Acrophobia
Another acrophobe here. My hands and my feet literally begin to hurt when the fear kicks in. And my hands start sweating profusely.
The weird thing is, this sort of thing kicks in even if I’m not the one who is in the high place. Heck, just watching the opening sequence of Mission Impossible 2 gave me the willies (the rest of the movie just made me ill…), complete with aching and sweaty hands. If I were ever in a situation where I had to hang on for dear life…I’d slip and fall to my gruesome death. It also makes me very uncomfortable to see people sitting on ledges and such.
However, as freaked out over heights as I get, I did actually do a 10,000ft skydive once. It was a tandem jump (I would probably not be able to go solo), and the jump master had to literally push me out of the plane.
Ah, the things we do for love…
I’m also acrophobic. I can fly in airplanes and things like that, but NO WAY am I walking to a cliff edge, bungee jumping, going off the high dive, etc. Maybe this is more accurately called aeroacrophobia: fear of open high places, cuz if I’m enclosed I feel much safer.
My friend Dave has coulrophobia: fear of clowns.
My favorite from the link given earlier is arachibutyrophobia: fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. This is wide-spread enough that there’s a name for it?
I used to be afraid of spiders, heights, and snakes. However, I have gotten over all of these, so I don’t really know any specific fears I have.
I would say that I have a fear of failure and a fear of rejection (by a person or a group). Though, fear is a strong word. It’s more of an anxiety, though it usually doesn’t last long. If I am rejected, I no longer care about it, and the same goes for if I fail at something.
Oh wait! I just thought of something! I have a fear of calling people on the phone. I have no idea what you call it, but I have to know someone very well before I can call them on the phone comfortably. And yet, in person I have no problem talking to someone I know, or someone I’ve never met before. I’m very personable either way. But on the phone, it’s a different story. I get all worked up just calling somebody. The only thing that really helps this is writing down the things that I want to ask/talk to the person about beforehand. I think I’ve learned it from my mom, as she suffers from the same fear.
I just thought of an interesting fear my friend has. First and foremost, he is a technophobe: he is afraid of technology to a great degree. Hates using a computer, or anything computerized.
But that’s not the interesting part. My friend is absolutely, drops-a-load-in-his-pants terrified of CGI. Yes, that’s right, Computer Generated Graphics. If a movie has CGI in it, there needs to be predominantly human elements to it or he won’t watch it. He still has yet to see either of the Toy Story movies, hates even watching the previews for them or Dinosaur or any of the other all CGI movies. Doesn’t even like talking about them. Very strange to say the least, as he’s not afraid of regular animation, or anything like that. It might relate back to his technophobia.
I am afraid to get a shot. The thought of getting stuck by a needle just freaks me out. When I finally do get a shot, or have blood drawn, it never seems that bad. The next time I need a shot, I get worked up al over again. Knife cuts etc… don’t bother me at all, pretty weird.
I hate having things around my throat. Necklaces, scarves, ties, turtle necks, hands - none of these are allowed near my neck.
I can’t stand having my blood pressure taken.
It freaks me out to the point where I become faint.
Giving blood, on the other hand, causes absolutely no problems.
Thanks, mega, you just reminded me of the only real phobia I have. I’m the exact opposite of you; I fear having blood taken and needles with a passion. I generally pass out if the doctor has to take any blood, and I get really nervous if I have to get a shot (though not as bad as giving blood). Same goes with novacane at the dentist’s.
How bad does it get? Well, I have trouble watching people use needles in movies. Which is odd, as Trainspotting is one of my favourite movies. But I don’t really have trouble in that movie. I have more trouble with Pulp Fiction, though I really like it too. It’s just that when needles are used in it, they do close-ups so you can see it very clearly. Makes me nautious. Then there’s the…scene where…he stabs her in the heart with the needle. silent_rob faints
Fear of rejection. I can’t even approach a girl with amorous thoughts… Can’t speak to them. Have to be friends. No relationship… no rejection. Please. I can’t take it.
Fear of failure. I don’t even try, because I might fail. I can’t take that.
–Tim
Here are a few:
Fear of speaking in front of a group of people (what’s that called?)
Calling people on the phone (silent-rob mentioned this also)
Until about six months ago, using computers and talking over the Internet
Job interviews, especially panel interviews
Worry that I might someday outlive any of my precious daughters
Fear that I won’t be able to find a job that pays enough to pay my bills
All for now.
Fear of dead animals. It would probably extend to humans as well but I haven’t been in the presence of one as of yet.
dead humans that is…