Irrational phobias

[HelenePA]

I don't consider it a phobia for myself, but I have a fear of windows at night. I'm afraid of who might be outside and able to see me when I can't see them.
I remember when it began I was 4 and 2 walls of my room had windows. My mother thought it would be neat to use very sheer curtains. Nothing ever happened, but I was spooked and scared since.

She might be afraid that something will crash into the skylight and shattered glass will fall on her--which could be why she's asking if they will hurt her.

I have no idea why she is afraid she wont tell me she just does not like them. We are planning to add on in a few years and were talking about putting in skylights (this was before we knew of her phobia)

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm seeking some advice on how to get over my morbid fear of birds, mainly pigeons, seagulls and crows. I don't even know why I'm terrified of them, but every time I see them, I start getting that panicky feeling and want to run in the other direction. Yesterday, I pulled into the parking lot of the Super Target and I saw several crows near the entrance of the store. I actually sat in the car for like 15 minutes, hoping they'll leave but they never did. I just couldn't bring myself to open the car door to go outside, and ended up driving to another grocery store. Is that pathetic or what?

I know some say the best way to get over it is to confront it, but the thought of getting close and personal with a flock of pigeons makes me break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. Any suggestions or want to share your similar stories so I don't feel like the craziest scardy cat around here?

I have "FOB" also.

I hope you can find a solution to your phobia. My mother has the same phobia of birds. I'm not sure what caused it, but she's afraid of all birds. When my parents went to WDW in January (their 1st trip since the 1980s), I helped them plan everything including where not to eat outdoors (Casey's, La Cantina, Flame Tree) because the birds and ducks that frequent those areas would have been too scary for my mother.

I don't have any suggestions, but I know that the bird phobia can be a bad one because I've seen my mother panic over birds at various places.

Personally, one of my favorite shows at AK is "Flights of Wonder". It took me many trips to go see it even. I love that tour guide and the fear of birds that he has. I can so relate--could do the whole show w/o the scrip!! But not the end part--I'm just not that brave.
Someone said to avoid it. I say think about seeing it. I go see it over and over again!!

Thank you for all the wonderful advice!

I'm going to WDW for the first time in a few days and all I could think about is will there be sea gulls all over the place. My dad and brother always tease me about it and I hate it, but feel powerless to stop being such a wuss. My grandmother used to have two love birds and I had no problem letting them land on my finger or feeding them seed cakes. But when I see a crow, I'm paralyzed with fear that it will somehow come after me. Yet, I don't ever remember being attacked by birds. You would think a 29 year old medical school graduate can sort herself out about these things, but noooo... It's weird, because I am not afraid of snakes, mice, spiders, heights or any other common phobia inducing things. Last year I even went into the crawl space under the house to catch a black snake that was freaking my mom out (which I caught and relocated to a nice woodsy area several miles away). Anyways, to everyone else who have phobias. I hope we can all be free from our fears one day.

One of the worst places tends to be in Epcot on the way to World Showcase going Right out of Futureworld. Lots of seagulls around there--I think they like the McDonald's fries?

I do hair at home and once a bird flew in the shop when someone opened the door. I quickly went under the cape on my client. I said, "Sorry, I do not think I can come out from under here until the bird leaves. "