# Your personal phobia **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 3, 2002, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589 "2002-04-03T15:34:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/1 "2002-04-03T15:34:30Z")
Mine: I CANNOT sit in the back seat of a two-seater vehicle. I hate the idea that I don’t have my own “escape door”; that I cannot get out anytime I want, and lets not even talk about being trapped in the back if there’s a wreck… Even typing about it makes me feel sweaty and constricted. You? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/2 "2002-04-03T15:37:03Z")
I can’t sleep if I can see out the window because I"m afraid I’ll see a UFO. And I can’t sleep with my head completely covered because I have a fear of being bludgeoned. And I can’t listen to the song “Just the Two Of Us”. I don’t know why…but three or four times it has triggered the worst panic attacks I’ve ever had. j ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/3 "2002-04-03T15:58:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > **I can’t sleep if I can see out the window because I"m afraid I’ll see a UFO.** I have never used a sig, but if I ever do I am asking your permission, **Jarbabyj** to allow me to use the above statement. In the meantime, I will be mulling it over in my mind in the hope of discovering possible hidden implications. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/4 "2002-04-03T16:05:29Z")
Ha. Well, take it and use it in good health. It’s a fear I’ve had since childhood. I like to look at the stars and such…but not for too long, because if I see a ufo, I’ll friggin’ flip OUT. I have to have shades drawn, blinds closed when I try to sleep because of it. j ---
**Author:** ![Orange\_Took](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Orange\_Took](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orange_Took)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/5 "2002-04-03T16:18:37Z")
Birds. Pigeons to be specific. They’re just so nasty and infected with all kinds of diseases and they poop in your hair and God they scare the crap out of me. The worst thing that ever happened to me was the time a pigeon flew into my car while I was driving. Took nearly ten minutes to get that damn thing to fly back out. Just thinking about it gives me the shakes. Excuse me as I curl into a ball and cry myself to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Mnementh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/6 "2002-04-03T16:23:43Z")
Being in water where I cannot see the bottom, or which goes up past my knees. On a good day. I’m not sure why. I can’t swim in lakes, or even deep rivers. Pools and small streams are fine, but anything else, damn. I’m just not a water person. I avoid swimming at all if I can, really, but if everyone else is going to the pool, I’ll join 'em. If they’re going to the beach, well… I forgot my trunks, I’m afraid. ---
**Author:** ![Skerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Skerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skerri)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/7 "2002-04-03T17:27:28Z")
Needles. Any size, shape, form. Needles in tv shows, movies, or in pictures. Enough to make me freak out and run from the room if I can’t look away or be distracted. A girl I once worked with told me that she had a dream that I attacked her with a needle one day. She realized how silly this was later when she had to hold me down while I was getting a TB test. I also got freaked out when a drug rep brought pens to our pharmacy that were shaped like syringes. ---
**Author:** ![JavaMaven1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/8 "2002-04-03T17:57:11Z")
Snails. They’re just slimy and nasty and gross. They creep me out big time. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/9 "2002-04-03T18:03:19Z")
I can’t sleep if I can see out the window because I’m afraid I’ll see somebody looking in. And they won’t have a face. ---
**Author:** ![stargazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@stargazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stargazer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/10 "2002-04-03T18:18:07Z")
I don’t like spiders, but I can deal with them if I absolutely have to. But that’s why I got me a husband! 😃 My real phobia is throwing up. Not just me, mind you, anyone near me. I freak out if I see or hear anyone yerking. Even on tv, in movies, etc. I mean, said husband was playing a video game a couple of weeks ago – an old one, so it’s not like there were realistic noises or images or anything – and one of the characters was on a ship and got seasick. Hubby said, jokingly, “look out, he’s going to puke!” and I automatically shut my eyes tight and stuck my fingers in my ears. I freak out if I think someone _might possibly_ throw up. On the plus side, I’m sure this phobia has kept me out of plenty of trouble, since I tend to stay away from the types of parties where get that drunk. I will go _far_ out of my way to avoid having to deal with that situation. I know, I’m a freak. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/11 "2002-04-03T18:44:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > **And I can’t sleep with my head completely covered because I have a fear of being bludgeoned.** After my first post I got to thinking whether you feel that the aliens from the UFO that you don’t want to see are the ones that would be doing the bludgeoning? And is there any connection in your mind between UFO’s and “Just the Two of Us”. If we find a connection we could wrap this all up into one great big phobia, rather than a bunch of little ones. My interest comes from the fact that these do not seem to be related to ordinary phobias such as fear of being closed in, spiders, high places, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Mogwei22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@Mogwei22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mogwei22)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/12 "2002-04-03T18:59:04Z")
I have an intense fear of getting my teeth bashed in. In a car, on a bus, the T or an amusment ride I’m convinced that I’m seconds away from whatever vehicle I’m in stopping short and causing my head to snap forward and my teeth to be bashed out on whatever is in front of me. Not only do I have the fear of it happening, but once I start thinking about it I can’t stop thinking about how horrible the pain would be. Ok, I really have to stop thinking about this now. ---
**Author:** ![Calliope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Calliope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calliope)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/13 "2002-04-03T19:03:38Z")
Needles. I once passed out just looking at a picture of a diabetic taking an insulin injection. I tried to give blood once and couldn’t finish. I had to have the thing ripped out of my arm. I can’t stand to sleep with my arms stretched out because I feel like someone will stick a needle in my vein. I have to sleep with the covers all the way up to my chin becuase I used to be afraid of the “China Doll” story, where she would come and scratch my neck with her nails. Now I guess I just feel vulnerable if my neck is exposed. And I absolutely hate wooden popsicle sticks. For some reason, the make my ears hurt just to think of them. The taste makes me squirm. And knives. I can’t stand to leave a knife out in the sink or on the counter. I “hide” them under dirty plates or what not. OK, I am a freak. ---
**Author:** ![donnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@donnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnat)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/14 "2002-04-03T20:18:25Z")
DROOL…ugh! I can’t stand even the thought of it _shudder_ on me, near me, on tv…I should specify human drool, dogs are ok. And those supposed humans that wander around with wads of spittle in the corners of their mouths…I can’t even describe how revolting that is. DROWNING 24 years ago I was reading my (then) SO’s Playboy about the Ted Kennedy fiasco/Chapaquidick (sp) and the picture was of a woman trapped in a car underwater with her hair all splayed out around her and her eyes wide open in fear and that image has never left me. I still love to swim, but that has ever since been in the back of my mind. ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/15 "2002-04-03T20:37:21Z")
I have claustrophobia, but not too bad. I get uncomfortable if I’m cooped up and can see how easy it would be to let it get away from me and bloom into a full blown panic attack. A former co-worker wouldn’t pick up wooden utensils. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![\_your\_name\_here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/919ad9/32.png) [@\_your\_name\_here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_your_name_here)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/16 "2002-04-03T20:44:23Z")
i don’t really have any fears. maybe a few discomforts, but no fears. i’mma freak as well. woo! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![auntie\_em](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@auntie\_em](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/auntie_em)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/17 "2002-04-03T20:53:26Z")
I feel so vindicated after reading this thread! First of all, I am SO! with those of you who can’t stand needles. Can’t see them on TV, can’t see them in person, bawl like a baby if there’s one in my arm. My friends and family can rest assured that I WILL NEVER EVER EVER become a heroin addict (yes, I know that you can get heroin into your system in other ways, but work with me, here). Second of all, if I see anyone barf, you can bet I’ll be joining them! Ditto if I see someone DROOL, or even if I spot a lugie (sp?) on the sidewalk. Once, as a day camp counselor, I watched one boy grab another boy by the neck and hawk a lugie into his open mouth. I puked (the good news about this was that the boys stopped fighting and came running over to see if I was OK). Oddly enough, I am a really good kisser… 😛 Third of all, I can’t sleep if there’s anyone else awake in the same room who could be watching me, or trying to shove a bean or something up my nose. For this reason, I can’t sleep FACING anyone, which creates quite a dilemma for me, even though I live alone, because my two dogs sleep on opposite sides of my bed. The big one sleeps on the floor, but she’s big enough to peep up over the edge of the bed (especially if she’s not tired) and watch me, and the little one sleeps up on a chair right next to the bed. I can’t even fall asleep if she’s awake, because I know she’s staring at me. I usually end up covering my head with a pillow and arranging the comforter so that I know she can’t see me. Fourth of all, I am terrified of crickets. Unfortunately, the petstore where I get all my goods tends to have a number of little bouncing escapees, so I tip around and watch the floor like a hawk when I’m in there. The last time I was in there, one crept up next to my foot while I was picking out goodies for the rats… I screamed bloody murder and my head nearly hit the ceiling. God, can you imagine Drooling Crickets With Needles? I would die. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/18 "2002-04-03T20:53:43Z")
Heights. A few years ago I visited an old lighthouse, and decided to walk to the top via the internal circular staircase. I got half way up and literally _froze_ , unable to go any higher, but also unable to walk down again! It took many, MANY minutes of self-talk and counsel from my friend AND the lighthouse keeper to get me to totter down WITH MY EYES CLOSED the whole way. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/19 "2002-04-03T20:55:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mnementh \* > \*\*Being in water where I cannot see the bottom, or which goes up past my knees. On a good day. > > I’m not sure why. I can’t swim in lakes, or even deep rivers. Pools and small streams are fine, but anything else, damn. I’m just not a water person. I avoid swimming at all if I can, really, but if everyone else is going to the pool, I’ll join 'em. If they’re going to the beach, well… I forgot my trunks, I’m afraid. \*\* I think I may have posted the exact same thing in a similar thread. I’m absolutely terrified of deep pelagic water, but cannot drag myself away from watching anything on Discovery Channel, MSNBC, Animal Planet, or what have you that shows people or animals in deep water. One of my worst fears is being attacked and eaten by a shark. Since I live in Chicago now my fears are moderately relieved, but uggghhhhhh. I have the same attraction repulsion thing with vomit; I rarely ever do it, and have not thrown up in about 11 years. But I am fascinated and sickened when someone else does. Lately, there’s been a lot of it on the streets, and not just around St. Patrick’s Day. Is there some mad vomit guerilla group roaming the city, blitz-puking their way across town? I also can’t sleep with any limbs hanging over the side of the bed, for fear something will reach up and grab me. For this reason I do not have a bed frame, and my mattress and boxspring sit firmly on the floor. ---
**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589/20 "2002-04-03T21:58:07Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by auntie em_God, can you imagine Drooling Crickets With Needles? I would die. Ha. my friends give me a hard time because I HATE (well, many things, but these 3 always get brought up) butterflies, socks, doughnuts. I am not _frightened_ of them, you understand, I just don’t care for any of these things, to varying degrees, for different reasons. Anyway, they constantly make cracks about how my personal hell would include giant, fuzzy butterflies flitting around with long antennae, wearing droopy, dirty tube socks and carrying doughnuts. Not a pretty image, I must admit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-personal-phobia/101589.md?page=2)