Rumely answered Sunday October 23 2011, 11:45 pm: If your friend wants your help in overcoming her fear you may be able to do something, but if she doesn't, you are likely to make things worse, and may lose a friend in the bargain. Fears and phobias are often complex things and can be very difficult to overcome.
If her fear is more like discomfort based on lack of familiarity, then perhaps you can help her become better acquainted with them by gradual exposure in a safe environment. Without knowing your friend and the nature of her fear, it is difficult to recommend a specific approach that will help. Whatever you do, though, know when to back off. [ Rumely's advice column | Ask Rumely A Question ]
xXxPuNki-PiXiExXx answered Sunday October 23 2011, 7:43 pm: How about you show her they don't hurt? Like, pick one up and let it crawl over your hand. She'll probably freak out when she sees it, but just stay calm. And they're only caterpillars for a little while until they become butterflies, so maybe if you explain that she'll look at the more as butterflies that squishy crawling bugs.
I find with my fears the best way for me to overcome them is to force myself to conquer them. I had a huge fear of heights throughout high school, but at school camps I decided to do the giant swing and high ropes and now heights don't bother me. This isn't for everyone though, so don't force her to touch the caterpillar. [ xXxPuNki-PiXiExXx's advice column | Ask xXxPuNki-PiXiExXx A Question ]
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