From the time I was a small child until the time I was away in college, I had a recurring dream, vivid and terrifying: I am running through the countryside being chased by a T. rex. I am separated from my family and running for my life as it closes in on me.

Finally I make it to my house and I am in my bedroom. The dinosaur is reaching its head with mouth agape, pushing in through my window. Paradoxically, I have to flatten myself against the wall right beside the window in order to keep it from seeing me.

To this day, I will not watch a movie or any television show or see a museum exibit that deals with dinosaurs.

However, I vanquished and conquered this dream my third year in college and have not dreamed it since.

I participated in a field ecology project that took me to the Everglades. I've always been extremely outdoorsy and never have I been afraid of any kind of (living) reptile. Both of my brothers work with reptiles in a professional capacity and I am a decent amateur herpetologist. While in the Everglades, I actually jumped on and caught an alligator that was sunning beside a path. I released the gator unharmed.

And I came to some kind of instant realization that I would never have that dream again. It was like something snapped in my head, almost palpable.

For months I waited for the dream to return. It didn't. Ever.

Have you given some consideration to facing your fear? If it is indeed a fear of rattlesnakes and not a fear of something equally powerful but subconscious?

Attend a class or study snakes under a trained professional? Volunteer at a zoo or nature center? Get a pet python?

I understand that fear of snakes can be very real, but they aren't out to get you, you know. They'd just as soon mind their own business.

Some fears are irrational. I guess everyone's different, but some need to be dissected gently and some need to be faced head on.

I also conquered my fear of flying by getting on lots and lots of airplanes. Now I just need to work on high bridges, mountain roads with drop-offs and thunder and lightning

It hasn't worked on the dream that I need to take a final exam and forgot to study. I have a doctorate but I still dream that one. lol.