Phobias hold the power to limit life. Therapists suggest exposure therapy, but an awareness of the root cause may help in eliminating it.
The mildest form is a dislike or distaste for something after a bad experience, but these usually don’t last.
Specific phobias are linked to past life experiences, like death by asphyxiation, which can cause claustrophobia in future lifetimes.
My ophidiophobia is attributed to a snake bite in a previous lifetime. The exposure therapy suggested making 1000 snakes from clay or dough and dumping them in a river. I managed to control my phobia by gazing at the TV screen when the hated reptile appeared.
What troubles me more than that is a fear of interference, of others entering my arena or crossing boundaries. The demons put me on the defensive before an offence occurs. I know the root cause but could not find a solution. An NLP guru suggested deep breathing to get rid of the perceived choking. It helps only to a limited extent.
Creative Experiments and More 
Phobia usually have no real basis, just an irrational fear that gets hold of our psyche.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True. But it obstructs the flow of life in many ways. A person I knew with claustrophobia refused to wear a mask during the pandemic, and ultimately succumbed to the disease.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed. Some fears can’t be overcome by will power. One needs therapy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad that you are able to control your ophidiophobia. I feel uncomfortable watching snakes and sharks too. But I don’t think I would go so far as to call that a phobia. But I have an extreme fear of spiders regardless of their size. But weirdly enough, I’m the the first one in my house to notice big spiders hiding in the corners of our house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can picture you armed with a vacuum cleaner ready for the battle. 😃😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. That’s the funny thing. I don’t go in with a vacuum cleaner because eventually I’ll the one who’s going to have to clean out the dust from that too 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a valid point 🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
To get over my fear of mice, I let me daughter get Gerbils. I held them, but not for long.
LikeLike
Hamsters are another favorite as pets. I remember seeing a rat sitting on his haunches and eating something stolen from the kitchen, and he held in his paws and I kind of found it cute. So, no fears after that, though I don’t come across them any more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what my daughter says.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can understand people being afraid of snakes as some of them are poisonous. My friend kept a snake as a pet, but I don’t understand that, as I don’t see it being any fun having one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I guess the fear is not limited to those with phobias.
LikeLiked by 1 person