Member Since: June 29, 2013
Answers: 1
Last Update: June 29, 2013
Visitors: 487
|
| |
I have looked around the internet for answers to this question, WHY am I afraid of caterpillars, and HOW do I conquer my phobia?
All I have found is stupid little girls saying "eeew they are so gross! how do i get over my fear?" Well, first thing, I don't think they are "Gross" or "Icky" I think they are absolutely horrifying. And I mean it. They scare the heck out of me, not gross me out or disgust me, but they terrify me. I can't look at a picture of one without having that mini-heart attack and feeling dizzy. If I see one in real life, I automatically scream and run, and sometimes I can't stop myself from crying when I see one. Just hearing someone talk about caterpillars frightens me, and then I am paranoid all day and I continuously check the ground for them.
This is a serious phobia and a serious question so I would appreciate it if I didn't get any answers saying "Aaww get over it they are little and slow and cute!" Because that doesnt really help me.
I have read on the internet that I could go to a therapist, hypnotist, or do other things such as just be in the same room as one and gradually make my way closer until I am not scared any more. This seems like a good idea, but I am mostly interested in WHY I am afraid of caterpillars.
BTW, this fear has gone on for years, and I have had many many nightmares about caterpillars. Last night I had a nightmare that there were caterpillars everywhere I turned and when I tired to walk around them they just kept appearing infront of me.
I have once had a bad dream that caterpillars were all over my yard. In the dream I was sitting outside with my Mum and Sister, then there were a few caterpillars on the floor, then more started to appear, and by then I was terrified, then they were EVERYWHERE. They were FLYING (like caterpillars with little butterfly wings) and HOPPING at me (like springs or grass hoppers). I was running around trying to get away from them and then eventually I woke up.
I am not afraid of butterflies or any flying bugs, I am kind of frightened by creepy-crawly bugs, but nothing scares me like caterpillars.
If it helps, I also have an extreme fear of heights (I can't sit on something that is two meters tall) and I can't look up at a tall building without almost fainting.
Please help answer: Why am I afraid of caterpillars? Also, does having nightmares about caterpillars mean anything?
Thank you. (link)
|
Believe me, I have the same problem. I have a terrible fear of them, the sight of them makes me run, scream, cry, and hyperventilate. I've been trying to get over it, but I can't get to horrible thought out of my head. I know how you feel, one day I thought if I were forced, would I rather swim in a pool of caterpillars or die, and I honestly couldn't decide. I've tried MANY thing, even trying to get close to one, but I really couldn't.
Anyways, on to your question. Many fears are caused by bad childhood memories that you had with them. If this is not it, it may just be how they look that frightens you. For example, the reason I hate caterpillars is because when I was very young, I ran into my friends woods, and caterpillars were EVERYWHERE. My friends mother had clans of them for studying, but everywhere I turned hung caterpillars on thread. Also when I was standing under a tree, I looked down at my shirt and a BIG caterpillar was crawling up my shirt. I always imagine that picture when thinking of caterpillars. See, I had bad memories. Maybe you could try replacing them with good memories, if possible. That may be why you're scared of them though.
|
|
Rating: 5
|
Thanks, you're answer was really useful.
Since I wrote this my fear has died down a lot, but I still get a start when I see one, like a jump in my chest, but other than that I've improved a lot. I want to tell you some tricks that helped me, so I can help you like you helped me:
I found that mentally talking to myself about it helped, for example, when I'd see one I'd say "It really can't hurt you or come toward you at all, and you could just squash it. Even if it was on you or in your hand you could squash it." Knowing and feeling like I was bigger than them helped a lot. The key is really convincing ourselves, like we convinced ourselves that there is something frightening about them, that they're ok.
Also, but it helped me to say 'I have a fear of caterpillars' rather than 'caterpillars are scary/gross/frightening'. This helped me re-assure myself that it is an irrational fear, which can be overcome.
Eventually I noticed my fear dying down a bit, and I found its really important to acknowledge when you're improving. So it went from 'I have an extreme fear of caterpillars' to 'My fear of caterpillars is much less intense now'. Believing that it can get better helps.
Also, its really important to tell *others* when you're less afraid. Did you feel like when you told people about it, they found it so funny they had to point out caterpillars to you, or pretend there was one on you? I had people who did this to me. For example, I went camping with friends. One of my friend knew about my fear, and felt the need to point every caterpillar out to me, while also making a massive drama about it (WATCH OUT A CATERPILLAR!!). Despite this being rude, it actually helped because the first time she did it I realised I wasn't actually freaked out about it. I almost didn't care at all, and I could say "I don't care" and really mean it. Pretending you're not afraid won't help but if you find that one day you see one and its not as scary as usual, then acknowledge it.
Last but not least, I told myself over and over again that they're just other bugs. I actually like other bugs, and don't mind spiders, so telling myself its just like any other bug made a HUGE difference.
I hope this helped you, because you helped me. I realised I do have a lot of scary memories (similar to yours!) about caterpillars. Like running into a bunch of them hanging down from a tree, and sitting beneath a tree and finding one crawling on me.
Thanks again and I hope this wasn't too long. :)
If you want to talk about our shared fear of caterpillars, my username is 05natalie05.
|
|