The Arachnophobia Is a specific type of phobia based on extreme terror towards spiders and other similar arachnids such as scorpions. Although many people are afraid or disgusted with spiders, in the case of those who suffer from this phobia becomes illogical, irrational and out of the ordinary.
If you feel disgusted towards a spider but are able to face it by frightening it or simply ignoring it, you do not suffer any kind of disorder. People who really suffer can become paralyzed, being one of the automatic responses that develops our brain along with flight and attack in an extreme fear situation.
There are cases in which people who suffer from this type of phobia become frightened simply by watching spiders on television, photographs or even realistic drawings. To discover a web of spider or to develop by some space propitious to harbor spiders (nature, basements or cabinets, zoological, etc.) are other of the sequels of these fears.
These repulsions cause"arachnidocentrism" For many people, which can lead to a Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) . The fear that a spider may appear at any moment leads the person to keep the home clean and tidy and if possible fumigated.
Other examples can be given when the holidays arrive. The fear of not knowing if the holiday residence will be full of spiders, causes a limitation when deciding to leave the home.
It can also affect everyday pastimes such as walking or playing sports in green areas.
Symptoms caused by arachnophobia
Depending on the degree of phobia, the symptoms may be more or less considerable, but the most prominent are:
- Panic generalized (screams, cries, flight).
- Restless breathing.
- Tachycardias.
- Sickness.
- Feeling of choking.
- Chest pain.
- Cold.
- Excessive sweat.
- Instant and temporary paralysis.
- Gastrointestinal problems.
- Inability to distinguish between reality and unreality.
- Constant fear.
Why do you feel scared with spiders?
Although in the case of phobias the diagnoses are not irrefutable because they depend on the factors and characteristics of the people, several are the reasons that the scientific community puts on the table to try to explain the fear that is felt by the arachnids.
Evolution
There is a trend that suggests that arachnophobia has its origin in genetics.
I argue that, because our African ancestors were at constant risk with spiders, they developed in their DNA An instinct of survival that has been assimilating the arachnids as an animal harmful to our species. A predator to avoid.
These evolutionary studies not only take as reference the time of the caves, but they cite to a part of history closer to us: The Average Age.
Europe, during the 14th century, was plagued by the bubonic (or black) plague being one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. Between 50 and 80 million Europeans died and for many years spiders were associated as guilty of the deadly outbreak. It was a case that took to the extreme, since it was thought that any spider bite could be lethal. Subsequently it was shown that most diseases and pests were due to rats and fleas and not to arachnids.
According to the University of California, our visual system has retained these ancestral mechanisms, and this evolutionary need has remained entrenched to this day, even though only 200 of the nearly 46,000 species of spiders (about 1%) can be a hazard For the man.
The famous"black widow"? Among others, may have been one of those dangerous species that prompted our ancestors to develop these defense mechanisms because their deadly sting could have caused millions of deaths.
In any case, these fears have also been able to have a positive derivation. Researchers indicate that this genetic evolution could have also developed improvements in sensitivity, perception, alertness and speed in the ability to perceive danger, having been a significant selective advantage.
Genetics
On the other hand, some scientists have tried to show that arachnophobia is hereditary. In 1991, Graham Davey, a professor of psychology at the University of London, conducted a study with his students in which he found that most of those who suffered some form of panic, whether mild or severe, had a direct relative who also suffered .
However, Davey's work was later refuted as it was questioned that family conditioning could be the basis of this type of panic. This countercurrent argued that the phobia could have developed in the home, but not directly by the familiar genes, but by some trauma during the childhood. That is, it would be a response conditioned by a negative experience.
However, genetics can not be ruled out as one of the possible causes. In 2003, the Virginia Institute of Psychiatry and Behavior Genetics, with Dr. John Hettema leading the way, experimented with two adult twins to assess behavioral genes regarding spiders. The study revealed that genetic influences were substantial and that a person did not have to have experienced some traumatic experience to be afraid of spiders.
Other theories
Until now, theories related to evolution and genetics are the most accepted by the scientific community. To these two we could add some more, but with less foundations and weakly corroborated.
One of them relates panic to spiders with their body structure and their motor movements. Specifically, Professor of Psychology at the University of Plymouth (UK), John May, suggests that dark colors, elongated and angular legs are unpleasant for the human race.
In addition, our eye sensitivity to notice a movement without having located where it comes from, develops a restlessness in the human. This statement conforms to the rapid and unpredictable movements of spiders.
Cockroaches , Moths , Beetles, wasps are other insects that meet the patterns of fear indicated by May's theory.
Treatment
It is estimated that in the United States 40% of phobias are linked to"bugs", that is, bugs. Surely the spiders are among the top of this list and, although possibly afflicted people will never be prone to change their vision about them, at least they can learn to deal with the phobia.
First of all, one must be aware of whether the fear that a person may suffer is simply rejection, antipathy or fear towards someone, something or a situation or is really a phobia. In the case of the fear of spiders affect the daily life of a person and do not know how to handle themselves comfortably in their work, if you need professional help.
There are several techniques to combat this type of phobia:
Cognitive-behavioral technique (CBT)
They are based on the restructuring of negative thinking about spiders in order to change that feeling and behavior. The biofeedback, meditation , Relaxation techniques Or tolerance of distress, are part of these cognitive-behavioral techniques. With the help of a professional, it can be carried out individually or in consultation.
Awareness technique
They are part of the CBT but they deserve an extra section. It is characterized by being the one that more constancy needs, but also has demonstrated greater effectiveness with respect to the others. It consists of gradually exposing the patient to the spiders so that they can tolerate their presence and, at the same time, learn to control their fears until they disappear.
Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)
The NLP Is a combination of psychotherapy, communication and personal development based on the modification of learning abilities or disorders. That is, irrational fear would become the spider in a behavior of calm and relaxation.
Pharmacotherapy
Although it should be the last option because of the side effects they can produce, the Antidepressants (SSRIs), anticonvulsants or Anxiolytics Can serve as treatment for cases of extreme gravity.
Virtual reality
Thanks to the evolution of technology, it has been possible to develop virtual reality processors that expose patients to representations of spiders in a representative manner in order to gradually reduce fears towards them.
Child trauma from a bite? It is important that the patient try to find out or determine why panic attacks occur. This can greatly favor the therapist or psychologist when it comes to choosing one therapy or another, streamlining the treatment and of course allowing more positive results.
The spider in popular culture
Throughout history has been related to the spiders with patience, for their constancy when weaving the fabrics in order to wait for a prey to fall on it to eat it and on the other side with the evil for its poison mortal.
Already in Ancient Egypt, Greece or the Mayan culture made symbology of spiders in their literature, paintings or pottery and ceramics.
Although spiders in most countries cause disgust or some fear, there are certain cultures, far removed from Westernization such as Indochina, Papua New Guinea, certain parts of Africa and South America or the Caribbean, where arachnids are part of their culinary culture . Specifically, it is known the case of the fried spider in Skuon (Cambodia), where the fried tarantulas are a very daily dish.
In other cultures, such as the Lakota, Native American Indians, consider the spider as a symbol of good luck.
Bibliography
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