Arachnophobia - Confronting The Spiders

[PartFeminist18]

i screamed at 1:58. and threw up

[lynnehurstbridge]

@PartFeminist18 If you are that out of control with an irrational fear of these harmless creatures, why did you watch this video?

[gothicsakura7]

i died watching this vid...........

[lynnehurstbridge]

@gothicsakura7 RIP.

[igrowweedfromaseed]

DISCLAIMER: eating while watching this may cause you to losse appitite.

[MidnightMoon0011]

ive had a love a spiders since i was little, i always have a memory of one pet spider n.n it was a little orange crab spider...it was so cute to watch it walk around on my hand... :] i'll always remember him...

[lynnehurstbridge]

Think that says more about your mind than my spiders! :-)

[MsPlum5]

@lynnehurstbridge You're sick lady. They will kill you if they get the chance. Get them first!!!

[lynnehurstbridge]

@MsPlum5 I assume you are having fun - and I did laugh. But just in case - no-one has died of a spider bite in Australia for 50 years or so. I was sick when I lived under the curse of an irrational fear of spiders. Now I am well and loving my obsession with them! Thanks for commenting!

[MsPlum5]

@lynnehurstbridge I was just having fun - but - I hear that a sydney funnel web can kill you just by looking at you.

[lynnehurstbridge]

@MsPlum5 Very good to hear from you! You are quite right - everyone in Sydney walks around in blindfolds to avoid the risk. That's why I live in Victoria - so I can look at spiders without dying.

[MsPlum5]

@lynnehurstbridge It isn't just your spiders - everything on and around your continent is deadly. Great white sharks, box jellies, redbacks, Irukandji, blue ring octopus, taipans etc, etc. I would love to see Australia - but - I'd have to wear a space suit. I live in New Jersey, where the only thing you have to be afraid of is the police.

[lynnehurstbridge]

@MsPlum5 You forgot our crocodiles! I have never seen most of the critters you mention. We do have redbacks galore here, as does everyone in Victoria who isn't entirely surrounded by concrete. As do you with your black widows. The only tourists we loose are those who go swimming at night, when drunk, in croc infested waters. Raises the global IQ. So come in safety. It's a very big, and very safe, continent.

[MsPlum5]

@lynnehurstbridge You have more courage than I do! Cheers

[BigMisterApple]

climbing beneath my skirt... wait.. hold up.. I´ve seen enough hentai porn to see where this is going..

sorry.. had to be done..

[abelign1991]

I looked around at my room walls every 5 seconds while watching this

[lynnehurstbridge]

@abelign1991 I hope that looking around will soon be because you love spiders and want to watch them. Sorry if you are still the other way! It is much more fun loving spiders than it was being scared of them.

Lynne

[OwlsOfEpicness]

@abelign1991 me too i live in florida and i thought our spiders were bad im never going there



[lynnehurstbridge]

Hi racewars05. It's "I loved Hattah" - Hattah Lakes national park. This short film was originally made for a project about the Park. But my arachnophobia, and recovery from it, is the basis of my most recent book, "Spiders: learning to love them" (by Lynne Kelly).

[racewars05]

0:03 -> i love tette ?

[lynnehurstbridge]

The spider at 0:34 is a huntsman. They are large and the spider most Australians are frightened of because they just suddenly appear in houses, especially when the males are roaming, looking for females. They are very flat, so can enter houses though the thinnest gaps. They are totally harmless.

[abakalou]

Can someone please tell me at 0:34 what kind of spider that is? cause i killed one in the kitchen when i was in Australia!

[Max1337Samuelsson]

Only emo girls like spiders...

[WrightyVideos]

2:00 great picture

[pershio]

a can of lynx and a lighter gets rid of em easy, believe me i know :-)

[GLICIOUS21]

FUCK THAT. MAN U ASKIN TO GET YO ASS HANDED TO U. NO WAY MAN I PASS.

[roriejr]

@GLICIOUS21 lol

[iAnKayla]

screw dat! Die spider die!!!

[pristoeck932]

oooh SHIIIAT

[FuturisticDuggie]

1:58 (What da hell yall lookin at!!!)

[gr4ndhustle]

I have 4 tarantula's (G. Rosea's) and i can tell people that are scared of them the following:

dont be! they are economical and only EVER eat when they are hungry. they dont kill a bug just because it's in their territory...

to give you an example i fed one of them a small cricket and the cricket came walking right next to it and even touched it and the spider just lift it's leg to let the cricket get passed him.. they are not evil killing machines people! get that out of your head! nice vid!

[lynnehurstbridge]

@gr4ndhustle - how fascinating! I am dead jealous. We're not allowed the gentle New World tarantulas as pets here in Australia because of quarantine regulations. I met some in America when I felt the need to hold one to show that I really had conquered my arachnophobia. I was amazed at how delicate, gentle and beautiful they are. Keep telling the world the truth about spiders - they need people like you!

[tkthomask]

@gr4ndhustle i agree. im still scared shitless of them...

[arnejazoheetik]

@gr4ndhustle I'm afraid of them how they look like! :D

[gr4ndhustle]

@arnejazoheetik next time you see a spider make sure to just grab it.. for fuck sake you live only once just grab it gently lol.. (unless it's a black widow then perhaps you want to skip touching it)

[marshmallowchips]

I am mostly scared by the big spiders because you can see their eyes easily, they are hairy, longer legs, and BIG of course! I don't actually have Arachnophobia, but I have a pretty big fear of spiders. And if i wanted to kill them I couldn't! Because they are bigger and i guess a bit stronger than the small spiders!

[lynnehurstbridge]

When I interviewed people for my book on spiders, I found that it was size, hairs and something about the legs which caused the fear. Also the way they just suddenly appear. So people were more afraid of the harmless huntsmen than the red-backs, which are potentially deadly. (No-one has actually died of a red-back/back widow bite for decades now.)

I'd love to stop the whole world killing spiders! But I do understand the fear. I am just so glad I no longer feel it.

[no1zgrl4eva]

You're absolutely right, it is the sudden appearance, no warning, and long legs, giant altogether, that throws me into a panic. I lived in Hawaii and had 6 cane spiders in my house over the years and every one of them sent me running screaming down the street. I considered getting systematic desensitization so I could live there in peace. I would love to read your book, where can someone in Canada find it? I'm happy your spider phobia is over. :)

[jessw527]

u have a proplem

[lynnehurstbridge]

I HAD a problem - an irrational fear of spiders. No problem now - just free entertainment everywhere! And a book - "Spiders: learning to love them" - which is selling well!

[berknercg]

@lynnehurstbridge: Yes, I've looked into a couple of places for a new copy of your book and they are out of stock!

[lynnehurstbridge]

Yes, have been warned about that and have complained to my publisher. But they say that is because it is selling well, so i shouldn't complain. Thank you for looking for it!

[no1zgrl4eva]

WOW! I have severe arachnophobia and I don't know that I could ever get to your state of mind. What did you do, there must have been more than just looking at them? When I look at them I hyperventilate, even on YT, I can only look for a few seconds. I would think living in Australia, a person would have to get used to spiders, though, and big ones! Any advice?

[lynnehurstbridge]

You can get there, because the fear is irrational. It is partly the way you look at them. When I got to that hyperventilating stage, I tried to concentrate on one aspect. The pattern on the abdomen. Whether they were male or female. What sort of web. If they had a drop line. Anything but looking at the whole spider, because that reinforced the fear. The more I got to know about them, the more I had things to look for - and slowly I found I didn't have to consciously do that any more.

[zebredpooding]

why doesnt that lady give the itty biity wittle spider a wittle kiss on its fuzzy wuzzy wittle head....freak

[Concalious]

are you serious? millions?

[lynnehurstbridge]

I was scared of therapies, especially if they meant touching a spider. So I did my own thing and just observed them (from the OTHER side of the window) in their webs, which I left in place. I also gave them names so they became individuals. Slowly my arachnophobia changed to an obsession for the little guys. That's what my book, "Spiders: learning to love them" is all about. I want to convert the world! My methods worked for me - and I didn't touch a spider!

[ClovisRiley]

Delightful video, Lynn! Wonderful narration and writing. I have always been fond of spiders and am glad you overcame your fear. They are amazing creatures, indeed, and you have conveyed that so very nicely. Here's to the spiders!

Cheers!

[lynnehurstbridge]

Thank you, ClovisRiley,

I really appreciate your comments. And couldn't agree more: Here's to the spiders!

Lynne

[kain702]

Nice bedtime story lady

[kain702]

Umm No thanks

[SaiyanGodX]

I have a Spider fetish

[geasscanceler16]

how the FUCK can any1 adore THAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[lynnehurstbridge]

Easily. Adore them all!

[geasscanceler16]

you know they don't blink right?

[Ercolano78]

I like spiders. Unfortunately we don't have big spiders here in Finland.

[lynnehurstbridge]

Time, I suggest, to save up and visit Australia! We have no shortage of wonderful big spiders. And don't believe any of the rumors that they will do you harm. No one has died of a spider bite in Australia for many decades. I am longing to visit Finland, despite the lack of big spiders!

[koflo22947]

Haha, this was actually how I got over it. I found a spider out side and just watched it. Then in the house I catch them and look at them, then put them outside. They aren't that bad, still don't want one jumping on me.. I wouldn't want any bug jumping on me though.

[lynnehurstbridge]

Delighted to hear it. Such a simple and realistic method. And free! Thank you for commenting!

[killking72]

i hate being arachnophobic

[lynnehurstbridge]

Arachnophobia as really interfere with my life. So I started watching he individual spiders (small ones on the other side of the window!) around my home. I slowly learned to love them - it is much better being this way! I wrote about it in my book, "Spiders: learning to love them". I hope that you can beat arachnophobia. All the best!

[joshipoo16]

what a sweet poem but she's crazy....

[Pudgyplumber]

Note to self: Never go to Lake Hattah.

[lukechawynski92]

i miss victoria but they got big ass spiders back home

[EkoJisBack]

i wish i could

[BigPapaPump9]

there not so bad as long as they stay outside and dont come anywhere near me

[lynnehurstbridge]

I agree that widows aren't agressive. They are, like our Australian red-backs, very timid. I still don't think I would pick them up. I am very pleased that you enjoy spider company so much! Thank you for your comment - I do like hearing people's reactions.

[123459181]

i live out here in CA bakersfeild and we get black widows baaad and sometimes i pick them up u know theres 4 black widows always in my room i always pick them up. u know black widows arnt as agrrisive as u think. threer accturly more nicer than turanturlas i named the widows 2 i dont kbnow why but i can reconize them some how theres winky,fanger.venom and harry. when i call there names the come out weird huh i have a awsome life with some of the worlds most venimoss spiders ever yyyyyaaaayyyyy!!

[lynnehurstbridge]

That's a very good reason to hate them! There are only 13 verified recorded deaths form the Sydney funnel-web spider, so your Grandad is one of a very elite group.

Thank you for your comment.

[dirtdogz2]

nice video i love spiders now but the reason i hated them before is becoause my grandad died when he was in austrailia sydney and got bitten by an sydney funnel web spider thats gross i think

[lynnehurstbridge]

Brazil is probably the worst place for spiders. The dangerous one is the Brazilian Wandering spider. I am not going to try and pretend that one is safe. But you don't need to worry outside of its range.

Thank you for commenting on my video!

[drumlines1]

I've got Arachnophobia but that's because me and my whole family went to Brazil for holidays. But suddenly but cousin screamed out awfully loud and we were all like: "OMG what the hell happened?" Then me and another cousin spotted a huge spider. I don't know which kind it was but all i knew is, it was a venomous one. So we rushed him to a hospital and the doctor said that if we were like 30 mins later he would've died. Since then, i'm affraid os spiders :S.

[mandykiwi]

I am scared of spiders i admit it, though when i was a kid i always remember letting the big house spiders (i live in canada so about the size of dollar or a bit bigger) walk all over my arms, now i can't stand them

[lynnehurstbridge]

I am sure the fear is a learned thing most kids don't seem to have it, but the constant media and adult comments on how scary spiders are seems to reinforce and cause the irrational fear. Well, that's my theory!

[nismo2323]

hmm really makes me think.

[lynnehurstbridge]

Hi nismo2323 ,

That comment delights me! Thank you!

[OrangeColita]

Spiders are fascinating, yes indeed, but there's a reason why i practice at the gun range twice weekly. That same reason is why i sleep with a Smith and Wesson 638 Airweight revolver strapped to my thigh.

They're out there man, and they want to eat me

[dirtdogz2]

lmfao wtf why did u come to that conclusion?

[OrangeColita]

what? do you work for them or something?

[dirtdogz2]

work for who spiders no id never work for spiders id work for snakes though

[philessexuk]

i hate spiders thou when i was a kid i would pick them up until one day a water spider bit me lol guess i hadles it to much

great story thank you for sharing i enjoyed it :D

[lynnehurstbridge]

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it!

[XxToxicSlugxX]

LOL 1:41 is cute, even though im terrified of nearly all spiders =D

[lynnehurstbridge]

The jumping spiders are the cutest. One expert on them says they shouldn't be included as spiders, because even arachnophobes aren't scared of them.

I know all about being terrified of them! I can assure you it is much better to love them - and the conversion isn't as hard as it sounds. Thanks you for your comment!

[WraithGod]

I think spiders are amazing creatures, but my arachnophobia limits my appreciation. I'm now OK killing spiders below eye level with a box or shoe, but get them on the ceiling or give me a paper towel I am physically unable to get close to them. I was so much worse as a kid, but even now if I see a spider in my house it has to die or I won't sleep.

The funny things is, the fear doesn't get activated by tarantulas, which I adore. I only wish it applied to others spiders!

[lynnehurstbridge]

I have become so obsessed I couldn't possibly kill one now. The fear has gone completely. I understand that tarantulas are less frightening. They move very slowly and are fairly predictable. I think it is the spiders which move unpredictably, and just suddenly appear, which are far more frightening.

Here that is the huntsmen in particular. They're also known as rain spiders. One minute the wall is empty. The next minute there's a large hairy spider on it. But I love them now, as well!

[IICheApSh0Tz]

When i was about 6-7 i loved spiders and creepy crawlies, but now i hate them xD im 14 lol i wouldnt even have the balls to touch a spider on the leg incase it ran away and i wouldnt know where its gone so ide be scared to get to sleep. :(

[lynnehurstbridge]

The research I did for my book on spiders showed that lots of people became more afraid of spiders as they grew up. I think it is their unpredictability which is the most frightening about them. But I overcame it and now I adore them! It is a much better way to be!

[Ksaiper]

I'm happy for you, I think they are cute creatures.

Jumping spiders and tarantulas are just awesome.

[lynnehurstbridge]

HI, Ksaiper - great to have a fellow arachnophile here. They are more and more awesome the more I get to know and the more I watch them. The little jumpers are just incredible, aren't they? Amazingly smart - Portia species 'solve mazes' in labs and in the wild. People just don't credit how smart they are until they start watching them.

[Ksaiper]

Yeah my house is usually crawing with jumping spiders in the summer, and I just got a tarantula so I know how smart, cute and funny they can be.

But my tarantula really makes me angry when she(I think it's a she) starts flicking hairs!

[lynnehurstbridge]

I'm jealous. We can't have docile pet tarantulas here in Australia. Quarantine laws ban them being imported, and ours are not friendly. Some people keep them anyway, but very few. I met some tarantulas in America and fell in love with them. You need to know the gender. A mature male will spend his time trying to get out to find a female, while a female will be happy in a contained space. If she's flicking hairs, then she isn't happy. Maybe the Tarantula Association can help.

[Ksaiper]

Well she flicks hairs only when I want to play with her, it's a Brachypelma Albopilosum (I think that is how you spell it) the Curly Haired tarantula and I've heard the flick hairs a whole lot, but I'm happy she doesn't try to bite me, that would be horrible.

What species of tarantula do you have in Australia?

[lynnehurstbridge]

I'd love to hear more about your tarantula. Why don't you join us on Spiderbloggers?

Nikki, who writes there often, also keeps tarantulas. Ours are Selenocosmia sp. Old World tarantulas, who are not docile like your New World. They are

better known here as whistling spiders Not really suitable as pets, although a few people to keep them. Hope to talk to you on Spiderbloggers.

[Ksaiper]

Ok I joined, I'm XyperPaolo there ;)

[lynnehurstbridge]

Great - I'm looking forward to hearing about your tarantula. I'll welcome you and ask in the Tarantula forum. Mind you, I'll just be jealous. having met some in the US last time I was there, I have wanted one ever since.

[lynnehurstbridge]

Hi ngfxoxo, what made the difference was observing the small ones at home, and giving them names, so I reduced them to individuals. As I got to know more about spiders, the fear reduced. So I read a lot and talked to experts. Then I watched one spin her web, and I was hooked! I adore them now. I wrote a whole book about it, which has just been released: "Spiders: learning to love them". It is MUCH better being this way!

[philessexuk]

haha thats sad i name them too i think when you name something you begin to relate to it and when you understand something from observation you dont fear it anymore :S weird thou

[lynnehurstbridge]

I couldn't agree more. Naming them and watching them as individuals changed everything when I was trying t get over my overwhelming fear of them. I can see about 20 individuals form where I am sitting (all spiders and their webs are protected in this house!) and all have names. I blog them on my Spiderbloggers website.

[ngfxoxo]

WOW...what exactly do you think made the difference? I have severe arachnophobia and wish I could be like you.

[DemonHide]

Hey, good for you, I still ain't going near them.