WHAT IS ARACHNOPHOBIA?

Arachnophobia is a strong aversion to spiders.

WHAT SITUATION CAN TRIGGER ARACHNOPHOBIA?

Common triggers include:

Sight of a spider such as in person or in pictures
Sight of a spider web such as in person or in pictures
Thoughts/anticipation about spiders or spider webs
Speaking about spiders or spider webs

WHAT DOES ARACHNOPHOBIA FEEL LIKE?

If you have arachnophobia:

You feel anxious about seeing or thinking about spiders or spider webs. Your anxiety worsens as you get closer to the encounter.
You have trouble concentrating and functioning. You’re consumed by thoughts of spiders. These thoughts keep you up at night.

HOW COMMON IS THIS PHOBIA?

About 3% to 15% of the population has arachnophobia.

WHO GETS THIS PHOBIA?

This phobia usually affects women more than men. Specific phobias such as claustrophobia can arise at any age. However, the majority appear throughout childhood and adolescence.

RELAWHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ARACHNOPHOBIA?

Symptoms of arachnophobia are similar to symptoms of anxiety and a panic attack. You may experience:

Physical symptoms

Sweating or shaking.
Tightness in your chest or rapid heartbeat.
Trouble breathing or breathing fast.
Chills or flushing (red, hot face).
A choking feeling.
Upset stomach or feeling “butterflies” in your stomach.
Dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded.
Dry mouth.
Crying, tantrums, freezing or clinging (symptoms of a specific phobia in children, although adults can experience these symptoms too).

HOW DOES A PERSON WITH ARACHNOPHOBIA TYPICALLY ACT?

If you have any phobia, you may:

Avoid places or situations in which you might experience a spider or spider web or see pictures of them.
Choose to stay where you feel most comfortable and turn down social activities or family and friend gatherings due to your fear.
Scream, run or cry if you see a spider.
Freeze in place because of your fear.

WHAT CAUSES ARACHNOPHOBIA?

What causes this intense fear of spiders isn’t fully understood. Researchers believe causes might include:

A traumatic past experience with a spider.
Childhood exposure to a parent’s phobia. You may develop this phobia if you felt the anxieties of one of your parent’s reactions to spiders.
Family history of anxiety disorders. This could increase your chance of developing a phobia, such as claustrophobia