How to Overcome the Fear of Bugs

If you or someone you know has a fear of bugs, there are a number of methods you can use to overcome the fear. Individuals may find some of the methods work better for them than others, so try a few ideas to see which works best for you. Although some insects are venomous, there are many species that are completely harmless, yet many people suffer an irrational fear of them. This might simply mean screaming when you see a bug in the house, but in extreme cases the anxiety can prevent affected individuals from going outside. Phobias can be cured using methods such as hypnotherapy.

Instructions

• 1

  Put your fear into perspective by reminding yourself that lots of bugs only bite as a way of protecting themselves. Bugs such as spiders are generally afraid of creatures larger than themselves, including humans, and will try to keep away from people as much as possible.

• 2

  Sit and watch a bug if you see one, instead of running away. Notice that the bug will not chase you. Instead it will most likely ignore you or run away from you. Move slightly closer to the bug if you feel you can. You should feel your confidence in the situation grow each time you manage to achieve this, which will in turn help you to overcome your fear.

• 3

  Purchase a toy bug and leave it somewhere in your house. This should be a place where you spend quite a lot of time, such as the living room or the kitchen. The object of this exercise is to get to the point where you no longer pay the bug any attention, which will happen once you get used to the toy being there. Some people who are afraid of bugs can feel too afraid to touch a toy replica. As you feel yourself becoming more confident and less afraid, move the toy around to different locations within the house to get used to seeing it without feeling afraid.

• 4

  Find a hypnotherapist in your area and arrange a session. Always ask to see the therapist's qualification certificate to ensure that they are qualified to perform hypnotherapy. According to the website AvonHynotherapy, this practice can be used to change the negative feelings that your mind associates with bugs into positive feelings. You can find your local hypnotherapists online.