Entomophobia- Fear of Insects.
Treatment-Signs-Symptoms of Entomophobia:
Entomophobia is the fear of insects. Characterized as intense fear and anxiety seeing or thinking about an insect. There are many different types of phobias that exist. We might commonly think of fears related to spiders, clowns or flying. This fear is out of proportion to an actual threat. The fear can lead to physical reactions to distress for example avoidance. Below are some common signs and symptoms of entomophobia as well as treatment options.
Signs of Entomophobia:
Extreme fear and responses to fear.
High levels of avoidance- avoidance of insects/media of insects.
Significant social/functional impairment from the phobia.
Hypervigilance.
Constant on guard, rearranging life to limit the possibility of being near insects.
Symptoms of Entomophobia:
Avoiding certain places.
Avoiding saying or hearing the words “insect”, “bug”, “cockroach”.
Avoiding insect scenes on television or in movies.
Avoiding garbage and other foul-smelling or dirty things.
Excessive handwashing.
You restrict or avoid travel, school, work, and social activities.
Causes of Entomophobia:
Family history of phobias.
Mental health disorders- Anxiety or OCD.
Environmental factors.
Unpleasant past experiences with insects.
Treatment for Entomophobia:
Entomophobia, and other phobias can be treated with exposure and response prevention (ERP). Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) looks at the idea that triggering situations and thoughts are at the core of the fears. Ongoing exposure to these triggers without engagement in rituals can reduce the severity felt. As a licensed mental health therapist trained in ERP, I will assist you through the exposures and how to implement effective response prevention measures. If you feel that Entomophobia has had a negative impact on your life, you might consider counseling and ERP to learn how to handle it more effectively. Please feel free to reach out for a free consultation, where we can discuss impacts of Entomophobia and benefits of counseling/ERP.
Exposure Examples for Entomophobia:
Playing with insect toys.
Pictures of insects.
Videos of insects
Finding insects outside.
Exposures are done gradually and collaboratively. Together you and I will look to develop a list of exposures, while further implementing response prevention measures to address the fears. You can learn to face the fears and not have them control you. Phobias have the potential to take power and control away from us. With the right treatment, you can learn to get back what was taken away by phobias.
