Welcome to the A-to-Z challenge 2012. As previously mentioned, you're going to see a post from me just about every day this month. And we'll begin with something that's going to ruin my night.
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| Oh. My. (found at brown-recluse-spiders.net) |
I am arachnophobic, which means I'm terrified of eight-legged killing machines. In fact, I'm so scared of spiders that I can't... even... look at pictures of them, which is why you have this picture of a brown recluse's bite instead of a spider here. The fear is mostly irrational, since they usually won't truly hurt me, but the picture demonstrates that there is a valid reason for being terrified of spiders (and scorpions, which are included in the disorder).
"If arachnophobics see a spider, they may not enter the general vicinity
until they have overcome the panic attack that is often associated with
their phobia. Some people scream, cry, have trouble breathing, excess
sweating or even heart trouble when they come in contact with an area
near spiders or their webs. In some extreme cases, even a picture or a
realistic drawing of a spider can also trigger fear. Arachnophobics may
also be afraid if they are touched by or touch an object that feels like
a spider." - Wikipedia
For me, it means that if I see a web, I'll stay away from the area as much as possible. If I see a spider on the floor, I'll jump up onto as high a place as far away as I can and freeze up, unable to move, let alone kill it or shoo it out the door, my eyes locked on it. I sometimes cry out, but I'm usually just trying not to hyperventilate. My husband is my spider-slayer at home, so when he's not there, I'm begging my cat to go kill it while I freak out. Luckily, we live on the second floor of our apartment building and bugs are generally not a problem. I'm not the worst arachnophobe our there, so I'll still pick tomatoes from the garden without panicking... at least, as long as I haven't seen any webs or spiders. If I have, you're picking those tomatoes on your own. *shudder*
Okay, done. Whew.
-Tsira
I must admit, I'm not a fan of spiders either, but I'm not this terrified.
ReplyDeleteJust keep people around to get rid of the nasty buggers :)
I pretty much do. The only time I'm really ever alone is when my husband has work and I don't, which leaves me with just my kitty for protection.
DeleteWe don't have any poisonous spiders and the ones we have are not that big so I just leave them alone.I would be terrified of big ones and run the other way.
ReplyDeleteGasp, really? Where do you live? Here in Salt Lake we have Black Widows, Brown Recluse, and Hobo spiders. Geh. My little sister caught a Hobo just to see how long it would live.
DeleteIt sat in a jar for a month, and every time I walked by it tried to kill me. Finally one of my brothers decided to get rid of it--I sure wanted to long before that, but I wasn't about to touch that jar!
I remember that. That was so crazy how long that thing was still alive.
DeleteMy husband and three young sons all know the "mommy saw a spider" yelp. While it doesn't induce a panic attack, there are days when I just simply cannot deal with them... and others when I can hold them in my hand (especially if a spider is threatening a loved one). Spiders outside don't usually bother me, since I'M invading THEIR space.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I am surrounded by spider slayers who know to get rid of them before I even know they're there.
I have a little bit better time when I'm outside than when I'm inside. I can appreciate what they do... I just don't want to see them. Ever.
DeleteDude. Why'd you put that picture up? Seriously. Ick... ;)
ReplyDeleteIn my MS, I have a mutated spider that's as big as a person's head. It's pretty neat, but...you know...totally gross. Lol.
The comment worked just fine for me... hm. But I wanted a visual 'ick' but I tried looking up an image of a spider and started freaking out when I saw them, so... the bite worked much better.
DeleteAnd eww. Oh gosh, that makes me think of Shelob. *eek!*
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ReplyDeleteBut just think, without spiders we wouldn't have Spiderman!
ReplyDeleteSpiderman is pretty awesome, I have to admit. :)
DeleteFor a long time I used to be arachnophobic much like you. Then one day I found I could squash them. Once I discovered that fact, nothing could stop my incessant desire to rid of those eight-legged creatures!
ReplyDeleteHowever, nowadays, I leave them to do their job...and that's to clean the house of the insects that are true pests (like ants, flys, centipedes, etc.). I just find it interesting that such a small creature could cause so much anxiety...even in me who used to be afraid of them!!! :)
Yeah, it's an irrational fear, and I know that, but it doesn't seem to help me. And squashing them scares me, too. I can feel them crunch!
DeleteMy little sister used to smash them with her bare hand! I could never do that.
Not a big fan of spiders either....unlucky for me since the house I live in seems to get them on a pretty frequent basis. Someone once told me that catnip deters spiders, I wonder if it's true.
ReplyDeleteThat would be an interesting remedy. Cats deter them, at least. My kitty's brother was really good at catching and eating them. I would love it if he was still around to do that... :(
DeleteThat picture almost make me scared to death of spiders!!
ReplyDeleteI should probably say that this happening is pretty rare. Apparently the kind of spider that does this, the Brown Recluse(which lives where I do, yikes) doesn't usually release venom when it bites people. But when it does, the skin around the bite dies. I've heard of little kids dying from it. Yes, a spider bite can kill you--but rarely.
DeleteOh wow. That is so disgusting. I don't know if I'm scared enough of spiders to be phobic, but I must be close.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? Eww.
DeleteI'm right with you on this one! I *hate, hate, hate!* spiders and generally anything with more than 4 legs is NOT considered friendly! You are a brave woman for making this your first post! I'm intrigued to see what the next 25 will be. :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha, I don't feel very brave. I'm terrified by pictures of them, so...
DeleteI love spiders! Even made a giant plushie one last year :D From reading your post and people's comments I'm thinking that may not be normal...
ReplyDeleteCame here from A-Z. :-)
Eww! But you're not alone. I mean, people buy tarantulas, so there have to be others who are as fascinated by them as you are.
DeleteComment number 21! Woo!
ReplyDeleteThat picture is super nasty! Obviously, I really hope that never happens to me in the course of my spider-slaying... I might have to dress up in full body armor next time I meet one of the little fiends in battle.
Hey, now, I need you to be brave for me... ;)
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