According to Dr. James O’Genlon, who has authored several books on , the key to overcoming arachnophobia lies in observing chairs with long legs.
The researcher believes his method is simple and accessible. Moreover, it does not require direct contact with the culprits of this common .
While this approach may seem unconvincing to some, studies have shown that viewing objects similar to insects can reduce our sensitivity to them. In the case of spiders, such objects could be chairs with long legs, as reported by Daily Mail. Shopping carts, strollers (which are also “long-legged”), and even spokes in a wheel can work as well.
What did the expert say?
Dr. O’Genlon assured that most spiders are harmless. He finds it “shameful” that the fear of arachnids has become ingrained in our collective psyche. In an interview with BBC Wildlife, the expert emphasized that the positive portrayal of spiders in pop culture is overshadowed by “terrifying images” of these creatures in fantasy series like “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings.”
“The good news is that stories are just stories. Clinically significant arachnophobia is relatively easy to treat by specialists using standard exposure therapy. Research has even shown that exposure to objects that resemble spiders can somewhat reduce our sensitivity to real spiders,” Dr. O’Genlon stated.
He also noted that virtual and augmented reality applications provide people with the opportunity to treat arachnophobia without the need to face a real spider. In his view, severe arachnophobia should not be a burden on people’s lives, and it should not be “exacerbated by unfair urban myths about innocent spiders.”
Dr. O’Genlon reassured: “If we want to, we can change our relationship with spiders.” It just takes a little effort.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, most phobias are treatable. Among the main methods are self-help, consultations with specialists, and medication. “Talking therapy is often very effective for overcoming phobias,” the NHS states. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven to be particularly effective in addressing fears, according to experts from the service.
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