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Arachnophobia is the intense fear of spiders and other arachnids.
Classified as a specific phobia,arachnophobia causes clinically significant distressthat can affect quality of life.
When in contact with or thinking about spiders, people with arachnophobia experience fear and anxiety almost immediately.
Cultura RM / Charles Gullung / Getty Images
Symptoms of arachnophobia may include:
Arachnophobia can affect your quality of life significantly.
For example, you might feelpanic symptomsand discomfort knowing a spider is somewhere in your home.
You mightavoidengaging in outdoor activities such as hiking or picnicking.
Healthcare providers use these criteria to understand your symptoms and determine if you have a specific phobia.
Causes
Traumatic encounters with spiders commonly trigger arachnophobia.
Treatment
Like other specific phobias, arachnophobia is most commonly treated with therapy, particularlycognitive behavioral techniques.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on replacing thenegative automatic thoughtsabout spiders with more rational thoughts.
Techniques may include:
Medications may also be used to treat arachnophobia.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
Arachnophobia is considered a specific phobia, which is a throw in of mental health disorder.
2017;8:1710. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01710
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.
2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X
Cleveland Clinic.Arachnophobia (fear of spiders).
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Ed).
Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
