By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

ARACHNOPHOBIA MORE COMMON IN THOSE OF EUROPEAN ANCESTRY

Question: My teenage daughter has developed an intense fear of spiders. In fact, every time she sees a bug of any type, she thinks it’s a spider and starts to scream and run into another room. What causes this fear, and what can be done to help her?

Answer: The fear of spiders is more prevalent in those of European descent. Apparently, this is because in the Middle Ages Europeans noted that spiders were often found in the thatched roofs of houses near black rats. This may have been one of the reasons that Europeans started to believe that spiders were the source of the plague. It was actually fleas that carried the plague from the rats to humans, but this was not discovered until many centuries later. This negative attitude toward spiders was apparently passed down in European families. In many non-European cultures, spiders are actually considered signs of good luck.

A mild aversion to spiders because of one’s cultural heritage or other factors is generally not a major problem. But an intense reaction like your daughter’s is called a phobia. The specific type of phobia she has -- fear of spiders -- is called is called arachnophobia. It is more common, probably for the reasons discussed, in those with European heritage.

A phobia can be defined as an intense fear of an event, object or feeling. The fear is so intense that it causes a person to change his or her behavior. Phobias -- which affect 10 to 20 percent of the adult population -- are actually a kind of anxiety disorder.

Arachnophobia is classified by psychologists as a specific phobia, also called a simple phobia. These types of phobias involve the fear of an object or situation, such as fear of spiders, snakes, dogs, animals, heights, small spaces or flying. The phobia can be so severe that it changes a person’s life. A person who is phobic about flying either never travels by plane, or seeks medical attention for help with the problem.

Social phobias are another common type of phobia. These involve a fear of embarrassment or humiliation in social situations. Sometimes this is limited to specific situations, like stage fright, or it may be generalized to any social setting. These phobias also alter behavior, usually through avoidance of a social setting. This causes people to miss important events like school plays, company picnics or meetings at which they might be asked to make a report or otherwise participate. In some cases, the sufferer might also avoid eating in public or shun the use public restrooms. Oftentimes, people with social phobia use alcohol to try and help them cope with their fears.

Medication is available for all types of phobias, and most sufferers respond well to treatment. Psychotherapy can also be very effective, especially in the case of specific phobias. So, I’d recommend that you ask your family doctor for the proper referral to help your daughter deal with her fear of spiders.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.