To put it into perspective, ABC Diamond posted some interesting statistics last week about snakes and spiders. If I remember correctly, then, on average, only 4 people a year die from snake bites, and there hasn't been a death attributable to a spider bite since 1979!

ABC, if I've quoted you incorrectly, then I'm sorry!

Hope that helps.

S

Dunno how you going to get over your phobia but as I have lived here all my life and alot of it in bush near bush and also in suburbia the only time I have seen snakes is when I went looking for them. As a kid we lived opposite 100 acres and go and find Tiger snakes etc and keep them in our own little zoo.

The chance of you coming across a snake would be the same as winning lotto.

Its not the danger that scares you, its the thing itself, wether its dangerous or not. I cant even have a toy one in the house.

God i hope you are right.

Thanks for your help.
Do you think i can be cured, i have had this as long as i can remember.
I actually live in oz now, and have done for 14 months, i have not seen one yet, but i worry about it every time i step out of the house.
Denise

Ah Denise that's such a shame it's spoiling it for you, seriously get a recommendation from someone - there must be other people who've got through it. Loads of people overcome phobias, no matter how long they've had them for - there's a few people on here that had to deal with spider phobias and the ones I've read that had treatment did really well. There was someone, I can't remember who, who had gone from not being able to look at a picture of a spider to wanting one for a pet by the end of the day.

You'll conquer it Denise, don't let it get to you - just get the right treatment for it.

Yes

I have treated many people myself.

Here is the equivalent Australian organisation:

http://www.aacbt.org/

G

So sorry to hear that you are suffering in this way, Denise.

Don't dismiss this therapist out of hand - you don't say what sort of therapist, btw - if they are personally recommended by someone that has found them effective, that's a good place to start. I just wanted to say that it is not unusual at all for a therapist not to treat members of their own family. In fact, I'd say it's pretty standard. It is too hard to be objective about people you love and I do not know anyone in the *alternative* world who treats their own family except in first aid circumstances.

I would give him a ring and honestly explain your concern. You may find that he tells you the same thing. If he does, it's not a cop-out.

Good luck.

Sue

I know how you feel and I am still in the UK at the moment but heading to Cairns in about a month - everyone seems to mention snakes! Booked a hypnotherapy appointment next week - reckons it will take 2 sessions (they will also help me feel a little easier with the larger spiders at the same sessions). I know someone who has been able to hold a bird eating spider after the session - so it can work. She did say that she is is not a snake-lover but the therapy helps you react in a rational manner if you encounter one. Good luck and i'll let you know how i get on.

Yes i would love to know how you get on.
I never want to hold one, jusy want to be able to handle the situation, when i do see one. My worst fear is driving with the kids in the car, and one crosses the road, how will i react, i just dont know. I wish i had done something about it before i came, but just could not find the time, good for you for sorting it out now. Denise

Likewise I don't want to like snakes but just deal with the situation. The therapist I was speaking to today said she had sorted a bloke out with a snake phobia who was spending a lot of time in Spain - he ended up being sent to sort things out by his partner after he swerved off the road into a ditch because of a snake ahead. After therapy and within 24 hrs of returning to Spain he saw a snake in the garden and was able to move a little closer and watch it rather than running away and again a couple of weeks afterwards when there was one in his house - he couldn't catch it or get too close but was able to watch his partner deal with it (brave lady!!).

Will keep you posted...

Denise I'm not going to tell you that the ****** want to avoid contact with you as much as you want to avoid them cos I know it doesnt make any difference to how you feel about them (thats why a phobia is called and IRRATIONAL fear) I have arachnaphobia and aichmophobia (fear of needles). When I found out I was pregnant that presented a bit of a problem as you can imagine as there was no way they were gonna allow me to escape from all the blood tests etc etc so I went halfheartedly to a hypnotherapist as I just didnt know what else to do. The upshot was that it bloodywell worked! I didnt think it would help and well,put it this way I gave blood for the following 6 years! I still dont have jabs at the dentist mind you, I just point at the offending tooth and they drill it,but I cant stress enough how much its worth just giving it a go.Its true to say these things work on diffreent levels for different people but what have you got to lose? let us know how it goes for you.

[QUOTE=Craigy]I know how you feel and I am still in the UK at the moment
but heading to Cairns in about a month - everyone seems to mention snakes!
(UNQUOTE)


Hi Craigy!


So you are coming to Cairns eh!? Does BIX know?? Maybe we cld say hello!Any help you need - just give us a shout - ok??

I can understand having a phobia as I also dread the 8 legged kind - I do remember before arriving that I in particular was petrified of seeing them! Heard so many 'horror' stories etc, but quite honestly - we have lived in 3 different areas of Cairns in the last 16 months, we are actually now very close to the Rain Forest, and I can honestly say as yet, I haven't seen any BIG 8 legged creatures or live snakes! did see one very DEAD one on the road side though - snake that is! Thats not bad now is it??

The fear for us was worse before we came - now we have been here for a while, yes, I still dont want to see any - but if I do I'll have to try and cope with it I suppose - trouble is - the longer you go on without seeing any, the more blase you become which probably is not a good thing

I think sometimes, the fear of seeing one is probably worse than actually seeing one if you know what I mean!!! Cranni hasn't seen one yet, but is still terrified, bit like me with sppppp... - the mind is a funny thing eh!!

Hope you get the 'help' you need Cranni It would be a shame to give that job away now wouldn't it!!!

So, Craigy, let us know if we can help you in any way on your arrival to Cairns - ok?

CYA

l don't know if this will help your phobia but the Australian Funnel Web spider has enough venom to kill 2 elephants or 20 people

[QUOTE=Bix da Boss] Thanks for that, dont worry i will go to the job, i cant wait.
I have not worked since my youngest whom is 7, so i am ready and cant wait.
I think it makes it worse because i have not seen one yet, maybe if i had seen one when we got here it Might of helped, i really dont know.
The kids have never been allowed toy ones, and would love them not to worry about me, which they do. I will do this and let you all know how i get on. Denise xx