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A ‘Cure’ That’s Worse Than the Problem

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I strongly warn people with arachnophobia not to see the movie “Arachnophobia.” I made a mistake by taking my wife, who has a fear of insects, to the movie. Someone who had seen the flick told her it would be good therapy for her to face her fear.

But my wife was so terrified she was “paralyzed” in her seat until it was over. Afterward she complained that her face, lips, tongue, hands and feet were numb and she felt horrible.

I called a doctor whose nurse said she was suffering from a classic case of hyperventilation, and the doctor instructed me to make her breathe into a paper bag for about 20 minutes. Afterward she began to feel better. I hope this letter can prevent someone from having a similar experience.

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KELLY COOK

La Crescenta

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