Posted by Cindy W on May 7, 2000, at 20:47:16
In reply to re: summer, posted by tina on May 7, 2000, at 17:02:09
> Anybody got any ideas how I can get over an INTENSE fear of flying insects. I have a panic attack when I see one 50 feet away or even hear one buzzing anywhere near me. I know I'm in the middle of a panic disorder but I've had THIS fear all my life and the panic attacks just seem to highten it.
You might want to ask your pdoc or therapist about systematic desensitization (a treatment in which you develop a set of scenes which provide you with gradually more anxiety-arousing contact with what you're afraid of, and you imagine these, while relaxing and imagining yourself coping, until you're not afraid any more). I'm terrified of hypodermic needles, myself. I used to scream and stop the car whenever a bee got in (because I got stung as a kid), but recently, I got stung by a wasp and didn't even get that upset. Most flying insects just want to stay away from us as much as we want to avoid contact with them! (also, there's always bug repellent!!). ;)
poster:Cindy W
thread:32671
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32688.html