In recent weeks worried householders have been bombarding social media sites with images of unusually large spiders found in homes across Northern Ireland. This has fuelled fears that the long-legged creatures (the biggest have a 6inch leg span and can run at 30k per hour!) may be dangerous and has caused alarm among those with Spider Phobia.

 

Scientists at the Agri-Food & Bioscience Institute have dismissed the fears as unfounded, stating the spiders are bigger now because they are living longer as the reduction in the use of insecticides leaves plenty of flies for them to feed on. They have also pointed out that spiders come indoors at this time of year to seek shelter and a mate and that the popularity of wooden and laminated floors makes it much more likely that we will see and hear spiders which would previously have been hidden in coloured carpets.

 

As is the case with all anxieties, to overcome Spider Phobia you have to face your fear. Be brave, follow this five step guide and embrace our eight legged friends!

 

Step 1: Recognise your fear as irrational.

 

Step 2: Challenge the irrational thoughts that are fuelling the fear (for example, It will bite me; It is dangerous) by asking ‘Is that 100% true?’ ‘Do I have evidence to support my thought or do I have evidence that contradicts it?’ ‘Am I exaggerating the probability that my thought may be true?

 

Step 3: Get to know the enemy. Much of what you think you know about spiders is likely to be based on myth, irrational fears and hearsay. Research house spiders and find out as much factual information as you can.

 

Step 4: Overcome avoidance: It’s perfectly natural to want to avoid something that frightens us and in the short time avoidance may provide some relief, however, avoidance prevents us from learning that a.) nothing awful happens and b.) we can manage our anxiety.

 

Step 5: Face your fear. Gradually build up to getting up close and personal with a spider. You could begin by looking at pictures of house spiders; then perhaps watching them on a nature programme; challenge yourself to hold a plastic spider; try to stay in the same room as a spider for 10 minutes; you could hold a spider in a glass jar and then, when you’re brave enough hold a spider friend gently in the palm of your hand.