Horror Stories of Spider Fear

Since starting this business I have heard some real horror stories lately of how spider fear (arachnophobia) has drastically affected people’s lives. Because spiders can appear anytime, anyplace, there can seem like there is no escape from this phobia. Additionally, this unpredictable nature of spiders can also make this phobia incredibly dangerous.

Spiders In The Car

One such story was of a very arachnophobic lady who was driving her car with her children inside. A spider came down on its web right in front of her while she was on a busy motorway. She completely panicked and took her hands off the wheel to swat the spider away. The car veered into another lane and she just barely missed ongoing traffic. She nearly crashed her car, endangering herself and her children. Thankfully, she and no one else was hurt but the story could have ended up much differently!

Sadly I do know of some people who have gotten into car crashes because of a spider in their car. Another client had panicked so badly when they saw a spider on their clothes while driving. He swerved when he tried to regain control of the vehicle and unfortunately hit another car. Though both parties had to go to the hospital, no one had lasting injuries. However, I think this highlights how a spider phobia can even be fatal!

Spiders Stopping Travel

Another story was of a couple trying to find an exciting destination for their honeymoon. However, due to the woman’s fear of spider’s no suitable location could be agreed upon and they just stayed in England. She has still never left the country to this day because of her fear of  running into a spider in a foreign country!

Another woman cut her dream holiday short because of her fear of spiders. She was traveling in Australia and saw a huntsmen in her bedroom. This encounter terrified her so much she cancelled the rest of her trip even though she was only 2 days in and had travelled half way around the world to get there. She lots not only an experience of a lifetime but a lot of money as well!

I also know of a man who had family in Malaysia but he didn’t want to visit them because of his fear of spiders. Unfortunately, his family did not have enough money to visit him in England. He had not seen them in years and sadly his elderly mother passed away without him being able to say goodbye.

Becoming Physically Trapped By The Fear Of Spiders

One of my friends ended up on a coffee table for three hours in his underwear in the middle of winter because of a spider. He refused to move until his housemate came home to help despite being very cold! Another client could not sleep all night when she stayed over at a friends. She had seen a spider crawl under her bed so she slept on the very uncomfortable sofa. Yet another client refused to go into the bathroom because a spider ‘had moved in’ and missed showering for a couple of days! She had no one to help her remove it so she just stopped using that bathroom until someone could come over to help!

Spider Phobia Ruining Relationships

Having a spider phobia can also ruin your relationship! The stress can put a considerable strain on a significant other. Romantic partners have to constantly be the ones to deal with the spider and the panic attacks. Also, their lives are also compromised and made smaller because of their partner’s spider phobia. For example, if travelling is limited it can ruin dreams of seeing the world together.

I did have a client who actually got divorced over her spider phobia. She would keep her husband up all night if there was a spider and it was not caught. She would call him wherever she was and have him come to her and deal with a spider if she was on her own. He had to come in the middle of work once when she was was suddenly caught out with a spider while she was in the bath. The spider was sitting on the bath mat and would not budge. She was in the bath for hours until he could come. Eventually, he had just had enough. This sad ending of their relationship made her realise that it was time to finally face her fear and get over her spider phobia for good. The cost was too high.

Freedom Is Possible

The point is that spiders are everywhere and unavoidable in life. They can pop up anywhere at any time. Though one might think they can just “deal” with having a spider phobia, it is a situation that will continue to limit the quality of life with constant stress, embarrassment and in some circumstances, even danger.

Imagine a life where that burden is no longer there. You can calmly deal with a spider in any situation whether it be brushing it aside, catching and releasing it or simply ignoring it and not feeling any stress. Imagine a life where you are not hindered to go or do anything because you are in control of your emotions.

The good news is that this is fully possible in just one day to get over your fear of spiders. You no longer have to suffer for years in every aspect of your life. Don’t let your life story end up like some of the ones in this article. Creature Courage is the UK’s leading arachnophobia therapists and we are here to help! Find out more about our therapy and get in touch with us today.