Dave Jackson, a grandad from Lancashire, can finally enjoy his garden after decades of being terrified he might be “attacked” by moths. The 59-year-old traces his lepidopterophobia back to his 20s when he worked night shifts at an envelope-making factory in Darwen.
The factory was a magnet for disoriented bugs due to the bright lights and warm environment. The bugs would often collide with the machinery, land around his desk or even fly directly into him. He confessed: “They frightened the hell out of me.”
Over time, seeing moths outside work left Dave deeply unsettled, thinking “these moths were out to get me, to attack me”. He even thought the insects “could sense” his terror. The fear that a moth might fly past, or worse, directly into him, made the grandad so anxious he couldn’t enjoy summer evenings in the garden with his wife of 16 years, Bev.
This ruled out camping trips and most outdoor activities, with Dave often “dreading summer” when the bugs were likely to be around. Feeling this was “unfair” on Bev, despite her understanding, Dave decided to confront his fear as it had “taken over” his life. He was chosen to take part in an experiment and visit a clinic in Amsterdam specifically designed to help people with fears and phobias.
The Memory Reconsolidation treatment Dave underwent in October 2023 turned out to be a “life-changing” experience, surpassing all expectations. Remarkably, he has since even saved a caterpillar from his shed and made it part of his household.
Dave and his partner Bev discovered the Kindt Clinic through an advertisement for the Channel 4 documentary, “The Fear Clinic,” which is set to broadcast on January 21, featuring Dave’s journey. The clinic employs Dr Merel Kindt’s method, which started with a discussion between Dave and a psychologist before confronting about 30 to 40 moths in a room for a mere five minutes. Recounting the challenging experience, Dave said: “If you want to cry, cry, if you want to scream, scream, but the aim was to try and not leave the room.”
After enduring the intense session, Dave took a beta-blocker and spent time unwinding at the clinic before being advised to have an early night, steering clear of discussing or even thinking about the ordeal. The next morning brought a new revelation for Dave, who felt transformed: “I went back the next day and asked if I could hold a moth.
“I thought it would be big and clumsy but it was soft and gentle, it’s not what I thought it would be.”
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