I have found recently, that my fear wasn't the actual creature itself, it was not expecting it to be there. I used to be terrified of bees, but have got over it recently after doing the taster beekeeping course, but while getting suited up last week, my son who came with us, found a bee stuck to his glove. I did the usual jump, heart racing, prickly skin thing and everyone was laughing because I was suiting up getting ready to inspect the hive, and had to sit down over a dead bee stuck to a glove!!!
To be fair, I know it is daft to be afraid of these things, and could kick myself for it...it's something that I just wish I could get over, but it isn't something you can control. I think the reason I got over the bees is because I knew they were there, and my mentor calmly took me through it. This is why I've come to the conclusion it is the unexpected, quick scuttling at the corner of your eye that freaks me out. Once I know it is there, I can get on with things. It isn't a nice thing to suffer from, for the rest of the day you feel like something is crawling on you, and the initial fright isn't pleasant either. None of my family react this way, but I was talking to my mum and she told me that when I was about 5, i was at school and a wasp flew and landed on my face, the teachers and children were all stood round telling me to stay still, and close my eyes, then it walked over my eye lid and then flew away. She had to come an pick me up early as I was so upset. The whole school were stood in a circle watching,a nd the whole experience could be why I get so upset.
Still feel daft after though lol
PS The bigger things like tarantulas don't bother me funnily enough, it's the small, fast moving, scuttling things.