Arachnophobia

Synonyms in a broader sense

Spider fear, fear of spiders, arachnid phobia

English: arachnophobia

definition

The Arachnophobia is a kind of specific fear.
The term comes from ancient Greek and means fear of spiders (spider phobia). It denotes the fear from spiders, which is exaggerated and unfounded as there is no real danger. The fear does not always have to come from the confrontation with a real spider, but can also be triggered by pictures or toys that depict a spider.

Epidemiology

The Arachnophobia is widespread both in Germany and throughout Europe. Overall, around 10% of the population in Germany suffer from such a phobia. The fear of spiders is most common among animal phobias. Most of those affected are women (90-95%). There are hardly any poisonous spiders in Europe. Nevertheless, more people in the EU countries suffer from fear of spiders than in areas where the poisonous spiders live more often (e.g. rainforests).

Symptoms

The symptoms that occur in those affected in a fearful situation (real encounter with an arachnid) are comparable to the general symptoms of the specific fearHow strongly the fear of spiders becomes noticeable varies from person to person. Not every affected person shows the same symptoms to the same extent. The type and duration of treatment depends on the type and severity of the symptoms.
The fear triggered by an arachnid can manifest itself on three different levels:

• subjective: By telling the person concerned about their own fears of spiders.
• in behavior: avoiding the fearful place and objects in which there could be a confrontation with a spider.
• physical: physical reactions occur in connection with the spider (e.g. sweating, tremors, accelerated heartbeat, etc.),

The fears triggered by the thought of an arachnid or by confronting such an animal are usually greatly exaggerated and not appropriate for the respective situation. The fear described above can often lead to panic-like symptoms, which represent an enormous level of suffering for the person concerned.

Furthermore, the attention of the persons concerned is usually very targeted. Those affected usually look for possible spiders in rooms that they enter or in which they stay. When it comes to confrontation with an arachnid (in reality, or in the form of a picture / toy, etc.), those affected usually react with a feeling of discomfort or even fleeing and strong physical symptoms (sweating, tremors, Racing heart, Shortness of breath, etc.). People under a Arachnophobia/ Sufferers of spider fear are often unable to get their fears under control themselves or to keep in mind the inappropriateness of the fear in the respective situation.

root cause

Even with the factors that explain the development of a Fear of spiders are used, one orientates oneself on the explanatory approaches of the specific fear. Here one starts from a multi-dimensional explanatory approach, i.e. many causes can have contributed to the development of arachnophobia.
The explanatory approaches can be summarized in three different groups:

• Learning theoretical factors
• Neurobiological factors
• individual differences

The development of spider fear is most often explained by learning theories. The "Learning on the model“(Observational learning, a form of learning) plays an essential role in the development of many of those affected Arachnophobia. Even in childhood, people observe the behavior of parents or loved ones very closely. If the mother of the child suffers from spider fear and the fear is very evident in the behavior when the child is still small, the child has observed this behavior as a reaction to a spider and this connection (spider and fear of the mother) learned. It is believed that in the course of their lives these children will often have a Arachnophobia develop even though they must not have had any negative experiences with the arachnids themselves. An indication of this assumption is the increased fear of spiders, which can be determined in various family members. In contrast to other specific phobias such as the fear of flying, in arachnophobia one does not always assume a traumatic event as the trigger for the fear of spiders.
further causes: see causes of specific fear

diagnosis

In order to be able to make the diagnosis of arachnophobia, a therapist / doctor is usually asked about the behavior of the person concerned in a personal conversation (clinical interview).
During the discussion, the therapist / doctor tries to find out whether the patient's behavior and thoughts apply to the diagnostic criteria (criteria of a specific fear) that must be met in order for the diagnosis of arachnophobia to be made.
For example, it is asked how long the fear has existed, when it occurs, what symptoms the person concerned noticed. Alternatively, specific questionnaires are used that also inquire about the existence of the above criteria.
With the help of these procedures, the therapist / doctor can also rule out the possibility that the person concerned is suffering from another clinical picture.

therapy

If the fear of spiders is less pronounced, treatment is often not necessary. However, if the fear severely restricts the person's lifestyle and the quality of life is significantly impaired as a result, it makes sense to treat the fears. Those affected often report a very high level of suffering that can be triggered just by the idea of ​​an arachnid. This is another indication that speaks for the need for treatment. Through the treatment, the persons affected should learn how to handle the arachnids normally and come to understand that the dreaded arachnids do not represent a real danger and that their fear is therefore exaggerated and unfounded.

Treatment of arachnophobia is the same as with almost all forms of specific anxiety. Behavioral therapy measures have proven particularly useful here. In particular, the method of systematic desensitization and flooding (overstimulation) usually achieve good treatment results in the context of a specific fear (here fear of spiders).

Systematic desensitization

Learning a relaxation process (progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, breathing exercises, etc.) should help those affected to calm down and relax in fearful situations. The situations indicated by the persons concerned as dreaded are now systematically sought out (from little fear inducing to very fearful). In the situation, the person applies the previously learned relaxation procedure. This enables the person to stay in the situation and experience that no bad event is going to happen. Later, the person, without the accompaniment of the therapist, can visit the situations (here: situations in which an arachnid is present) alone and, if necessary, use the relaxation method against emerging fear.

Flooding

The person concerned is confronted with the most feared stimulus (e.g. touching a spider) directly, without slow approach, and should remain in this situation. In this situation, the person learns that the dreaded events (e.g. spider bite) will not occur.

see also: Specific anxiety therapy

forecast

Animal phobias (here: fear of spiders) often begin in childhood and can develop into advanced adulthood. There is usually only a need for treatment, however, if the person concerned feels that the fears have severely restricted their way of life and reports that they are suffering from severe suffering. Then there are very good chances of treatment for the affected person as part of behavioral therapy.