10 Common Fears & Phobias
10. Arachnophobia (Fear of Spiders)
Arachnophobia refers to an intense fear of spiders and, like fear of snakes, it is common. It is estimated that almost 20% of men and 50% of women have fears when it comes to spiders. For those with a phobia, anxiety can occur with even the thought of spiders, and avoidance of certain situations is common. As with other phobias, common symptoms include excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, fast heart rate and rapid breathing. People with arachnophobia will also often be more alert and may check for spiders before going to bed, getting in the shower or sitting outside.
One cause may be cultural, as some parts of the world fear spiders while others do not. Another cause is a negative event that someone experienced in the past. A common treatment method is systemic desensitization to help someone cope with the anxiety and fear.
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