Carlos Solis
Dr. James O’Genlon says the key to overcoming arachnophobia is surprisingly simple: look at chairs with long legs.
The researcher believes his method is simple and accessible. Moreover, it does not require direct contact with spiders.
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 the spokes of 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 for specialists to treat with standard exposure therapy. Research has even shown that exposure to objects that resemble spiders can reduce our sensitivity to real spiders,” Dr. O’Genlon stated.
He also noted that virtual and augmented reality applications give people the chance to treat arachnophobia without facing 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, seeing a specialist, 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.
Photo: pexels.com
