Fear of spiders, insects and bugs

Ok, so i havent seen a thread with this yet, and im to tired to continue looking.
I have an extremely strong fear of insects, bugs an spiders.
So srtong that im unable to be with my friends and family, since my family loves to be outside in the sun, go on walks, biking and hiking/camping, and im here in my room, doors and windows closed untill the air gets so bad that I get migrene-like headaches, and quoting my mom "you could cut the air vith a knife(like butter)!".

If you're scared of insects/spiders or have experience with the fear, id like to hear your thoughts/experience!

I can get really strong panic attacks and the thought of exposure therapy gives me anxiety. Ive heard of hypnotherapy(i think thats it??) But it seems really expensive! I dont know what to do! I keep hating myself for this stupid fear i have, i mean im not scared of SNAKES or creatures/things like that, BU INSECTS! YEAH THAT MAKES SENSE! MAKE IT FEEL LIKE YOU'RE HAVING A HART ATACK OR SUM SHAIT, CUS OF A STUPID LITTLE SPIDER OR FLY!!
stupid brain...

Sorry, im just really frustrated and angry with myself, even though I have very little control of my own fear...

What should i do?

fear of spiders is common!. it wouldn't surprise me if it appeared in like a top 10 things people are most afraid of list (you're not the only one to have this fear, I can tell you that much)
also, a spider is more afraid of a human, than a human is of a spider

think about it: a spider's job is to build a web,. it's going to be terrified of any human who tries to stomp on it, or hit it, or kill it in any other way, and if you leave them alone to do what they do best, they'll just do it and leave you alone

it's like a honeybee. a honeybees job is to fly around and collect pollen from flowers so it flies back to it's nest to make honey

if you anger the bee, or stop it from doing it's job, it will sting (and remember bees prefer not to sting, because they die after 1 sting)

I hope this goes somewhat a way to help you understand that some bugs are actually quite useful. perhaps next time you're out with your family and you see something like a spider or a honeybee, watch it from a distance at it's work.

Hello HeineUwU: I see this is your first post here on PC. Welcome to Psych Central.

I'm sorry you are struggling with this difficult fear. You mentioned exposure therapy. Here are links to 2 articles, from Psych Central's archives, on that subject:

What is Exposure Therapy?

Anxiety and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy

Also, several years ago, family therapist Kati Morton uploaded a video onto her YouTube channel on the subject of exposure therapy. Here's a link to that video:

What is Exposure Therapy? PTSD, Anxiety, OCD and more... Mental Health Help with Kati Morton - YouTube

I hope you find PC to be of benefit.

Thanks! I know, people have sayd the same, and it makes sense! And I try to think about the fact that they're harmless! But my fear of both spiders and insects in general is so strong that I get panic attacks. If i can't run (and sometimes even if i do) i end up hyperventilating, tears run like a river and if im not hyperventilating I scream till my voice is either gone or sore the next few days! Just beacuse a FLY was flying near/around me/my head! A freaking FLY?! Its so stupid and unreasonable! I know that they're not able to hurt me! So why do i get sutch a strong need to escape? To run? Whu does it feel like my instincts say they're so dangerous when they're not? It doesn't make any sense?

I really appreciate your reply! Thank you!

we all have fears we think are stupid or think we shouldn't have, all of us.

I can't really give you an example, because I'm not sure what your other phobias are so don't want to use something you're scared of.

but in a general situation. I have fears about g gloves, for example

to me, gloves are these things people wear to make them look like murderous people or clowns, or someone in a horror movie, and I'm terrified of seeing anyone with gloves (like you with insects, I get a panic attack and need to run!)

but, to someone else gloves are these things you wear on your hand to protect you so you are able to do your job properly.
this is what I am trying to say. what 1 person can't understand, the other person is terrified of

I myself am alergic to stings from wasps and honeybees, so if I see one I know, I have to go, if it stings me, I'm in trouble- but it isn't a fear, it's natural instinct. you know: I'm alergic to a sting, I see an insect that stings, I need to get out that situation

I am generally good with most other (non stinging) insect), and I think some (butterflies, for example) are actually quite cute

I am afraid of spiders too. I know they eat bugs but I have this reaction when I see them- I want to run and/or kill them!