How to Overcome a Fear of Insects

Entomophobia is the medical term for having an irrational fear of insects. Someone with entomophobia may panic, scream, feel terror, having a raised heart rate, feel dizzy and even faint in the presence of a bug. Entomophobia is believed to be either the result of a traumatic past experience or of genetic disposition. It is a serious condition that prevents people from experiencing and enjoying life. Being scared to encounter a tiny insect can hold sufferers back from the beauty of nature, traveling and even leaving the house.

Things You'll Need

• Trained trusted psychotherapist

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Instructions

• 1

  Acknowledge that you have an irrational fear of insects. Realize that it is holding you back and preventing you from enjoying life. Decide to overcome you fear of insects.

• 2

  Visit a psychotherapist to discuss your phobia. Psychotherapy is the process through you meet with a trained therapist to discuss your phobia in a safe environment. The therapist will ask you questions about your fear, how it began and why you believe you feel the way you do. Discussing the phobia with a trained professional will make you aware of your feelings, how and why they developed. Through self-observation you will become cognizant of your thought and behavior patterns. This is the first step to overcoming your fear.

• 3

  Continue with psychotherapy visits. The benefits of psychotherapy increase gradually over time. By continuing work on yourself with a therapist you will soon come to terms with your phobia and reach a place where you are able to take action to counteract it.

• 4

  Begin behavioral therapy techniques. Depending on your particular case, the therapist will select appropriate technique for you. Behavioral techniques reinforce the realizations you have made and put them into action. They make gradual changes in your behavior until you are able to fully face your fear. Behavioral therapy techniques may include exposure therapy, breathing techniques and systematic desensitization.

• 5

  Take small amounts of prescribed anti-anxiety medication as a last resort. Anti-anxiety medications can lead to dependency and addiction. If you must take medication, do so along with your therapy so that as you progress on your own you can let go of the need to medicate.