arachnophobia-fear-of-spiders

1.

FEAR OF SPIDERS
A tiny spider can create a
very big feeling.
Arachnophobia is a strong fear of spiders. In
this lesson, we learn the feeling, the
vocabulary, and kind ways to talk about it.
small object
English lesson poster | Arachnophobia
big feeling
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2.

DEFINITION
Arachnophobia is more than simply
disliking spiders.
Ordinary Fear
Specific Phobia
You notice danger, stay
careful, and can still
make choices.
The fear is intense, hard
to control, and may lead to
avoidance.
caution
panic
avoidance
Useful sentence: “A phobia is not a joke; it can change
behavior.”
Sources: NIMH, Cleveland Clinic
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3.

BODY ALARM
Fear often shows up in the body before
it becomes words.
heart races
breathing changes
ALARM
muscles tense
urge to escape
That is why “just calm down” often does not help. The fear
feels physical, not only mental.
Sources: NIMH, Cleveland Clinic
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4.

WHY SPIDERS?
Spider fear can grow from stories, memory,
movement, and uncertainty.
fast movement
The brain notices possible danger quickly.
Sometimes that helpful system becomes too
sensitive.
family stories
uncertainty
movies & memes
old survival bias
Educational synthesis from phobia sources
04

5.

AVOIDANCE MAP
The phobia becomes serious when
avoidance starts running the day.
bedroom
bathroom
garden
checking corners
avoiding the room
not going outside
phone
sleep
searching for danger
staying alert
Key idea: avoidance can make fear feel safer today, but
stronger tomorrow.
Sources: NIMH, Johns Hopkins Medicine
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6.

MYTH CHECK
Most spiders are not villains in the
story.
MYTH
Every spider is
dangerous.
FACT
Many spiders avoid people and help
control insects.
MYTH
Fear means weakness.
FACT
A phobia is an anxiety response, not a
character flaw.
MYTH
The only solution is
panic.
FACT
People can learn safer reactions with
support and practice.
Classroom myth/fact synthesis
06

7.

GETTING BETTER
Coping often means making the fear smaller
one safe step at a time.
5
4
3
2
1
stay near it
safely
see a spider
far away
watch a calm
video
look at a
drawing
say the word
CBT can help people change fear thoughts and
avoidance habits.
Sources: NHS, NIMH, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Exposure is gradual and safe, never a
surprise or a prank.
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8.

ENGLISH PRACTICE
The best takeaway is empathy: fear feels real
even when danger is small.
phobia
a strong irrational fear
trigger
something that starts a reaction
Discuss in English
staying away from fear
Why do small things sometimes
feel dangerous?
avoidance
exposure
cope
safe gradual practice
deal with a difficult feeling
How can we help a friend
without laughing?
What is the difference between
caution and panic?
Final sentence: Understanding a fear is the first step toward
making it smaller.
Classroom discussion slide
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