Where Does the Fear of Spiders Come From?
WouterThe fear of spiders is the oldest recorded phobia in history. It’s also the most common phobia in the world. In fact, it’s estimated that 3 to 15 percent of the global population will suffer from it at some point in their lives.
Arachnophobia is caused by a number of different factors. Some people are afraid of spiders because they’ve had a bad experience with one. Others believe that the fear is innate.
While the origin of the fear of spiders may not be completely known, scientists have conducted studies to learn more about its development. For example, it was found that 6-month-old babies responded with a fear response when they saw a spider.
During the time of ancient civilizations, spiders were a real threat to humans. They could eat a person’s food and water. Water was also considered “corrupted” when spiders were present.
Early humans were also faced with a variety of other threats, including snakes and other arachnids. Many of these were venomous. As a result, early humans developed an evolutionary mechanism to fight off spiders.
This may have led to arachnophobia. Research suggests that women are more likely to develop arachnophobia than men. Women are more prone to exhibiting signs of the disorder because of hormonal differences.
There are several ways to get rid of spider phobia. Besides seeking professional help, you may want to try therapy and relaxation techniques. You might also consider taking medications to help you cope.
