Entomophobia – Fear of Insects: Treatments & Therapy to Overcome It

Not everyone sees nature when they see insects. Entomophobia is fear of bugs like ticks and other mites like bed bugs and lice. Even though most insects do not represent a threat, people suffering from entomophobia experience fear. 

When people with this phobia think about or encounter an insect, they become uneasy. They may clean rooms and carpets often, apply insecticide, or close doors and windows to keep insects out.

Many people who are afraid of insects have had painful encounters with them. Fear of insects can be addressed using a variety of therapies, including exposure treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and general psychotherapy.

To support the work of the people working on TherapyHunter.com, we may receive compensation if you sign up for online counseling through the links provided.

Therapy Pricing for Entomophobia

Traditional in-person therapists can charge up to a whopping $250 an hour. A typical 45 to 60-minute session costs between $60 and $150. 

When you consider the cost of BetterHelp’s weekly or monthly live sessions that every member receives, the prices are competitive with both in-person therapy and other virtual therapy platforms. The weekly cost is $60 to $90 for appointments of 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the availability of the therapist.

The charge is monthly (four weeks), which comes to about $240 to $360 for 30 to 45-minute sessions, depending on your geographic location and the therapist you are allocated to. Video, audio, and live chat are all alternatives for communication. Messages can also be sent at any hour of the day or night.

What is Entomophobia?

The word “entomophobia” comes from the Greek words “entomos” which means insect and “phobos” meaning fear. Entomophobia, also known as insectophobia and acarophobia, is a particular phobia that affects people. 

People who suffer from entomophobia have a profound, overwhelming fear of insects, which affects their lives despite the fact that they understand that insects provide little to no actual harm.

Actual bugs, as well as stories and images of them, cause a great deal of worry, anguish, and a strong desire to avoid them. 

Entomophobia is sometimes mistaken for other insect-related diseases. 

Causes

Phobias commonly begin in childhood, but they can arise at any age, including fear of bugs. The specific etiology of entomophobia is difficult to determine in many cases, there are several common elements that contribute to its development.

Entomophobia can also be exacerbated by hearing news broadcasts or personal anecdotes from loved ones. For example, repeated stories of individuals being gravely ill from tick-borne Lyme disease. 

An unexpected panic attack that happens to coincide with the presence of insects might lead to a mental link between bugs and terror. This can lead to the development of entomophobia. Genetics or individual personality qualities can potentially be cause and risk factors.

To support the work of the people working on TherapyHunter.com, we may receive compensation if you sign up for online counseling through the links provided.

Symptoms of entomophobia

All phobias are marked by severe emotional, physical, and behavioral manifestations. The symptoms of entomophobia include a strong fear of and aversion to bugs. 

Delusions of parasitosis occur when a person feels they can see and feel bugs crawling on and biting them despite the fact that no bugs are present. 

The feelings of parasitosis are genuine rather than delusional, yet the individual experiences other stimuli rather than the bugs they believe they detect.

Symptoms of entomophobia appear in persons who have been exposed to any or all species of bugs. When people with entomophobia see, hear, or think about insects, they experience severe emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms. 

Even if your symptoms are not severe or life-threatening, formal therapy and self-help coping techniques can help you feel better. 

Entomophobia has the following symptoms:

• Insecticide and bug repellant spraying on a regular basis
• Seeing, hearing, feeling, talking about, or thinking about bugs, and strong sentiments of aversion or disgust arise.
• Panic attack
• Sealing windows and doors
• Insects cause an immediate and acute sensation of fear and worry.
• Excessive scratching or picking at the skin can lead to infection and bleeding.
• Cleaning habit that is frequent and intensively
• Agitation
• Tension or soreness in the muscles
• Shortness of breath or other respiratory difficulties
• Blood pressure is high
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Nausea
• Dizziness

How to Cope With Entomophobia?

It may be irritating and difficult to live with entomophobia. You may deliberately work to overcome your phobia of bugs so that it no longer limits your life. The following suggestions may be useful. 

Relaxation Method

Meditation, yoga, and relaxation techniques like progressive muscle relaxation have a direct influence on the brain, lowering activity in the amygdala and turning down the sympathetic nervous system.

Practise Self-care

Emotional reactivity is exacerbated by poor health and weariness. It may be quite beneficial to equip your brain and body to work at their best. 

Consuming nutritious meals and beverages on a regular basis, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep prepares your brain and body to deal with issues such as fear and can help you avoid symptoms when exposed to bugs.

Entomophobia Therapy Options

To avoid anxiety and panic attacks, professional therapists help patients explore, comprehend, and lessen their concerns. 

For phobias like entomophobia, certain forms of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, virtual reality exposure therapy, and psychotherapy have been shown to be effective.

Mental health counseling may also assist people in setting objectives, taking action steps, and making decisions to reclaim their life. 

Following are the types of therapy options available:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

In CBT for entomophobia, therapists teach you how to explore your negative ideas and beliefs about insects to get insight into your thought and behavior patterns. They also assist you in developing coping techniques to help you cope with your entomophobia. Here we explain the difference between CBT and psychotherapy.

Exposure Therapy

One of the most prevalent and successful methods for treating phobias like entomophobia is exposure treatment. 

Gradual exposure to your fear desensitizes you and reduces the instinctive fear response in your body. This method of treating insect phobia progressively exposes you to bugs.

Talk Therapy/Psychotherapy 

In traditional talk therapy, you chat with your therapist to figure out what is causing your fear and gain beneficial insights into it. Setting objectives and acquiring good coping skills are important priorities. 

Psychotherapy is not as successful as exposure treatment or CBT for entomophobia or other phobias. However, it can be useful for persons who have a bothersome but not life-threatening fear.

Medication

People with entomophobia may be offered medication. However, it is not regarded as a stand-alone treatment for this or any other phobia. It is used in combination with treatment instead. 

How Can Virtual Therapy Help?

Entomophobia may vary from uncomfortable to life-threatening. A phobia of bugs is defined as a strong dislike for bugs which is why opting for a virtual therapy is a better option.

Through BetterHelp, you can attend therapy from your safe space, a space that is bug-free, and you do not have to worry about them.

You can coexist happily with bugs with the help of expert treatment and coping techniques. BetterHelp will find an expert therapist for you. The therapists will be assigned to you according to your requirements and availability. 

Entomophobia may not usually require medical intervention. Using coping techniques frequently and regularly is enough to control your fear and keep it from badly impacting your life. 

Take Action!

Entomophobia may vary from inconvenient and uncomfortable to life-threatening. 

Traditional therapy may be costly and time-consuming to include in your routine. Thankfully, BetterHelp’s virtual treatment services make getting help more accessible.