Did you ever wonder why spiders and snakes cause such fear and loathing?

By David McClelland

Let's face it, spiders and snakes are not our favorite creatures. They are not creatures that one normally wants to get close to. My mother was deathly afraid of snakes and tried hard to avoid them. Even a picture of a snake caused her to turn away. A lot of people share her phobia. She didn't like spiders either, but her dislike of spiders didn't amount to a phobia.

I did some research and learned that some people's phobia's concerning these creatures create havoc in their daily lives. Some can't leave home without wearing protective clothing against spiders. Others develop elaborate coping techniques, such as sending someone ahead of them into an unfamiliar environment to make sure the dreaded creatures aren't lurking there. For some, their phobias can cause a panic attack. Their fear disrupts their ability to function normally in their daily routines.

Where these fears come from is still debated. There is the "ick" factor. Spiders and snakes make some people's skin crawl. If you have such a phobia, it is very real to you and you aren't likely to be talked out of it by reasoning.

Some writers believe that parents, who fear one or both of these creatures, may pass that fear along to their young children. Others conclude that such fears are innate.

I did not inherit my mother's fears. I do have what I believe to be a rational fear of poisonous snakes and avoid them at all costs, but I don't fear spiders.

How about you? Do you have a real fear of either spiders or snakes? If so, is your fear rational and how do you cope?