Ep 3. My Worst Nightmare

My Extreme Animal Phobia season 1 episode 3, titled "My Worst Nightmare," follows individuals who have severe phobias of certain animals and must face them head-on in order to overcome their fears. The episode features a range of phobias, from a woman who is afraid of birds to a man who is terrified of horses.

The episode begins with an introduction to each of the individuals and their specific phobias. We meet Brittany, who has a fear of frogs, and Justin, who is terrified of dogs. We also meet Alison, who is scared of spiders and has been living with her phobia for over twenty years. Each person shares their story, discussing the origins of their phobias and the ways in which they have impacted their lives.

Throughout the episode, we follow each person as they work with a therapist to overcome their fear. We watch as they confront their phobia in various ways, including exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques. For example, Brittany visits a frog farm and touches a frog for the first time, while Justin spends time with a friend's dog and slowly acclimates himself to its presence.

The most harrowing part of the episode comes when Alison must face her worst nightmare: a tarantula. She is visibly anxious and frightened, but she works with her therapist to overcome her fear. They begin with small steps, such as looking at pictures of tarantulas and touching a stuffed animal version. Eventually, Alison must hold a live tarantula in her hands. The scene is tense and suspenseful, but ultimately, Alison is able to overcome her fear and even touch the spider's legs without feeling anxious.

The episode ends with each of the individuals reflecting on their journey and how they feel about their phobia now. Brittany is proud of herself for facing her fear of frogs and feels more confident in herself. Justin realizes that he had been unfairly judging dogs based on his fear, and he now sees them as lovable animals. Alison is emotional as she discusses her experience facing her fear of spiders, realizing that her phobia had been holding her back in many ways.

Overall, My Extreme Animal Phobia season 1 episode 3 is a compelling and emotional look at the ways in which phobias can impact a person's life. We see the courage and determination of each individual as they work to overcome their fear, and we come away with a greater understanding of the power of the human mind.