Arachnophobia

Arachnophobia is the intense fear of spiders and other arachnids. Classified as a specific phobia, arachnophobia causes clinically significant distress that can affect quality of life. When in contact with or thinking about spiders, people with arachnophobia experience fear and anxiety almost immediately.

This article discusses the symptoms and causes of arachnophobia, as well as treatments and coping mechanisms that may help.

Symptoms

If you have arachnophobia, you may experience a variety of specific phobia-related symptoms whether you're near a spider or just thinking about one. Symptoms of arachnophobia may include:

• Immediate fear and anxiety when you see or think about a spider
• Fear or anxiety that's out of proportion to the danger the spider poses
• Avoidance of spiders
• Panic and/or anxiety responses, such as difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, nausea, sweating, trembling, and a need to escape

Arachnophobia can affect your quality of life significantly. For example, you might feel panic symptoms and discomfort knowing a spider is somewhere in your home. You might avoid engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking or picnicking.

Diagnosis

Specific phobias are differentiated from normal fears using the diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Healthcare providers use these criteria to understand your symptoms and determine if you have a specific phobia.

A diagnosis of a specific phobia requires that the symptoms be present for at least six months and cause significant distress or disruption to your life and well-being.

Your healthcare provider will ask about the character, intensity, and duration of your symptoms and may take a medical history, evaluate your current coping skills, and explore your treatment goals.

Causes

Traumatic encounters with spiders commonly trigger arachnophobia. Arachnophobia may also be caused by:

• An evolutionary response: Research suggests that arachnophobia or a general aversion to spiders is hardwired as an ancestral survival technique.
• Cultural and/or religious beliefs: Some individuals within certain cultural or religious groups tend to have phobias that stem from these influences. These particular phobias differ from common phobias in the general population, making culture and religion potential factors in phobia development.
• Genetic or family influences: Researchers believe that there may be a genetic component to phobias. Family environmental factors may also influence the development of phobias. For example, if a parent has arachnophobia, a child may pick up on that fear and develop a phobic response.

Specific phobias are more prevalent in females than males in both adolescents and adults. You may be more at risk for developing arachnophobia if you've had a previous traumatic experience with a spider, if you have another mental health condition, and/or have a family history of phobias.

Treatment

Like other specific phobias, arachnophobia is most commonly treated with therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral techniques. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on replacing the negative automatic thoughts about spiders with more rational thoughts. Techniques may include:

• Cognitive reframing helps you shift the way you look at spiders so you no longer perceive them as dangerous or stressful. This may eventually change your physical reaction to a spider.
• Systematic desensitization teaches relaxation techniques to help you confront your fears.
• Virtual reality therapy exposes you to virtual representations of spiders.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) might help if your arachnophobia is due to a traumatic experience.

Medications may also be used to treat arachnophobia.

Coping

Here are a few ways to cope with arachnophobia:

• Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation
• Self-care such as practicing good sleep hygiene, exercising, and connecting with supportive friends and family
• Gradual desensitization while practicing relaxation techniques

Prevalence

Among the 3-15% of people worldwide with specific phobias, the most prevalent are of animals and heights. Although the fear of spiders is common, not everyone who feels afraid or on edge around them has arachnophobia.

The Bottom Line

Arachnophobia, like other specific phobias, can be distressing and affect your overall quality of life. If you're having difficulty in day-to-day activities because of arachnophobia, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for treatment and support.