See Alike in...

Alike App

Browser

FiFlag

655d

I have a really bad phobia of squirrels, which is an issue because they are abundant on my university campus. It's really embarrassing because I freeze up and start to hyperventilate when I see one, no matter who I'm with. Advice on how to deal with this so I can function normally on campus?

Top reply
    • dolphinblues

      655d

      My granddaughter, who lives with me, has a phobia of small flying insects. IE: flies, gnats, bees, etc. She could not be in the same room with one. We first started with books. Not necessarily about them, but ones that had pictures of them. We talked about their features and compared them to other animals. Talked about similarities (colors, legs, eyes, etc) and differences. Then we started with exposure therapy. We would go outside, in a place that had these insects. We would stand across the yard from the bush that had them, for short periods of time. Each day we would move closer, until we were standing within arms length. We would listen and watch them. Also, if a fly or gnat was in the house, we would work on being in the same room with it. Then allowing it to come closer to her and eventually fly around her. They still bother her, but she is able to be around them without freaking out, crying hystericaly and screaming bloody murder.

    • dolphinblues

      655d

      My granddaughter, who lives with me, has a phobia of small flying insects. IE: flies, gnats, bees, etc. She could not be in the same room with one. We first started with books. Not necessarily about them, but ones that had pictures of them. We talked about their features and compared them to other animals. Talked about similarities (colors, legs, eyes, etc) and differences. Then we started with exposure therapy. We would go outside, in a place that had these insects. We would stand across the yard from the bush that had them, for short periods of time. Each day we would move closer, until we were standing within arms length. We would listen and watch them. Also, if a fly or gnat was in the house, we would work on being in the same room with it. Then allowing it to come closer to her and eventually fly around her. They still bother her, but she is able to be around them without freaking out, crying hystericaly and screaming bloody murder.

    • Crowsasgods

      655d

      I've found learning deeply about the things I fear makes them less scary.

    • micah_1234

      655d

      I used to have a deep deep fear of cats and I know one way that helped me overcome it was just sitting near one like not like going up to it and sitting but like sitting on a bench and if it came near me I was just sit there for a bit until I really couldn't handle anymore and then leave to try and help me get used to them around me

    • darkstarrynight

      655d

      Uh find pictures of cute squirrels?

☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Want to chat or share? Download the Alike app now and get complete access to Alike.health's unique features.

Find people who are
experiencing a similar
medical reality

100% Free
100%
Free

Download Alike for the full experience

JOIN

View All

Bupropion

night sweats

paranoid

Valium

sertraline

palpitations

Anxiety (Including GAD)

Depression

palpitations

Depression

Valium

Bupropion