How to cure a phobia?
#1
How to cure a phobia?
Hi
Didn't want to hijack the other thread about hypnosis, but just wondered if anyone had successfully 'cured' a phobia and how it was done?
I have a phobia of snakes, which has got worse as I have got older (I'm sure OH will be on later to take the pee ), and I really don't want it to mar our experience of living in Aus (if we get there).
I am not interested in being able to touch them, but it would be nice to be able to look at least look at a picture without flinching and turning the page and to know that if I happened to see one in reality, I wouldn't be left a gibbering wreck
Luckily, the LOs haven't picked up on my phobia. If anything, they seem to delight in taking the mick (not learned from their father of course)
So, over to you
Didn't want to hijack the other thread about hypnosis, but just wondered if anyone had successfully 'cured' a phobia and how it was done?
I have a phobia of snakes, which has got worse as I have got older (I'm sure OH will be on later to take the pee ), and I really don't want it to mar our experience of living in Aus (if we get there).
I am not interested in being able to touch them, but it would be nice to be able to look at least look at a picture without flinching and turning the page and to know that if I happened to see one in reality, I wouldn't be left a gibbering wreck
Luckily, the LOs haven't picked up on my phobia. If anything, they seem to delight in taking the mick (not learned from their father of course)
So, over to you
#2
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: How to cure a phobia?
Hi
Didn't want to hijack the other thread about hypnosis, but just wondered if anyone had successfully 'cured' a phobia and how it was done?
I have a phobia of snakes, which has got worse as I have got older (I'm sure OH will be on later to take the pee ), and I really don't want it to mar our experience of living in Aus (if we get there).
I am not interested in being able to touch them, but it would be nice to be able to look at least look at a picture without flinching and turning the page and to know that if I happened to see one in reality, I wouldn't be left a gibbering wreck
Luckily, the LOs haven't picked up on my phobia. If anything, they seem to delight in taking the mick (not learned from their father of course)
So, over to you
Didn't want to hijack the other thread about hypnosis, but just wondered if anyone had successfully 'cured' a phobia and how it was done?
I have a phobia of snakes, which has got worse as I have got older (I'm sure OH will be on later to take the pee ), and I really don't want it to mar our experience of living in Aus (if we get there).
I am not interested in being able to touch them, but it would be nice to be able to look at least look at a picture without flinching and turning the page and to know that if I happened to see one in reality, I wouldn't be left a gibbering wreck
Luckily, the LOs haven't picked up on my phobia. If anything, they seem to delight in taking the mick (not learned from their father of course)
So, over to you
Might be worth visiting a reptile centre to see if acquiring a bit of knowledge on the species might rationalise how you are feeling. Just a thought
#3
Re: How to cure a phobia?
What you describe as a phobia .... Cringing. And turning the page isnt really a phobia, yet... Does you heart race? Are you unable to physically move coz you think its going to jump out at you? are you unable to go about your usual daily activities becuase you're thinking abount them constantly... DOES THE THOUGHT OF SNAKES STOP YOU LIVING YOUR LIFE??????
Snakes kill... Its healthy to have that reaction to them... If you we 'naturally curious'.... You might get bitten...
Snakes kill... Its healthy to have that reaction to them... If you we 'naturally curious'.... You might get bitten...