Skip to main content
ASK AN EXPERT
Got a question about a health story in the news or a health topic? Here's your chance to get an answer. Send us your questions about general health topics, diet and fitness and mental health. If your question is chosen, it could be featured on CNN.com's health page with an answer from one of our health experts, or by a participant in the CNNhealth community.




* CNN encourages you to contribute a question. By submitting a question, you agree to the following terms found below.
You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. By submitting your question, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your questions(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statment.
Thank you for your question!

It will be reviewed and considered for posting on CNNHealth.com. Questions and comments are moderated by CNN and will not appear until after they have been reviewed and approved. Unfortunately, because of the voume of questions we receive, not all can be posted.

Submit another question or Go back to CNNHealth.com

Read answers from our experts: Living Well | Diet & Fitness | Mental Health | Conditions

Expert Q&A

Help: 'I have a fear of snakes'

Asked by Mary, Pennsylvania

Open quote
Close quote

I have a fear of snakes that is making my life miserable. I saw two in my yard and ever since cannot focus. I am afraid to go out. I look under my covers before I go to sleep at night. I run to my car to go to work and I don't want to come home knowing a snake might be outside. This is really interfering with my daily life. It is ruining me.

Expert Bio Picture

Mental Health Expert Dr. Charles Raison Psychiatrist,
Emory University Medical School

Expert Answer

Dear Mary,

I am really sorry to hear of your difficulties. You have one of the most classic cases possible of what psychiatrists call "Specific Phobia."

The official diagnostic language says that this condition is defined by 1.) a marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation; 2.) that exposure to the phobic stimulus almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response; 3) that the person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable; and 4.) that the avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress in the feared situation(s) interferes significantly with the person's normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or social activities or relationships, or there is marked distress about having the phobia.

Even from your brief description it is clear you qualify on all counts.

Even though your fear of snakes qualifies as a psychiatric condition, you should know that some degree of "snake fear" is one of the deepest anxieties in humans everywhere, and not just in humans but in other primates as well. There are fascinating experiments on monkeys showing that it's easier to induce a fear of snakes than anything else.

Clearly we evolved this fear because so many snakes are indeed dangerous and best avoided. The phrase best avoided usually is followed with "at all costs," but clearly you are living proof that this last part isn't true. The cost of being truly phobic -- even about potentially dangerous things -- can be so high as to ruin a life -- as you point out.

I really want to recommend that you do the legwork to find a therapist who specializes in a type of therapy called "systematic desensitization" or "exposure therapy."

This treatment involves gradually exposing someone to the thing they fear, first in imagination, usually, and then gradually in reality. This exposure is combined with strategies to help the patient challenge and control their unrealistic negative thoughts and emotions.

Amazingly, this simple treatment intervention is one of the most effective treatments in all of psychiatry. It is estimated to work more than 75 percent of the time.

You are lucky that such an effective intervention is available. The odds are very high that if you make a commitment to getting this help you will get your life back and will be able to get back to walking, instead of running, to your car.

For more information on phobias, check out this recent CNN.com article.

More Q&A

  • CNN's Medical UnitCNN's medical unit brings you the best experts available to answer your questions about current events and health issues that matter most to you.
Expert: Did 'Kony' director have 'manic episode?'asked by: By Dr. Charles Raison, Special to CNN; (CNN)
Do homeopathic treatments for ADHD work?asked by: Asked by Suzie;
Are mood swings a sign of depression?asked by: Asked by Jeffery T. Johnson; San Diego, California

CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.

The information contained on this page does not and is not intended to convey medical advice. CNN is not responsible for any actions or inaction on your part based on the information that is presented here. Please consult a physician or medical professional for personal medical advice or treatment.