I'm a dreadful coward on planes. Which is too bad as I fly at least twice a month, year around. It's actually falling that bothers me. I'm fine if there's no turbulence. Conversely, I love flying in helicopters- which have a much worse safety record than fixed wing jets. No reason to these things at all.
Wonder what I'd do if I encounter a spider on a plane.
Let us know how you do at the zoo, tk.
(Assuming you haven't exploded).
Wonder what I'd do if I encounter a spider on a plane.
Let us know how you do at the zoo, tk.
(Assuming you haven't exploded).
That's what I had heard. Makes sense.UKBoy1977 said:
People are very funny about the whole concept of hypnosis, but the fact that 'relaxed states' exist is hardly in question, so I don't see why people are so sceptical about this aspect of hypnosis.
Ugh! Sounds unpleasant, but I'm sure in context it is a perfectly logical task.
Like I say I have heard very good things about this course and it sounds very logical.
What? SHUT UP! SHUTUP!
No... oh God no!
*soft whimper*
Nyargghh.... *sound of fainted body hitting floor*
*silence continues...*
Soapy Sam said:
What a horrid thought, being trapped in an enclosed space with a spider. Open a window, quick!
The nearest I came to being 'trapped' was on a party boat in Nottingham last year. The damn boat was infested with 'em, but the partygoers were too drunk to notice that there were creepy-crawlies falling into the barbeque. I sought refuge in the bar area, freaking out but sort of under control, then my husband said to me very firmly but gently "Move. Now." I shot off the chair and looked around...the chair was actually attached to the wall by a network of webs.
Like I say, unlucky.
Update on the spider-in-the-bathroom situation! Mr Tkingdoll has just got home from a conference, tried to get the spider, and it escaped. He tried again just now and it had resurfaced, but legged it again when he went in brandishing the switched-on vacuum cleaner to suck the bastard into oblivion. Which means that I still can't go in there because it might pop out and make me eat it in self-defence or something.
So now he is about to drive me to the 24-hour supermarket so I can take a leak (husband, not the spider). Sigh.
Suffice to say, I've looked up the London Zoo thing on their website http://www.zsl.org/london-zoo/news/scared-of-spiders,20,NS.html and am calling to book tomorrow!
If I haven't died from an exploding bladder by then...
richardm
Philosopher
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- 9,248
I'm actually a lot better with spiders now that I used to be. Why, the other night I actually slept in a room containing a small spider because it seemed silly to fret about it. A few years ago this would have been impossible. I think it's simply because my current lifestyle tends to expose me to more spiders than I used to see, and I'm getting better at ignoring them.
But I won't touch them, horrible things.
Last night a spider appeared walking across the sitting room floor. I alerted my Official Spider Catcher (aka my wife), and she went to catch it. Now, this spider was moving in a fairly orderly manner across the floor, and I was able to sit reasonably calmly watching it (staring at it and trying not to worry, in fact).
But as soon as my wife bent down to pick it up, it sprinted off at an amazing speed. Very remarkable, those hydraulic legs. Almost as remarkable as the speed I recoiled away from it, apparently, lifting myself upwards and sideways off the sofa in one smooth, rapid and frankly panic-stricken movement.
I felt a bit silly afterwards, to be honest, but I couldn't help it
But I won't touch them, horrible things.
tkingdoll said:
Last night a spider appeared walking across the sitting room floor. I alerted my Official Spider Catcher (aka my wife), and she went to catch it. Now, this spider was moving in a fairly orderly manner across the floor, and I was able to sit reasonably calmly watching it (staring at it and trying not to worry, in fact).
But as soon as my wife bent down to pick it up, it sprinted off at an amazing speed. Very remarkable, those hydraulic legs. Almost as remarkable as the speed I recoiled away from it, apparently, lifting myself upwards and sideways off the sofa in one smooth, rapid and frankly panic-stricken movement.
I felt a bit silly afterwards, to be honest, but I couldn't help it
I have been occasionally tempted, but it's not generally a bad enough phobia to cause me many problems.tkingdoll said:
And I did spend the weekend out in the garden where there were quite a few medium size evils spidies. I coped okay.
But thanks for the invite.
The Mighty Thor
Muse
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2003
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- 961
tkingdoll said:What a horrid thought, being trapped in an enclosed space with a spider. Open a window, quick!
The nearest I came to being 'trapped' was on a party boat in Nottingham last year. The damn boat was infested with 'em, but the partygoers were too drunk to notice that there were creepy-crawlies falling into the barbeque. I sought refuge in the bar area, freaking out but sort of under control, then my husband said to me very firmly but gently "Move. Now." I shot off the chair and looked around...the chair was actually attached to the wall by a network of webs.
Like I say, unlucky.
Update on the spider-in-the-bathroom situation! Mr Tkingdoll has just got home from a conference, tried to get the spider, and it escaped. He tried again just now and it had resurfaced, but legged it again when he went in brandishing the switched-on vacuum cleaner to suck the bastard into oblivion. Which means that I still can't go in there because it might pop out and make me eat it in self-defence or something.
So now he is about to drive me to the 24-hour supermarket so I can take a leak (husband, not the spider). Sigh.
Suffice to say, I've looked up the London Zoo thing on their website http://www.zsl.org/london-zoo/news/scared-of-spiders,20,NS.html and am calling to book tomorrow!
If I haven't died from an exploding bladder by then...
You have a good sense of humour, Tracy. I wish you luck and hope you will let us know how you get on after the desensitizing course. I tend to think that, although fear of house spiders is irrational (in that they can't hurt us except by scaring us to death) arachnophobia has a rational basis. It might be innate -- fear of things that crawl and slither. It might be learned behaviour - learned from other arachnophobics' reactions. This seems similar to 'fear of ghosts' and 'bogey men' learned from others in childhood by spooky stories etc. In a group, if someone freaks out and appears to be terrified, the others get anxious and begin to share the terror.
The black against light, the rapid movement, the quick escaping, hiding, lurking -- it's easy to see how you resent them intruding into your safe place, your home. Of course, we are wrongly attributing anthropomorphic principles and motives to the species by thinking this way.
No matter what, spiders are harming you, as you admit. The course sounds like a way of, at the very least, lessening your fears. I've heard that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is very effective for phobias. Of course, in the UK, you'd need (I think) to be referred by your GP, and I suspect you might find it hard telling your GP about your fear in the first place, although you shouldn't.
There have been a few programmes on UK TV that looked at phobias. I guess they might come up on Discovery Channel or similar. So, worth looking out for them. But don't let this phobia continue to control your life. And -- after that brave instruction, I admit that, personally, I'm scared stiff of the little b'stards too. Good luck!
The Mighty Thor said:You have a good sense of humour, Tracy. I wish you luck and hope you will let us know how you get on after the desensitizing course. I tend to think that, although fear of house spiders is irrational (in that they can't hurt us except by scaring us to death) arachnophobia has a rational basis. It might be innate -- fear of things that crawl and slither. It might be learned behaviour - learned from other arachnophobics' reactions. This seems similar to 'fear of ghosts' and 'bogey men' learned from others in childhood by spooky stories etc. In a group, if someone freaks out and appears to be terrified, the others get anxious and begin to share the terror.
There have been a few programmes on UK TV that looked at phobias. I guess they might come up on Discovery Channel or similar. So, worth looking out for them. But don't let this phobia continue to control your life. And -- after that brave instruction, I admit that, personally, I'm scared stiff of the little b'stards too. Good luck!
Thanks! I need a sense of humour with all the craziness going on. And thank you also for the words of support, it really means a lot. Everyone has been so lovely
I would check out the TV for helpful programmes but I don't have an aerial! Our TV set is strictly for watching DVDs and gaming. But thanks for the tip, I might check out my rental list to see if there are any documentaries I can hire.
So, I called the London Zoo people this morning and I am booked in for 6th August, which is only a few weeks away. I will definitely be letting everyone know how it went, I'll see if I can get a few photos too (maybe me holding a spider, who knows what 'magic' will happen?).
Hey, RichardM, did you know if you catch a house spider and put it outside, it will almost definitely die? They just can't live outdoors. So next time, tell your wife to stamp on the bugger and put it out of it's misery!
richardm
Philosopher
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tkingdoll said:
Nice one! Good luck with it!
Hey, RichardM, did you know if you catch a house spider and put it outside, it will almost definitely die? They just can't live outdoors. So next time, tell your wife to stamp on the bugger and put it out of it's misery!
Quite frankly I regard it as being an object lesson pour encourager les autres to keep out of my god-damned way.
They started it!
Anyway... where did they live before houses were invented?
Ririon
Cool cat
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A bit off the topic, but since arachnaphobes willing to try anything may be reading this: The ultrasound gadgets don't work. Not for spiders, not for mosquitos, not for anything. Just so you know.
And: Buying furniture in garage sales is probably not a good idea for people scared of spiders. I inadvertently bought a black widow a year ago. Complete with an impressive sack of eggs. All hidden in my nice leather chair... If I wasn't such a neat freak insisting on vacuuming and washing all my "new" furniture... Well, I don't like to think about it.
Anyway, a few shivers, some cold sweat and a well aimed whack with a large wooden object (with enough force to kill something the size of a cat), and the problem was solved.
And of course:
Good luck, tkingdoll and all you other scared people out there.
Ririon
Edited for your convenience
And: Buying furniture in garage sales is probably not a good idea for people scared of spiders. I inadvertently bought a black widow a year ago. Complete with an impressive sack of eggs. All hidden in my nice leather chair... If I wasn't such a neat freak insisting on vacuuming and washing all my "new" furniture... Well, I don't like to think about it.
Anyway, a few shivers, some cold sweat and a well aimed whack with a large wooden object (with enough force to kill something the size of a cat), and the problem was solved.
And of course:
Good luck, tkingdoll and all you other scared people out there.
Ririon
Edited for your convenience
roger said:
I read it on a website, when I was looking for evidence to prove to my grandmother that spiders don't crawl up the bath plughole.
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/spidermyth/myths/comein.html
"Although some house spider species can survive outdoors, most don't do well there, and some (which are native to other climates) will perish rather quickly when removed from the protective indoor habitat. You're not doing them a favor. "
Re-reading that, it's not as black and white as I made it look, but the 'almost definitely' caveat is close enough.
I think they live in walls etc so 'coming indoors' doesn't necessarily mean from outside.
Ririon, I agree, anecdotally, that the ultrasound gadgets don't work. I spent a fortune on them for my last house, one for every room plus a 'master' one (yes, I know I sound gullible but I was desperate). I even found spiders sitting directly next to the little machine, so much for that.
I think there was a lawsuit against one manufacturer for claiming they work on spiders, but plenty still do claim that so who knows?
Jeff Corey
New York Skeptic
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Slight derail - years ago the guy who ran our student center cafeteria brought an untrasound device to keep stray dogs out. He asked me to test it and I got some raw hambuger from the kitchen and showed him the dogs didn't care about the "ultrasound".
I always thought that the "ultrasound" thing was a great hustle, because you'd have to have the equipment to measure it.
I always thought that the "ultrasound" thing was a great hustle, because you'd have to have the equipment to measure it.
Ririon
Cool cat
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Who knows? If I was a cynic, I would say the guys who sell them to desperate people and evidently make more money than they have to pay out in law suits.tkingdoll said:
And anybody who puts these gadgets to the test against any pesky pest, of course. Including yourself and Jeff Corey, I see.
I was saw a BBC TV program about a woman who got cured of her severe phobia of birds (I think the show was called 'phobias' or something).
She saw some kind of doc who talked to her about being aware of the bodies response but more about how it calms down when exposed to the item over time.
It was a remarkable program, I will try and post some details if I find it..
She saw some kind of doc who talked to her about being aware of the bodies response but more about how it calms down when exposed to the item over time.
It was a remarkable program, I will try and post some details if I find it..
Here you go. The lady's name was Jackie if you look down the page....
http://www.srmhp.org/archives/review-phobias.html
http://www.srmhp.org/archives/review-phobias.html
Great thread! I, too, am scared of spiders. You can get spray stuff to spray around doors etc... to deter ants. I have found (maybe its wishful thinking though) that this also deters spiders. When it gets to the lots-of-big-spiders time of the year I regularly carry out an 'incey-patrol' armed with my bottle of ant-spray. I spray around door frames, air grills and any other place that I think would be a likely spider entrance as well as other strategic places such as along skirting boards and behind the toilet.
Any actual 'inceys' that I enounter on my patrol also get a spray of the stuff. The drill goes something like this:
- Estimate maximum range of spray.
- Locate myself at that distance plus arms length from the incey.
- Point the spray gun in the right direction.
- Stretch out spray arm towards incey.
- Look away ('cause it isn't half going to run when it gets a dose)
- Press the trigger.
- Drop the spray gun.
- Run away at least 10 yards (and out of sight of the incey).
- Recover.
- Tentatively venture back to retrieve the spray.
- Kick the spray bottle over with my foot first to make sure the incey isn't clinging to the other side of it.
- Pickup spray and continue patrol.
Killing them is pretty traumatising because it means you have to touch something that's touching them (you know what I mean). However - we all know that you can't really trust someone else to do it for you especially if they're not scared.
Anyway - hope the therapy works (you wouldn't catch me doing it though).
Any actual 'inceys' that I enounter on my patrol also get a spray of the stuff. The drill goes something like this:
- Estimate maximum range of spray.
- Locate myself at that distance plus arms length from the incey.
- Point the spray gun in the right direction.
- Stretch out spray arm towards incey.
- Look away ('cause it isn't half going to run when it gets a dose)
- Press the trigger.
- Drop the spray gun.
- Run away at least 10 yards (and out of sight of the incey).
- Recover.
- Tentatively venture back to retrieve the spray.
- Kick the spray bottle over with my foot first to make sure the incey isn't clinging to the other side of it.
- Pickup spray and continue patrol.
Killing them is pretty traumatising because it means you have to touch something that's touching them (you know what I mean). However - we all know that you can't really trust someone else to do it for you especially if they're not scared.
Anyway - hope the therapy works (you wouldn't catch me doing it though).
hodgy said:
What exactly are you spraying them with?
What I use have given me something like these stats over the last year or so:
Code:
Critter Kills Observed time til death
Ants Thousands 0-5sec
Roaches >100 1-5min
Dogs* 4 2-10min
Spiders 0 Still living after 3 days of grace, shoe-time!And yes, I have sprayed quite a number of spiders. Given them an unhealthy dose, in fact. Just doesn't seem to do anything but piss them off (they get absolutely hyper for a while, then they just keep going on with their business as if nobody just emptied a large spray-can of industrial strength poison in their eyes.
Mosquito
*Well, not really, but I think it would work, should they keep trying to give me a heart attack. Self defence, I tell ya!