Phobia.

[Fiction]

My boyfriend just told me his parents want to take me and him to the Carribean for his 18th Birthday.

For someone that's barely been out of Europe I should be ecstatic right? But my first reaction was too burst into tears.

I am absoultely terrified of snakes, and the idea of going anywhere where they live.

I've had this phobia for as long as I can remember. It's not as bad as it used to be. When I was younger I couldn't sleep with any windows open, and I would go around my house putting down toilet seats and closing bathroom doors several times a day, after having heard there are snakes that come up through the pipes.

I'm not like that anymore, but i'm still terrified. I can't ruin my boyfriend's birthday because of something so stupid. I just don't know how to cope.

Someone help.... :(

[bigfoot]

maybe you should actuAlly touch a real snake. you know, to overcome your fear.

[Skyhawk]

Like Bigfoot said, being in an environment where your fear is nearby, or even physically facing your fear can actually help you overcome it. Maybe the trip would be beneficial for you.

You have nothing to worry about. :) Just don't think that there are a lot of snakes there and keep your mind on other things like how pretty the water is and the local population there and how the air smells etc.

[Zarakly]

The only thing I can tell you to do is either try to maybe face your fear a couple times before going, or just try to ignore them while you're there. Focus on the positive stuff instead. You could also look up the dangerous snakes there and learn whats good and whats bad. Another thing you could possibly do is to look up ways to kill the snakes if you were to come across one so you don't need to worry about them haha

[December]

I suppose the first thing to keep in mind is that the snakes are more afraid of you. If you stay in well populated areas, or on commonly traveled roads/paths, its likely most of the snakes will be hiding because human activity frightens them off. Also if you are on the beach or in the water, it is unlikely you will encounter many snakes there. Perhaps you should talk to your boyfriend about this fear, if you plan on going on the trip. Most importantly, try and focus on the positive and fun things you will be doing, because chances are, you won't see any snakes anyways. It is a rational fear to have though, but maybe you could alleviate it by doing some research on snakes in the Caribbean and talking to someone about it. Good luck and if you do go, have a great time! :)

[FullyAlive]

First off your boyfriends parents are fucking generous, most people just go up town ;)

But if you google it, it sounds like other insects pose more of a problem than snakes, somewhere said there are actually few poisonous snakes in the Caribbean although i'm not sure how true that is. Basically I'd agree with the others and tell you to educate yourself, look up the poisonous snakes their features and what to do in the small chance of a bite.

Then knowing where the nearest hospital is might help you feel safer. But realistically if everyone got bitten all the time, no one would go would they? So snakes really can't be too big a problem and try and keep that in mind.

I've had lots of friends go to visit the Caribbean, some on holiday and some staying with family there. But I don't think any have even seen a snake up close there actually and none have been bitten.

So educate yourself, tell Kieran about it so he can help ease your fear, then possibly talk to your parents after all they lived with your snake fear when you were younger and they might have a few words of wisdom :P

And even though you've got months yet, enjoy yourself cause if you don't go I'd be happy to. (: