Today, I went to see a therapist for help with my severe fear of spiders. The therapist held a big spider in a box inches away from my face. I ran to the back of the room and asked him why. He responded with, "Aren't therapists supposed to help you face your fears?" I'm paying $150 an hour. FML
Collection
Thanksgiving
Questions about your love life, a burnt turkey and the cousin who knows everything: Thanksgiving, a contact sport.
Today, my roommate thought it would be a good idea to show me his huge new tarantula despite knowing that I have extremely severe arachnophobia. I ended up killing it with a book and apparently now owe him $500. FML
Today, I went to see a certified trauma specialist for my PTSD. I saw her for 35 minutes of my hour-long session because she ran late with the patient before me, and then kicked me out early. Her expert treatment plan? "Just don't think about it." I paid $260 for that. FML
Today, I went through the nightmare of having to go to my doctor so he could remove a living spider from my nasal cavity. FML
Today, my significant other woke at 4:30 a.m. to me crying about a spider in the bathroom. I have an intense fear of spiders; he was super nice and took care of it for me. He even walked me out to my car. I started to calm down driving to work, but when I got there what do I see on the door handle but a spider. I'm still shaking. FML
Today, my mom still freaks out and yells "Where?" when I mention spiders to her in any form, regardless of context, and no matter what I preface it with. She just fixates on the word "spider." I get that arachnophobia is pretty miserable to have, but this is ridiculous. Go see a therapist, mom. FML
Today, I was taken to my first session with my psychiatrist. The entirety of the facility, from the waiting room to the doc's office was decorated with dead butterflies in glass. I was there for my crippling mottephobia, the irrational fear of moths and butterflies. FML
Today, knowing that I have severe arachnophobia, my brother brought over his friend's tarantula. One hour later, the spider got loose. It's been 5 hours and I'm afraid to go to sleep. FML
Today, I spotted a huge spider in my bedroom. I freaked out at first, but I managed to confront my arachnophobia and killed it with a book. I was ecstatic and went to tell my boyfriend. By the time I returned to my room, the "dead" spider had vanished. Now I'm too scared to sleep. FML
Today, I had to go to therapy for my fear of cats. All the way there, my girlfriend kept making cat noises and scratching at me. FML
Today, my parents screamed at me for cutting my wrists. They asked me if I wanted a therapist. I said that I didn't know. Then my mom said, "But wait, it's going to cost a lot of money!" FML
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Top comments
istishia 12
Isn't this a valid technique? Flooding or something?
Bluekaren16 19
Yes it's a type of exposure therapy.
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Comments (121)
Tanyz1 12
This is a type of therapy exposure called flooding, I'm sure the therapist would've mentioned it? But the one for you is graduated exposure therapy. :)
TheyCallMeDamien 18
$150/hr, I got the wrong degree.
HowsBoutaRoadie 8
why the hell would u see a therapist for that? they are a crock of shit.
ViviMage 40
There has to be a more gradual way to do this. See a fake spider. Then touch fake plastic spider. Then hold fake plastic spider. Reason out those irrational fears. Big hairy scary spider is not out to kill you. I don't like spiders but I live in a place with wolf spiders and lots of crickets. The wolf spiders help me with pest control. I even named one "Fred" to make it less scary. Granted insect/spider venom is something I'm highly allergic to. Which is a valid reason to be weary around them. But I don't have a phobia where I can't handle the basement because there might be a spider. And I've had the odd insect as a pet. Usually crickets or walking sticks. But I wouldn't keep a pet wasp!
stitesy29 18
YDI for not knowing that he's using a very effective technique If you let him keep you neer the spider, it WILL help! You need to learn that he's doig his job correctly and he's doing a damn good job
Bludude4 10
Having a fear of spiders is common sense. :)
jsc9306 14
Damn! Give me a $150, ill teach you how to kill them. I hate spiders too!
SneezyBear 27
#54 Sudden exposure to the target of a phobia is widely recognised in the therapeutic field as the fastest way to get over the fear. It is also the most distressing way, but it's effective. However, the stress it causes the client is why a significant number of therapists opt for the 'slow desensitisation' method instead. The sudden exposure (I think it's called 'flooding', like #1 stated) is still a valid method, but OP's therapist should have informed her first what was going to happen (and given her a choice to say no).
gothmo 8
Exposure therapy has been shown to produce results. I have to admit there was probably a much slower, gentler way to lead up to that, but still.
ComeBlack 6
yeah this is a real technique I'm a psych major and this is supposed to help you become comfortable with your greatest fear.But it should be a slow progression,not holding spiders right to you against your will.