Do You Have a Phobia for Real?

Flying in an airplane is mine. I have nightmares about it. I've never flown before, am petrified of it, yet wish I could travel that way because driving is very restrictive. I think if I ever needed to fly somewhere I would need to have hypnosis therapy. I had a nightmare about flying just last week where I was actually debating in my mind if it would be better to take xanax or vallium for a flight that I needed to take for some reason.

Spiders! That includes Daddy Longlegs. I'm slightly claustrophobic in crowds and have a slight fear of cities because of the tall buildings and too many people. I only fear heights from tall buildings and don't know if I'm afraid of flying since I've never been on a plane. I'm afraid of diving (not SCUBA diving; I've never had the chance to SCUBA dive). I used to be somewhat afraid of getting shots or having my blood drawn, but taught myself to ignore the pain.

A true phobia will actually prohibit your life in some way. For example, if you are afraid of heights (like me) you will do about anything you can to keep your feet on the ground. No stairs, no elevators, not even a step stool. So while I am afraid of heights, I do not have a phobia of them. It sounds like your family member has a true phobia.

My grandmother was exactly like your friend. Lost all of her teeth, would not go to the doctor at all. She lived to be 83 but was in distress and kind of mentally "off" for the last ten years. She was finally admitted to the hospital right before she died. She had undiagnosed thyroid disease which is what caused all of her anxiety and anger issues. Please, please talk to a mental health professional. I wish so much that our family had tried something like that with my grandmother. She did not have to suffer the way she did, nor die the way she did.

I hope your friend gets help soon.

See if she would be willing to see a behavioural psychologist.

BIRDS!!! I would never hurt one and I do appreciate that some are very beautiful but it is the wings that get to me. The shape, the sound when they are flapping and feathers make me want to hurl. lol I was at this outdoor market one day and there were a lot of birds just wandering about so I avoided them. Well this little kid decided to chase them and they all took off at once and one actually flew past me and its wing came up against my arm. I was sweating like crazy and had to run and throw up in a corner. Very embarrassing. Its weird and I have never been attacked by birds but my big brother did make me watch Alfred Hitchcocks "The Birds" at quite a young age. So I guess I will blame him cause I also blame him for me being slightly claustrophobic cause he used to put me in a box and fart into it and not let me out until I started screaming my head off. Big Brothers are the worst or maybe I was totally gullible!! "sure i'll get into that box" :-) (he was good fun as well but loved to torment us)

I have one phobia whenever I am getting ready to have surgery, I am afraid of dying during surgery, it's a just a tad bit on the irrational side but there's always the fear that it could happen. Then I start thinking about my kids, how will my husband raise them by himself or will he get remarried (I don't think he would) at least not for a long time. I know I know I need psychological help, lol but that's my phobia.

Nasty... To answer your question, I don't have a phobia, but I have a friend with a very strange phobia. She can't handle buttons. That's right, buttons. She can't touch them, and tries to stay away from them. It's a diagnosed phobia, and fear of buttons does actually have a proper name, but I can't remember what it is. Apparently there are other people out there with the same thing.

I wouldn't say I have a phobia.
I think a Phobia is a SERIOUS thing.
After reading the responses I feel out of place hehe
I LOVE spiders, lizards bugs etc
the ONLY
thing is Injections. Not a phobia really, but i start to freak.
Its funny, cause at one time I had over 10 piercings and that never scared me.

I"m afraid of Dr. Needles, IVs, shots, drawing blood etc
I have to have my b/f hold my other hand and distract me or I will burst into tears.

I think its from when I was a really little baby. I have a lot of memories as a kid. When I was a baby I had spinal meningitis, the bad kind..ANd I actually have memories of being poked over and over again in the hospital. I'm guessing that is where it comes from.

Spiders (except daddy long legs). I especially don't like to find them in my sink or bathtub....why do they do that?

Blessings....

When I go to the dentist I am a mess. They know it too...it's in my file! LOL I bring my ipod and listen to it while I LOUDLY hum the whole time they are working on me. I sweat. It's awful. Funny thing...I have never even had that much work done! 3 cavities filled and they didn't even have to numb me. I think if I needed a crown or root canal I would faint.
I HATE flying things. Birds or butterflies put me over the edge. They are so so creepy to me with their long legs and wings. HATE THEM. In fact I just got the shivers writing about them!
I am also not all that fond of fish. I don't care about them in a bowl but if I am swimming with them I will FREAK OUT. The very idea of snorkeling will make me start to hyperventilate. I don't understand the joy in that at all.
great. Now it's bedtime and I am thinking about things that freak me out. lol
L.

Spiders (except daddy longlegs... they only have 2 eyes)

Flying (unless I'm in the cockpit)

Crocodiles (and aligators and caymens and any other similar shaped awful nasty things with jaws that rend and teeth that bite. I'm fine with lizards, just not crocodiles and aligators) Shudder. These more than any other.

Im not afraid of medical procedures and such but im deathly afraid of water. Drowning scares me to death and I seriously wont even get in a tub of water. Showers only :) it does effect my life and swimming pools, lakes anything like that make me sweat, literally. I tried to get over it but in my nearly 33 yrs I still haven't!

And you drove her back home the 2 hours???

I would have told her right then and there I will never ever help her with another medical or dental issue unless she promises to get some type of behavioral and cognitive therapy that worked in the interim.

That was a huge waste of your time and everybody else's, especially at her age. She needs professional help, or she can act our her medical drama with other more willing participants.

It sound silly but I swear it is a debilitating fear. I am beyond petrified of spiders. They cause me freak out, hyperventilate, cry whatever it may be but I just cant handle them. My 2 yr old loves to go to the pet store in malls and I have a really hard time with this because I always fear the damn turaltulas (sp) might be one the loose - scares the S*** out of me

I, myself have white coat syndrome. Funny thing too, since my Dad is a doctor, and mom and stepdad are both nurses! However, I will not neglect my own health and wellbeing because of it. Especially since I have a family of my own now. She should really look into hypnotherapy, as well as make sure she takes something before her appointments. I have found wonderful dentists, physicians,specialists that are very sympathetic and will work through the anxieties and phobias.

I also have a huge fear of heights, and am claustrophobic.

White coat syndrome. There are dentists that specialize in that and can help her. They will use sedatives to calm her down. This is a very real anxiety. Bless her heart, she's endured a lot of pain in her avoidance of medical care because of this anxiety.

I have little ones. They are real but they are not life stopping like your friend. I can get myself to over come for that moment if I HAVE to. But I will try to find every other way out of the situation if I can!

Yup I'm terrified of the dentist! I don't know if it is a true phobia because I had one back home that I trusted and believe me he was pain free and very gentle. But since I moved out of state I have not been and I'm terrified!

My suggestion would be to have her go check out one of those dental spas. If I had the money that is where i would go! They give you a spa like experience, blankets, earphones, aroma therapy etc. All to keep you calm and relaxed. Also find recommendations from others for a gentle pain free dentist! I have had a few recommendations but have not gone myself yet.. maybe some day. I hope your family member find one she can trust and be comfortable with. There is nothing worse than dental pain!

oh my gosh, I was just discussing this with my chiropractor today. He was telling me about his dental phobia. He still goes, but cringes every time. I on the other hand, have a very hard time with needles. I will do anything to avoid them. I had 2 babies, with no medication. I'd do it again too. I hate needles. I had something happen to me at the hospital, when I was 7 years old, and it has stuck with me, so that is why. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I had to have a cortisone shot in my knee. I have had knee trouble for 15 years, and finally relented, to the shot. Anyway, when it was time for my shot, I burst into tears. Yep, I am 45 years old, and I burst into tears. I laugh about it now. Yes, I got my shot, and didn't feel anything. I'm gonna get another one when I need it. I'm not so scared now. That is my phobia!!!

SNAKES I turn the channel if they are on TV --- I won't look at a book with the picture of a snake in it. The only snake that didn't send me screaming is the one in Disney's Jungle Book.

Heights though not as bad as snakes. I simply need to be able to hang on to something if I have to up a glass elevator. If I stay in a hotel I perfer 1st or 2nd floor. And I don't even think about rock or mountain climbing. If I have to look down from a great height I get dizzy and shortness of breath.
Weird though because I love flying.

I never said I was rational.

added
Call around to some dentists offices many offer sleep denistry and cater to 'cowards'. The patient will need a driver though.