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
* http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/fear_anxiety_program.asp My thoughts on this are that (a) the box looks fake and (b) it's available via PayPal, a fine service but not one you'd associated with a major company and (c) SHIPPED FOR JUST $9.97 plus $97.77 after 30-day trial seems a bit disingenuous.
Is there a name for this anywhere?
Cheers
Khuzdophobia. Fear of dwarves.
A slightly more professional website said that there is no technical name, however.
I must be special. or retarded
SO SCARED OF SPIDERS DAMN IT.
they freak me out.
just looking at one makes me feel
really anxcious.
i know that they cant really hurt me.
but damn they look scary.
Also when this happens my muscles will tense up.
My b.f. freaks out if he sees anyone touch a Kleenex with wet hands.
I have a fear of computers too. Wait..ahhhhhhhhhh!
I know a person who had a fear of hair and shaves his head bald and well.... his whole body.
EVEN THE EYEBROWS. He looks really odd of course.
what should i do?
they make me fear like i'm about to through-up!
anyone have any sugestions?
but i have so many bizarre phobias.
first is styrofoam i cannot touch it.
its the grossest feeling, and makes a disgusting noise.
i also cant stand aluminum foil,
cotton balls, nail polish remover.
i cant stand when people look at my neck,
it makes me freak out, and yell.
and if they touch my knees, i cry.
because i think my kneecaps gonna shatter
into likea million pieces, or something
i cant stand when my hands are wet; and wrinkle up
and ever since i was real little. i would hold my hands in fists.
until they dried.
i dont like to touch paper, or yellow pencils.
its annoying, because everywhere i go,
im always asking for a different cup, or somehting.
my sister helps out.
she'll touch anything styrofoam for me.
and at restaurants she always takes my paper placemat away.
and the paper on straws and napkin holder-things.
eh; i cant stand that.
if anyone else shares these bizarre phobias, write back.
I also HATE the feeling of really anything on my feet except carpet and some fabrics. I cant stand felt on my feet, or hardwood floors or some other things, gives me chills....
also, i can't stand someone ripping or rubbing something through styrofoam. or the squeakiness of it...
but the paper thing has been with me since i can remember...
Also if things are too soft or mooshy. i dont know. its wierd but i wasnt sure if anyone felt the same.