Do you have an irrational phobia? What is it?

[autumnpalm]

Tornadoes.

I hate rainy days because I fear that a tornado might come. When I was a kid I used to move all must stuffed animals down into the basement every time it was windy. My parents had to talk to my teachers and have them explain an emergency plan to me if a tornado ever occurred at school. I watch the weather channel constantly and freak out if there's a thunderstorm warning in the forecast!

This past summer there was a tornado very near where I live and we ended up in a Costco for shelter (we were in the car and the weather was absolutely awful) and I was crying and shaking so much in the Costco that some of the lovely staff members brought me water and had me sit down. I couldn't leave the building until closing because I was afraid to be outside again.

We watched Twister once in school when I was about 10 or 11 and I almost passed out at my desk. SO did not need to see that movie!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Birds. I am absolutely terrified of them. It does cause my family great amusement to watch me run from them when we are down the shore.

I have the same issue, although I'm getting better as I get older. I can tolerate and even appreciate some kinds of birds from a distance and as long as it's not flying close to me. This applies to songbirds like cardinals and orioles.

However, I loathe vermin type birds like seagulls and pidgeons. I hate those things and like N. Bailey is with mice/rats, I can't even stand to look at or touch a photo of them.

 

[robinb]

Clowns. I can actually handle them, even pretty close, but I prefer not to. They creep me out and I literally hide behind my husband. We own at DVC Boardwalk Villas and I *still* call it the "scary clown slide".

 

[acejka]

Clowns. I can actually handle them, even pretty close, but I prefer not to. They creep me out and I literally hide behind my husband. We own at DVC Boardwalk Villas and I *still* call it the "scary clown slide".

Ahh! I'm scared of clowns but not phobic! We are staying at boardwalk for the first time in January... luckily they just sent us a letter saying that luna park pool will be down for refurb, and we will have to use stormalong bay... sorry for the inconveince! DARN!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Clowns. I can actually handle them, even pretty close, but I prefer not to. They creep me out and I literally hide behind my husband. We own at DVC Boardwalk Villas and I *still* call it the "scary clown slide".

I'm not crazy about that clown pool either. If I stayed there, I'd ask for a "non-clownview" room. I'd rather look out my window and see a parking lot than see that clown face.

 

[Bluestars]

Oh, I thought of another fear. Medical tests. I hate them. I haven't had any medical problems in over 20 years, but the thought of any kind of test makes my palms sweaty and my heart beat fast. It's irrational.

When I had my last mammogram, they called me back in for more pictures and took picture after picture for over an hour. Then I had to have an ultra sound. I was practically crying by the time they were finished. Everything was fine, but I think the experience took 5 years off of my life because of my fears.

 

[MinnieTink]

So ridiculous but I cannot watch my kids swing on the swingset!! I swear my throat feels like it will just about close up. I have to really talk myself out of my anxiety. And I just look away.

And wind. I can't stand the sight of the trees blowing around in a windy day. Or the sound of windchimes. Ugh!!! Unfortunately I think I passed that on to DD9. I don't think I ever came out and said I hated the wind or windchimes but 2 years ago she completely FREAKED out because of windchimes.

It's comforting to know that other people have phobias, however different they might be. I'd rather eat a plate of mustard and ketchup with a clown, and a bird on my shoulder than listen to windchimes!! LOL.

 

[Narnian_Princess]

Mine is bees/wasps. I've never been stung, so I don't know what it is about them that sends me into an irrational panic. Last Sunday in the church van a bee somehow got in the van and landed on the inside of my window... Thank God we weren't moving because before I knew it I had launched myself over 2 people to the door and would have opened the door and jumped out if someone hadn't already killed the thing. Even when I saw it dead I couldn't sit in that same seat again.

I have gotten way better than I used to be, though. About 5 years back I just wouldn't go outside if I didn't have to just so I wouldn't have to worry about being dive bombed by one of the things. Now, as long as they're at least 8 feet away, and I can avoid them, I'm okay.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Stairs, worse if there are no backs, ladders, and birds. Im not afraid of heights though, just would rather take the elevator there or a ramp.

 

[brasswillow]

talking on the phone

I am terrified of calling people on the phone.

The funny thing is I am a receptionist. I have no problem answering the phone for work.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Clowns. I can actually handle them, even pretty close, but I prefer not to. They creep me out and I literally hide behind my husband. We own at DVC Boardwalk Villas and I *still* call it the "scary clown slide".

Same here, and frogs!

 

[DawnCt1]

When I was a younger adult, I used to get very anxious at the first sign of snow. I didn't quite understand this because as a kid, I loved snow. My father had a history of heart disease, and later he had a heart attack. He was always very independent and when my brother and I lived home, we always did the driveway. While I was away at school, it didn't enter my mind because my brother was younger than me and always did the driveway. It began to occur after my father had passed away and I never connected it to him. It started out as mild anxiety and progressed. I finally said to myself, "This is ridiculous. Where does this come from?" I thought it through. Everything that snow ever meant and I realized it was worry that my father would shovel the driveway and have a heart attack. Totally irrational because he was "gone". After I realized out loud, that snow couldn't hurt him anymore, it went away. What seems irrational often has very real roots.