Fear of snakes randomly occurred... Advice appreciated.

Over the last couple of days i've felt extreme anxiety when i am around snakes, even my own, i feel like i am on the verge of a full blown panic attack when i am changing their water or even looking at them. I have no idea what would cause this as i have always had an unbreakable fascination and love for these creatures. It had nothing to do with a bite as i've been bitten by everything from a 14 foot Retic, an 8 foot Yellow Anaconda, a Vine Snake to hatchling Ball Pythons. Any ideas or suggestions? I am very saddened by this.

Are you on any medications that can affect your anxiety levels?

I don't take any medication, except for a Tylenol here and there. :P

If you have an anxiety disorder that you recently started new medications for, be aware that every medication for it will more that likely make it worse for a while. Benzodiazepines don't, but those are best avoided if possible. VERY addictive.

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I did get off of Suboxone as of a month ago so i do wonder if that could have something to do with it.

I'd say it's a definite possibility. It does alter brain chemistry.

Unfortunately, I can't legally give you medical advice, but I CAN tell you that it's a good idea to go see your primary MD.

Also, check your PM's.



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Could it be that you are just generally stressed out, any recent changes in day to day activity? Is it just the snakes that are setting it off or do you notice other things do as well?

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

Could it be that you are just generally stressed out, any recent changes in day to day activity? Is it just the snakes that are setting it off or do you notice other things do as well?

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That's a good question. You should see if there are other sources of stress in your life and try to examine the cause of the anxiety. Is there anything else that causes undue stress?

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Originally Posted by dkspftw

That's a good question. You should see if there are other sources of stress in your life and try to examine the cause of the anxiety. Is there anything else that causes undue stress?

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My reasoning for asking this is because it sounds like high anxiety and not a "fear" of snakes from your description. I have noticed that sometimes when I am really stressed and I go to handle or work with any of my animals weather it be my dogs or reptiles I start to get anxious, sweaty palms etc, but it is generally just caused because of the fact that you have to focus on what you are doing and that added focus can pile on top of already being stressed out.

thats weird.

i guess its maybe just some general heightened anxiety that needs to express itself in some way and needs an outlet.

maybe there is some underlying issue that is completely different, and if you would be a gun enthusiast instead of a snake keeper, you would now get scared of your own guns. im no expert and i wonder if any real psychology experts frequent this forum, but i heared that there can be conditions that cause rational normal people to develop random phobias.

i would have it checked out. if you work on the snake phobia, and the actual issue is deeper, you would just get scared of clowns or water or something. and some of the possible deeper issues could be the onset of a metabolic issue affecting brain chemistry, a mild stroke that went unnoticed, a brain tumor, some medication messing with your neurochemistry, a problem with hormones. i dont want to worry you, just saying that it may be a symptom of something completely different.

but then i guess it can also be completely random. a random phobia of something that didnt bother you in the past suddenly shows up, and you deal with it, and it goes away. kinda like noticing a little bit of blood on the toilet paper after wiping your behind. maybe its a symptom for something, maybe its just a random thing.