wierd problem

hi, I'm new to this. I have bipolar and anxiety. My problem is with spiders. I hate them. I think about them all the time. I can't get them out of my head. I haven't seen one in months, but I walk aound the house waiting for one to scare me. I'm cautious taking a cup out of the cupboard in case there might be one in the cup. I sometimes sit paralized with fear and afraid to move. I hate to have to go upstairs to take a shower. I may see one there. I don't know where this problem came from, but I can't stop thinking of spiders.
I metioned it to my doctor, he kind of laughed about it. He didn't want to give me any meds becauses I take enough already.(lithium, lamictal, abilify, buspar).
Spring is coming and I am afraid I'll be stuck inside, hiding from spiders. It's my job to mow the lawn, and it causes me so much anxiety because I may see a spider.
Any comments on this bizarre situation, I'd appreciate.

Tracy

Hi Tracy. Welcome to the site. I don't think that's a weird problem at all. It sounds like a phobia to me. You might want to check out the phobia forum. I think it was really inconsiderate of your doctor to laugh at you. Phobias, although irrational, can be very debilitating. I have some myself so I understand totally what you're going through. I've never been treated for any of my phobias so I don't know what is normally done. If you can't find any help in the phobia forum, you could do an online search for phobias,treatment and see what comes up. I know there is desensitization but I don't think I could personally go through that. I'm sure I'd have a heart attack before I was cured. Good luck in your search. If you need any help in searching online, send me a PM and I'll help you out. I'm pretty good at net searching.

Do you see a therapist? Therapy can help with phobias. You can get to the root of the problem and deal with it so you aren't affected by this fear. I don't think it's wierd nor do I think it's anything you should be embarrassed about (not sure if you are or not but I thought I'd throw that in there). BTW, welcome.

I'd practice my attack skills. Shoes are great tools to kill buggs with. Pretend some small object is a spider, then reach for a shoe or anything to smash it with and swing at it. If you hit the small object, then you know you're ready. If you miss the small object, then you know you need to keep practicing until you can hit it the first try.

I did this with roaches. Now, I react with my "kill method" more than I do my "run and scream method." The kill method is more effective and gives a sense of control over the environment.

PB - I loved your suggestion of practicing on a small object...the visual image you implanted is great!

I am also wildly phobic about spiders. Honestly - when I first saw AngelGirl's lastest pic in her signature, I freaked cuz I thought it was a spider!

Since I'm against killing, even bugs whenever possible, I've had to learn to catch them and release them. I'll tell you....it's completely horrifying, but I gotta do it. They can't stay here unless they'll help with rent.

If your phobia is getting in the way of your daily living (like lawn mowing) you really do need to seek treatment for it. In my area there is an anxiety clinic which treats phobias. I'd ask you MD if there is something like that in your area.

Good luck! emmy

Emily, when I first saw AngeGirl's pic, I thought it was a spider, too. Freaked me out!
I can't beleive you don't kill spiders. That is horrifying to catch them. Yuck!
Thanks for the advice.
Tracy

Hi kiddo........You have the company of ME! I am a super spider hater.... man, I see even a dead one and I run........... it's a prison, isn't it?? I won't even move anything in garage without getting my husband who has NO fear of anything.... If I see one on wall I won't go into room unless my husband kills it and i SEE it gone...flushed down toilet and don't forget to flush it TWICE!!! YIKES!! And they say we swallow spiders throughout our lifetime with our mouths open.. oh, no.. I just added to your phobia, sorry! This is an irrational brain chemical problem..... come on, rationally, we KNOW it's a tiny little thing.. and it must crack up when it sees us the monster in size to him running and screaming........ think about it! I STILL hate them! And those who call them "cute".............. BARF!!!!!!!!! They say we should go up and LOOK CLOSELY at them.... and MAKE oursleves see them and say "I no longer fear you".... and eventually we'll overcome the fear....you go first! hahahah

Therapy is awesome but who has $90/hr. these days????????

you know they eat other bugs, yes? :-)

Hi sweetie.......arachnophobia its called........I have a terrible paralysing fear of snakes(ophidiophobia)........I am sure I will encounter a snake much less than a spider though. This is not an entirely rational fear though it is based on merit and our basic instinct to survive hence fight or flight hence anxiety or panic. Spiders can be dangerous as can snakes.......as for what made me so afraid of snakes.......I cannot say but i used to have nightmares about serpents.

As with any anxiety condition, situational exposure therapy seems the flavour of the day.......and it does work. Sorry babe, there really isn't anyhting else you can take medication wise to help you. I have included some links for you to have a read.......as for your doctor, well, its serious time. You sound terrified and he/she should take that seriously.

You will get through it.........I am at the stage of being able to look at pictures of snakes and i can watch them on tv. The thing is I am a real nature buff and environmentalist so snakes are right up there as far as beauty and amazing evolutionary design.......I can appreciate them for their place in the eco system and I am partially in awe of snakes......To experience one in real life.....well.....I would probably get bitten by falling on it in a dead faint. Its frustrating and limiting and just plain terrifying.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arachnophobia

http://www.counselling.cam.ac.uk/phob.html

http://www.hitl.washington.edu/projects/exposure/

Good luck babe........you will get through it.......

Hey, My problem with spiders has gotten better over the past year or so. Also, my bipolar has been better. I think the changes in my medication has helped me. I'm just not as paranoid. It's a huge relief. Hopefully, you can overcome your fear, too.

My next step is to actually handle one........I am going to try and organise something through our local zoo, hopefully in private so if i freak out, I can run without humiliating myself in the process!!! I do love snakes.......I just wish I could get over the paralysing fear of them.