Tom wrote to ask about the reality of a site called
The Phobia Clinic. At first glance, the site definitely looks like it represents a real business that's selling a program to help people overcome their fears. The strangeness comes when you
dig into some of the fears that they claim they can cure, and you have to wonder... do such fears or anxieties really exist? For example, they can cure you of
Arachibutyrophobia (that's a fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth),
Ballistophobia (a fear of bullets... but why would anyone want to overcome their fear of bullets? Isn't that a good thing to be afraid of?),
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (fear of long words... the name of the anxiety alone probably sends sufferers into convulsions), and the list goes on and on. Despite all the weird anxieties, I think that the Phobia Clinic is real enough, in the sense that they'll take your money and offer some kind of 'cure.' But I'm skeptical about whether their cure actually works.
Comments
P.S. I also have a phobia, I already wrote about it. Its in the list under my name if you can find it.
Sorry, typo.
I thought I was a "freak" or something. For as long as I can remember I have been "afraid" of paper! Not really afraid, but I freak out when I touch it and when other people touch it. I can't read the newspaper or magazines. I hate the smell and the texture. Whenever I touch, see or smell it, I FREAK OUT. I feel like my nose, mouth and skin is drying out!!! I want to know why I HATE paper so much.
I have the same problem. I can't stand for my hands, feet and lips to be dry. I go through lotion and chap stick like most people go through underwear...it drives my fiance crazy!!! Then if I even get near paper or wood I lose it. I feel like I am drying up..it's awful. I work in an office so I have to deal with paper all day, it kills me! I can't stuff envelopes like "normal" people, and lick and envelope...well you might as well kill me now. i have to fold paper using a pen and sometime I wrap my sweater sleeves around my hand to touch paper..yes I am a FREAK...I know. I can't tell you the last time I actually read a newspaper..and not online. My guess is, it's been YEARS upon YEARS upon YEARS!!! OH...and I can't use pencils unless they are plastic or covered in plastic. Man it feels good to get this out. And then I'm a bit OCD. I can't do things like blink one eye without blinking the other. Then I have to blink them together about twenty times to make it even. Yeah, I know that has nothing to do with paper but I just wanted to get it OUT!!! Anyway, I'm at work so I better WORK!!!! Good to know I am not alone...
I have that problem too! I can't STAND anyone to touch my belly button. I can't even touch it. The thought of anything going in or near it makes me FREAK OUT..my fiance tries all the time, just to show me that it's okay...I can't do it. I can't even touch anyone elses belly button. Ewww....I'm freakin' a little right now...
That would be Amychophobia... X|
ironicaly i also have a bit of calstraphobia but its not as bad as the agoraphobia but the worst of alli have a big fear of crayon i dont no what ti is about them but i just cant touch them or uggg i think its the waxy feeling or sumthing i dont no but its wired but my qustin is wat is that called
Its more of an OCD type thing. I count my
syllables when i'm talking. it is the most
peculiar thing. I do it subconsciously now.
i'll just be talking and saying stuff and
counting my syllables and if they don't fit
into an ever number or a number with a five in it i get upset. and have to fit new words into
it to make it even. yeah i'm a freak. 😊
On another note, I seem to have recently developed a phobia of my nails scratching things. Certain surfaces. I used to bite my nails constantly, and now I don't. I work in a lab, and just seeing the countertops (I don't know what material they are) gets me sweating and speeds up my heart rate. Also, smooth metals, like bowls. And ceramics. I can't even think about it. It makes my nails itch to the point of pain. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! And a name so I can put a name to this monster.
it's something like "mercred..." idk
thanks =]