Arachnophobia Free 12+

First of all, the app hasn’t been updated in about 5 years but it works fine on iOS 14.

I downloaded this when I found out my phobia was classified as extreme and was beginning to turn into OCD. That made me realise I needed to do something but if I hadn’t done research and made a plan with my therapist then this app wouldn’t have worked at all.

I’m not sure if this applies to less severe phobias but at least where I was, the cartoons started off way too realistic. I downloaded this 6 months ago but have only just been able to get back to it as before it overwhelmed me. The arachnid used for the thumbnail isn’t in the games, the first level has a much more realistic shape that’s made less scary by it being purple and having a little hat. You also see it crawling around which is the one thing that really sets me off for some reason, the colour and hat didn’t do enough.

You are taken through basic CBT techniques to help change your thought processes but you do need to put more work into that than the app prompts you to do. You also need to realistically repeat each level until you no longer feel anxiety.

I’ve spent the past 6 months getting myself to a point where I can use this without having a panic attack but I’m optimistic that, from here on out, this will really help me to get the rest of the way. It’s a great way to help you conquer your phobia in a lighthearted manner and at your own pace. Given how severe my phobia has been, the price paid feels like a bargain

Not worth the money, just played some weird games that didnt help

The app keeps crashing and going on to my home page when I try to do the 'learning to hypnotise yourself'. I would like this fixed as I paid £4.99 for it and you can't move on in the levels unless you complete the previous. Other than this it is a marvellous app that seems to be helping my phobia, which is why I would like to keep going with it.