Difficulty: Explorer (Level 1)
Your sister’s fear is a normal way our body tries to keep us safe. Even if you know a spider can’t hurt you, your brain might still see it as a threat. This can make you react strongly. It happens to many people. You can help her see that being afraid is OK.
One way is to help your sister learn about spiders. Tell her what spiders do, their importance in nature and how most of them are not dangerous.
This understanding can turn her fear into a logical thought.
She can also try methods like deep breathing and meditation. These can help her control the signs of anxiety, like a fast heartbeat.
Sometimes a fear of spiders can be very strong. It could even stop her from doing everyday things, such as going into certain rooms of the house. If this happens, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional.
A therapist or psychologist can help her learn about thoughts like these, especially if they make her life difficult. Remember, overcoming a fear takes time and patience.
This response has been vetted by Cherrie Chung, counsellor, MA at Insight Counselling.
