How to Face Your Summer Phobias

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Creepy Crawlies

It’s hot, it’s humid and it’s outdoors. No matter how much repellent or insecticide you use, you can’t avoid the dreaded 6 or 8-legged cretins from creeping up on you, crawling up your legs or falling from the ceiling. The fear of insects, bugs, pests or whatever you call it, is the most common and most maddening of phobias. Known as entomophobia this fear comes from the knowledge or experience of getting bitten or stung. Most of us are afraid of bugs and insects because we’ve been misinformed about the true nature of their danger.

Face It! The best way to overcome this phobia is through education. An expert (like a friendly biology teacher) may be able to dispel any misconceptions you have about certain insects to calm the phobia. If insects are put in a more positive light, it may work to help you with phobias that have been passed on by other people or by past experiences. If you’re feeling up to it then tack]e the problem head on and read books about insects and bugs, concentrating on their pictures. Understanding your object of fear is the first step toward conquering it.

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Birds

You’re out enjoying the sun or you’re having a relaxed walk in the park. Suddenly you get attacked by a flock of pigeons or a rogue crow swoops down and steals something from your picnic. You may not know it but bird phobias are extremely common and factor in a big way in our phobia list! Birds, especially pigeons are the bane of many because not only are birds highly mobile, they can appear anywhere and surprise you at any time. With some, the phobia is associated with the texture of feathers, the fluttering of wings or even the fear of disease.

Face It! In facing your fear, you must first try to recognize what it is about birds that repel you. Is it their mobility? Their feathers? Or their capability of carrying avian diseases? Once you identify it, put yourself with an object that resembles the object of fear. For instance, look at pictures of birds or try holding a feather. Work out what you are capable of bearing now and gradually work your way towards overcoming your fear by exposing yourself little by little to what you fear the most!