As small as that insect is, it scares me to my bones. Don't ask why, cos I have absolutely no idea.
One evening when relaxing with family members....
I striped naked
screaming and running around the house thinking cockroach was walking on
me. Yeah, I know, naked! Well, didn't realise I was naked until I was
completely sure nothing was on me.
I
decided to research my fear to find out more. Researching and writing
about it has been extremely challenging. Each time I Google it, I see
pictures of Cockroaches everywhere (phew!), very irritating and scary.
Okay lets go back to the subject. This is what I gathered:
National Geographic names the fear of cockroaches Katsaridaphobia. This fear can be enhanced by multiple factors not the least of which is their quickness and prolific nature.
MedicineNet.com indicates this fear may be characterized by, “An abnormal and persistent fear of insects
[cockroaches]. Sufferers of this fear experience undue anxiety even
though they realize that most insects pose no threat. To avoid insects,
they may frequently clean rooms and carpets, sweep hallways, spray
insect-killer or seal off doors and windows.” I do that a lot
One of the primary causes for this phobia
can often be traced by to a previous incident involving cockroaches. It
could be a family member had previously suffered a traumatic experience
involving cockroaches and instilled a fear simply by recounting
negative thoughts about the roach. It might have also been reinforced at
a time when the adult spotted a cockroach and expressed incredible
fear. This scenario can take childish fear and amplify it many times
over.
There may be other causes and many individuals can’t pinpoint the exact
moment the fear started. They simply remain acutely aware that the fear
is extreme. It is generally a profound negative first impression and
then the desire to never have the same experience that contributes to
the ongoing fear.
Ways to Overcome Katsaridaphobia
Because
this fear is often caused by observing others who also had the fear
there is a conditioned response in most katsaridaphobics. The greatest
tool in managing the fear is reconditioning the mind to accept that the fear is unjustified.
This can be accomplished through education and a caring therapist or
friend willing to help draw the individual back to a place where they
are kindly, but firmly reminded of the facts about the things they fear
most – in this case the cockroach.
Since there is no harm that can
come being in the same location as a cockroach there care be
desensitization or brain retraining while in the presence of cockroaches
in a controlled environment.
Guess what I am not alone in this (hehehe..) Newscaster Anderson Cooper has a
fear of cockroaches too...:-)
