How do I deal with my phobia?

I hate snakes also but why are you trying to deal with this? Are you going to be around them and need to get past the fear?

I know that learning to breathe sounds rediculous to you, but it really is the first step to getting over your phobia. If you are able to be in control of your breathing you are able to move onto the next step of getting over the phobia. If you don't and you automatically start to hyperventilate you are never going to be able to take control.

Caxie's point about taking controlled breathes has a point.

Also, since fear is a natural reaction of the unknown, you might also want to get to know more about your enemies. As what the great general Sun Tzu said, "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer".

you do not dislike the snakes it is the fear of what they could do to you! remember the quantification rule, how likely are you to come into contact with a snake. Also use the association rule, start to think of snakes in a completely positive way.

Change the term snake to serpant and think of the beauty of the creature.

The only thing you need to change is your mind set.

I hope this helps in a small way as that is where you need to begin, with the small serpents and then work your way up, but remember they are not what your mind thinks they are.

Sam

I have a phobia and breathing is very important because, the first thing You stop doing is breathing. We inhale and hold our breathe until our body starts to panic. Maybe go to the libary get some books on snakes go somplace quite and every page You turn breathe take several breaths until You feel the calmness. God Bless You

Well, consider yourself in good company -- the fictional "Indiana Jones" ALSO has a fear of snakes!  (So do I....but not more than I fear other nasty things....like bugs and nosey neighbours!)

I'm certanly not an expert on this....but I did read once that, if a person has a fear of DOGS, for example, one should try to start being with little tiny dogs.  They're cute, and not so agressive as larger dogs.  (In fact, I was recently in the hosptal...then went to a rehab place.  This re-hab place allowed Pets!  Imagine my shock and delight, one day, as I saw a Pomeranian pup, and a Doberman Pincher pup, playing together in the hallway, as if they had been siblings!)

So, my advice to you, (and me -- should I ever need it), would be either to buy a baby snake, or go to the zoo and watch a baby snake.  (Or perhaps get a :ysed: ibe vua /anazon etd, 

I guess that if you are living in a wild forest yes its very likely to be afraid of snakes because there are snakes every were on the wild. But if you are just in an urban area I think you don't have to worry about it cause you hardly couldn't see any snakes living in an urban area. have you tried having an EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique? I've heard its a very good therapy it helps in fighting every kind of phobia that you had. This is the site that I found eft training I hope it helps you to fight your phobia with snakes.