it. God I feel like such a loony. It's got to the point where I even won't touch things with eight spokes.... .

I don't know what I'm expecting back at this point -- but please don't go my mother's route and start talking about nests -- I panic enough about that idea as it is!! And therapy for this is out because I know the way they go with that and they'd probably aim to get me holding one or something -- and that is DEFINITELY OUT!!!!

So I'm just shaking and smoking.... .

Rosie x

Posted 10/8/2006 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
You know what's really stupid? -- I'm even afraid of this thread because it's got the word in it -- and the sudden movements of ads at the side of the page keep making me jump...

So does my hair...

Posted 10/8/2006 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
*HUGS Rosie* I hear anti jelly fish suits are good to keep out 8 legged things too. Can you get some kinda spray or something and spray the bathroom so you feel better?
Posted 10/8/2006 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
My cats, totally useless in this situation! I'm not AFRAID of them. I just don't want them in my house. I mean, it's not like I'm climbing trees disturbing their homes. We live in the woods so I've grown accustom to calling JKR and watching him (get this) trap them and let them go outside. Sheesh!

When we first moved into our house, we thought we should take advantage of our deck. It's only about 2 feet from the ground. It was night and all of a sudden I heard something scurrying beneath me. I jumped, ran inside and screamed. (Not sure if it was in that order). JKR said that it was only a squirrel. Well, three years later, I haven't been out on my deck after dark. . .

Do you have a ceiling fan? Maybe you could use some sort of fan (and covers in case it's cold) this way you might not feel anything "brushing" put on you. The wind from the fan would take care of that.
Posted 10/9/2006 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi C.C! I am sorry that you are struggling with your phobia right now. It is not silly, it is a very real and valid fear for you, and one that is not easy to deal with. Exposure therapy is very helpful, and you can be in control of just how much "exposure" you want! The therapists take things very slow and are extremely careful to make sure that you are comfortable and ready for each new step, until you have come to a place where you can manage, if not conquer your fear. I personally do not have phobias, but have heard that this approach is very sucessful. Imagine living free from this, it may seem impossible now, but you never know until you try! I am sending you lots of encouraging thoughts!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/9/2006 6:16 AM (GMT 0)
I am exactly the same with spiders it's not silly at all.  if I see one , well, everybody in the whole street hears about it!!  I once made my landlady come over at 10pm to get one out of my flat.  And I can never go to the bathroom at night in the dark without checking under the lid for red-backs (very poisonous in australia).  Hope you can stop shaking soon :-) Hugs
Posted 10/9/2006 6:30 AM (GMT 0)

*hugs* Rosie,

You are not alone in this.....I am terrified of ANYTHING with eight hairy legs....and will go so far as to only walk on furniture because I saw one on the floor....lol

I don't know about you but I can't get close enough to them to even squish them....cuz they might jump on me and then I would poop my pants and well....you get the picture....lol

My way of dealing with them as I am home alone a great deal is if I see one, I grab the hair spray....literally lacquer them to the wall....lol  Of course my boyfriend grumbles a bit about the shiny spots on the wall....but it does kill the spider and I know exactly where it is and that it can't jump on me....LOL

Winter will be here soon hon, and in the meantime, keep the hair spray handy....

Michelle

Posted 10/9/2006 6:41 AM (GMT 0)

Rosie-

It is not a stupid phobia. Your feelings are very real to you. They are your feelings and you are entitled to them. Like you, I'm afraid of spiders and basically any insect at all. I hate them, they *totally* freak me out. I'm shuddering just thinking of them. I was in the middle of a shower once and spotted something moving. I stood up on the sides of the tub and yelled at the top of my lungs for my husband to get his a** in there right now, screaming, sobbing. In he came, I'm soaking wet, soap dripping and yelling at him to get the thing out of my shower. I couldn't be in the tub with it. He asked why I didn't just run it down the drain with the water? WHAT? I can't look at it, I can't run it down the drain. What if it's a jumping bug and tries to get away from the water? And what if it lands on or near me? Oh no, you get it out of here right now. Sometimes he thinks it's funny to show me bugs that are outside. Or he'll pretend to pick one up and try to show it to me. I flip out every time. He thinks it's funny. I guess he just doesn't really get it. He likes to play jokes on people. He's not trying to be mean, I honestly think he doesn't understand my fear. It's very real to me. The other day, I spotted a bug in between the double paned windows we have while we were getting ready to WOO HOO. I made him get rid of it right then and there. He got mad and then decided he didn't want to WOO HOO anymore. I just knew that it was going to be looking at me the whole time. I knew it was there, I couldn't just *ignore* it. I felt bad that he was mad, but there was no way I could have it there. Every fear is real if it's real to you. It's yours, do not feel bad. 

BTW, JKRsgirl-my hubby does the same thing, he'll catch them and take them outside! This also happens to be one of the times he pretends he's going to show it to me, what if it jumps out of his hands and on me? Not funny!

There, now I'm off my soapbox! 

Posted 10/9/2006 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
sad  osie, I have been going through the exact same thing. I have always read that fear is one thing, but when it rules your life there is a problem. Well, It has been ruling my life since around May when I was bit. I have it really bad. I will not put any clothes on before running them through the dryer. I shake shake  shake shake shake everything. I shake my entire bed before getting in it. I have to take my laces out of my shoes and I take a wad of paper towels and go up in my shoe. The place we live now is just full of spiders. A lot of wolf spiders. They love the living room!!! They are so bad when i get up in the morning they have webs built in the kitchen and dining room!! When I stand outside I rock back and forth lifting each foot with rock because of the spiders and red ants. I know this is not NORMAL, but something I have to deal with right now. For me, going and talking to someone will not take away my fear, because of being bitten. Yesterday my husband and brother inlaw tore down a room that previous owners had converted half of the gargage. Well when they pulled up the plywood there was SO many spiders under it my husband even got a little freaked out. I guess there were hundreds of babies that went running. Then there was egg sacs galore EWW!!!!! We have been sprayed and have sticky traps everywhere. But nothing seems to help! I can feel your pain. Just know you are not alone. It drives me crazy. Everytime I get a bite now, my anxiety level hits the roof wondering. Up to the point of getting bit I had never really givin spiders much thought. Other than knowing I didn't like them or want them on me! Oh and it's NOT STUPID!!!!  Hang in there   sad
Posted 10/9/2006 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you sooooo much everyone!! Sometimes it's just that you need to be told you're not the only one who lets out the most fearful noise when you see one of these things (sort of a "wuargrgh" -- a noise that I only seem to be able to make when confronted with one of these things... probably a good thing...) -- the noise just comes out and then I have to stop myself cos I don't want my mouth open when one of these is around (ages before I can eat anything after this kind of thing -- panicky about one getting into my mouth -- I'd block my nose too, but guess I do still have to breath...!

Karen, I don't know how you survive!! -- I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but what you wrote really puts my problems into perspective... . I think I'd emigrate! -- Lived in Kuwait for a few years and it was my favourite place in the world because I never saw even one spider. A fair few cockroaches -- but I'm fine with those, and it was the one time in my life when I was the one in control with critters running about and everyone else was freaking out! I recommend that area to all arachnophobes!

Meg -- I'd love to live in Oz -- if it weren't for the spiders! -- I'm too afraid to go on that basis! How ridiculous is that?! At least the ones you have to deal with are actually dangerous and there's a reason to be scared of them! Oh, it just makes no sense!!!

Michelle (Normals) hun -- anti-spider spray is a great idea. I don't know if anyone manufactures it. And of course the other thing is that I daren't search the web for it -- how long do you think it would take for me to click on a page with multiple images for me to go crackers from?! JF dust will have to do for now -- oh and hairspray...

...for which wonderful idea, I have other Michelle (Nemekke) to thank -- good plan! I have tried spraying deodorant and one in my time, but it just kept going (presumably in a fresh smelling way...). I've also tried bathroom cleaning foam on one that came up the sink plughole -- didn't kill it, worse, the foam just clung to its shape and it looked even bigger and fatter than it was -- kind of like a white tarantula -- arrrrrggggghhhh. (Can't believe I'm writing this -- it's horrible, and I'm probably not doing me or anyone else any good...).

Scardy Cat -- I did actually try therapy for this once before -- therapist tried to get me used to images of spiders. Only problem was that I had to find the images, and when you open a book on a spider page you takes your chances (and drops the book and yelps and runs away!). Only book in the library I found with a spide image I really did try with -- but it was a bloody big spider -- and it was eating a minow (gives you an idea of the size...) -- I used to have to get someone else to open the book and I'd stand across the room from it all the while shaking or completely frozen in terror. I managed ok with a cartoon spider I drew ... but that was about my limit!! These days I have a cover over a book that has a little spider on the cover (and I still don't like holding the book) and I have to take big detours round some streets where I live because someone really mean and evil decided that bright pink spider images was this year's cool graffiti... .

Chelle hun -- I think it would have been *me* avoiding WOO HOO-ing after that incident! -- If anyone gets rid of a spider for me I won't let them come near me until they've washed their hands thoroughly (even if they didn't touch it!!) and even then I don't think I'd be "in the mood"! ;)

Thank you all again so much. I do feel a bit better for having a bit of a laugh with you all about our various freak-outs! I'm also shamed by the spider situations some of you have to deal with -- and here's *me* panicking!! lol As always on this site, it helps to know I'm not alone -- even though I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

Wonderfully, I *didn't* have spider dreams last night. I've discovered something that helps me sleep finally -- completely by chance. I was feeling a bit bunged up and I have a pot of nose/head clearing stuff, but it was making my eyes water too much; so I got out a pot of balm that I bought from a farmers' market a few years ago when I was in the US. It's all essential oil-based, I think. Anyway, it knocks me out and I am finally getting some decent sleep (without the grogginess the next day)!! Only trouble is, I have no idea what's in it -- no label -- otherwise I'd recommend it to all!!!

Big hugs back to you all -- you're fabulous!!

Rosie xxxxxxxx
Posted 10/9/2006 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Rosie,

You could get a wasp or roach or ant spray from the store (something for indoor use) and spraythat should work on the 8 leggers too.
Posted 10/9/2006 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hugs Rosie I hate spiders myself and if I see one in my home I have a terrible time sleeping. When I lived in the city my roommate and I found a gaint roach (we didn't live in the best neiborhood) and we both left the apartment for a few days. YUCK!!!!!

hugs,
Georgia
Posted 10/9/2006 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hate to say this but I happen to love the webs and I too catch them and put the outside ........Sorry sis I didnt want to lie .........
Love ya
sis
Posted 10/10/2006 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Note to self lyn takes care of spiders hehe If I am over Lyn and you hear me scream something in the room might have 8 legs and need removal lol
Posted 10/10/2006 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
Oh yeah!!!. I am petrified of those eight legged things!!! We have been having an awful time with the biggest ones here too!!!...I call my husband to kill them because I cant even go near them...And yes, I have called him at work freaking out about them...My mom knows how afraid I am so she always helps me out if I am frozen in one spot because of the darn things...I call her to come over and help me sad And they say they are more afraid of us?...LOL...They havent met me yet!...LOL

Shelly

Posted 10/10/2006 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
LOL
Lil one not IF ..........
I will not let one of them or anything else hurt you you know that by now ......Me just put them outside away from house
I just think the webs are beautiful and for some reasons I relate them to me and my A/P
Okay if you really look at a web it is so intricate right ,starts off very small and slight working its way out getting bigger spaces between all the time
Like me I feel it is baby steps and then bigger baby steps ya know
Am I making sense
I just dont believe in hurting or harming/ Killing them all I will freak at some of the bigger beggars lol
No....... Shell thay have not met you lol
Love yas
Mom Sista lyn
Posted 10/10/2006 10:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

    I wanted to put in my 2-cents worth....I DO NOT like spiders!  BUT....We have an "agreement" here.  If they come into MY home, then they will not survive.  When I go outside, I will not harm them.  It works fairly well.  Everytime I am forced to grab a shoe, I have yet to hear one argue with me!  lol

    I live in Missouri.  We have a lot of spiders.  I have a basement that is old and icky.  The spiders grow like weeds down there.  BUT...I go down there with a Shop-Vac and suck those suckers up till they are gone.  OH YES, I am screaming half of the time. (always do this with plenty of light! Daylight perferably!)  Dancing a jig out of sheer creepyness and terror is usually the ritual that goes along with it.   OH, and the cussing of the husband who is just too lazy to deal with it.  I figure I am going to get them before they come up into the house. 

   It gets incredible down there!  Some of the webs are amazing, also some look like they are straight out of a horror flick.  BUT...I just have to be stronger than they are.  Until I had a baby, I would not go near one.  THEN something happened and the desire to protect came over me when one was near my daughter and I nailed it with my bare hand.  OMGosh, I was SOOOO impressed with myself!  lol  But I had to protect that baby.  Anyway, NOPE...you are definately not alone.  But don't let them determine how your life is going to be.  You lived with them this long, you will continue to do so. 

Gods Blessings!

Becky Lynne~

Posted 10/10/2006 10:53 AM (GMT 0)
I love the webs too lyn just cant stand the lil things
Posted 10/10/2006 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Oh-ho Lyn, I know you are a fan! -- It's just plain wrong!! lol -- Wish you lived near me -- you'd have a job for life!! :)

2tall -- good agreement -- but how do you cope with their arguing?! Yes, I do the vacuum cleaner thing too -- but then I have to empty the bags (argh!! -- plastic bags over hands in case one jumps out). I get through *a lot* of vacuum cleaner bags!! And now I always associate my vacuum cleaner with the things -- scares me to even touch it, much less to open it! Oh dear...! lol

This thread has really helped me with a bit of (sometimes uneasy!) laughter. -- Thank you all.

Rosie xxxxxxxx
Posted 9/14/2011 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
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