My phobia story
I distinctly remember the moment my phobia was born – as a young child, rummaging around in the junk room at home, only to have a huge house spider run up my arm! There the template for spider fear was created.
Several interactions over the years reinforced the template, transporting me right back to my initial child’s experience and fear response: clammy, racing heart, and on the edge of panic.
As an adult, I learned to rationalise that not all spiders were the threat, and developed coping mechanisms when confronted with them (whether ‘real’, photos, or on TV) – mostly avoidance. If a spider came onto the TV screen, I would look away, or turn the page of a book very quickly to avoid looking at it. Just the thought of it would make me shudder and begin the physical symptoms of my fear response.
REWIND
Then I experienced the REWIND Technique. I didn’t want to be friends with spiders, I certainly didn’t want to be able to pick one up! I did, however, want to be able to react calmly and rationally if I had to deal with one.
This gentle technique has ‘neutralised’ my stress response and replaced it with a calm, non-emotional one. I’m still not a fan of spiders, but experience none of the clammy panicking or racing heart! I am now able to trap and release pretty monstrous beasts without the sweating and shaking.
Reach out
For some, it is easy to map where the phobia has come from, for others it may be trickier. However, the key to REWIND is not working out what happened in the past, but creating a NEW template for future responses.
Some phobias can have a debilitating impact on your life – fear of the dentist, fear of flying, fear of the water.
If you have a fear or phobia you feel is holding you back and would like to know more, get in touch to arrange an informal, no-obligation chat.