This article is about the anxiety disorder. See also Arachnophobia (movie) and Arachnophobia (web design)

Arachnophobia is the fear (or phobia) of spiders. It is among the most common phobias, and possibly the most common animal phobia of all. The reactions of arachnophobics often seem irrational to others (and sometimes to the sufferer himself, as well). People with arachnophobia may stay away from any area they believe to be inhabited by numerous spiders or covered in spider webs. If they see a spider they may not enter the general vicinity until they overcome the panic attack that is often associated with it. Like most phobias the fear can be overcome by psychological treatments and through gradual exposure to the object. Another techinque is 'flooding', in which the phobic person is suddenly exposed to a high intensity stimulus.