A woman explained how a phobia of hedgehogs "ruins her life" during Thursday's instalment of ITV's This Morning.
The caller, named Ingrid, asked Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield not to laugh as she described how the fear takes hold of her.
The conversation formed part of a segment with Nik and Eva Speakman, therapists who help people with phobias.
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Ingrid said: "It ruins my life and I know people laugh but I can't go out in the summer time because I've got to be home by 6.30pm, they come out at night.
"I can't sit outside in summer. I'm petrified, if I see one I'm shaking."
Nik Speakman replied: "Nobody is born with a phobia. You can 100% get over this."
When he asked for more information about her first memories of the phobia Ingrid said she had snuck across the landing with her brother as children to watch some TV.
A programme her parents were watching featured a sketch where somebody bit into a hedgehog sandwich.
Later, Ingrid was playing with her brother in the shed when they saw a hedgehog.
She "screamed" and ran indoors, and was inconsolable.
Nik continued: "You were sneaking, you already knew you were doing something you shouldn't and on high alert.
"The programme was on after 9 o clock because it contained content you shouldn't have been watching.
"For a young child to see someone eating a hedgehog sandwich is terrifying and in that moment you have to find something to blame so we can protect ourselves in the future.
"You blamed the hedgehog and it became an irrational fear, now we provide a rational explanation and can help dilute it."
Ingrid said she was beginning to feel better, and thought maybe help was available to her.
Co-host Phillip interjected: "It's about looking at what you're frightened of and seeing what's actually to blame."
The Speakmans said they would call Ingrid back with further advice after the show.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV and the ITV Hub
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