Bizarre Phobias

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.

Psychology

Posted on Fri Nov 21, 2003



Comments

I have the fear of lotions and creams. Any idea what the proper name for it is?

Google yahoo and ask have no idea 😊
Posted by Lilly  on  Fri Jan 08, 2010  at  05:06 PM
I am terrified of wet napkins, tissue, toilet paper[even tho i have to use it], cotton balls, wet paper...and cats and dogs. Everytime some one accidentally puts a wet napkin near were i am i start to cry..or worse yet i start to hyperventilate..i really hate it because people thik i am wierd..but i just cannot help it..its so disgusting!
Posted by Dana Smith  on  Fri Jan 08, 2010  at  08:30 PM
Hi

I have two main phobias
1- of certain materials like wool, cashmere and carpets. i always have to wear shoes or at least socks if i walk on a carpet. i especially freak out when standing on the little green carpets you find at the supermarket in the fruit and veg section

2 sometimes i become very aware that the pavement that im walking on is filthy. particularly if its raining and panic about finding the nearest place to sit down so i can elevate my feet off the floor.

i did a little searching and apparently "textophobia" is the term for the first issue. does anyone else feel like this? because my family think im overreacting but I feel so panicy aand uncomfortable, i would feel so much better knowing im not the only one
Posted by alice  on  Wed Jan 13, 2010  at  10:04 PM
I can not find the word for, or even some one else who feels the same way, but I'm afraid of pillow cases. I'm afraid there gonna cover my nose when I sleep and smother me to death. Anyone know anything about that?
Posted by Phoebe  on  Mon Jan 18, 2010  at  12:34 AM
my frend has a fear of frogs.. she heard one croaking and she like started to hypervetilate and freak out 😊
Posted by sara  on  Sun Jan 24, 2010  at  05:23 PM
I have the fear of scratching paper. :\
Posted by Daria  on  Mon Feb 01, 2010  at  12:36 AM
Oh wow, finely someone else feels what I feel with chalk, ITS HORRIBLE, I actually cant stand the thought of touching it at all and now im thinking about it I have to keep rubbing my finger nails on my thumb between each word for some reason lol, I took art as a GCSE and it was very hard to even be sat near people using chalk D: I get it with charcoal too and anything powdery that scrapes on paper or something EWW :L
Posted by Sadie  on  Sun Feb 07, 2010  at  06:35 AM
I have an irrational fear of baby corns. I cannot be around them, look at them, smell them, nevermind EAT them. I don't know what it is about them but it is the scariest thing to me, as well as wet paper I have to leave the room. It's so bad, and it's such a shame because most people don't take me seriously on either of these phobias.
Posted by stephanie  on  Fri Feb 12, 2010  at  10:20 AM
I have a very strange phobia. It is of rough or eneven things. Like sandpaper, chalk and scratchy trousers. Things like that really creep me out. I have to touch something smooth or think about something smooth to calm me down like plastic.
Posted by Alex  on  Mon Feb 15, 2010  at  06:56 AM
I can't believe I've found other sufferers with the 'touching paper' thing...but, quite bizarrely, I have the exact opposite fear....touching paper with dry hands. I have to slap lots of moisturiser on them first, or wet my hands slightly, otherwise I simply cannot touch paper. It is an intense form of heebie jeebies if I do. It is quite debilitating, as I come into contact with lots of paper. People think I'm a freak.
Posted by Matthew  on  Mon Feb 15, 2010  at  03:04 PM
i'm glad there are some people with my phobias, people never take me seriously when i say i have a phobia of soap, i still use soap, im a clean freak, but i rinse my hands for ages afterwards and cant leave a single bit on my hands,one of my tutors at school let me use the bathroom, then didnt let me leave the classroom again coz i'd left some soap between my fingers (the worst place for me) so i ran outta the room and then came back afterwards and got put in detention =|
i also can't stand oils, lotions, washing up liquid or creams and i have eczema as well =|
Posted by Kaleb  on  Thu Feb 18, 2010  at  05:45 PM
oh i forgot to mention i have an extremely strange OCD as well...
with potato waffles they come as 5x4 squares, i have to make them 4x4 then cut 2 sides off to make 3x3, i dont know why i just can't eat waffles if they're not even
Posted by Kaleb  on  Thu Feb 18, 2010  at  05:47 PM
I HATE the sound of pencils or markers on paper. It makes me crazy. I used a pencil without a tip the other day and thought I was going to die. The sound it made when it dug into the paper still gives me goosebumps just to think of it. I also hate the sound of markers on paper or when someone folds the paper and rubs it together. Or even touching paper. I have always had this problem but I don't know anyone else like me. People laugh at me when they find out and do it more but they don't understand how much it hurts me. I would much rather hear nails on a chalkboard.
Posted by Donna  on  Sun Feb 28, 2010  at  07:09 PM
i am only 12 and i cant stand the feeling of styrofoam it gives me bumps on my arms and my ears foled in its a scary feeling even when i hear it it scares me my parents and famiely members think i am wiered and i just had to let it out my brothers get me so mad when they push styrofoam at my face i cry sometimes my parents didnt know what i had so i found this place thats so cool to let out what i am feeling.
Posted by kayla  on  Thu Mar 18, 2010  at  12:52 PM
Does anyone here have a fear of your feet being looked at or a fear of touching bald heads? Does anyone know what either of these fear might be called, other than Podophobia?
Posted by Brianna  on  Thu Mar 18, 2010  at  03:30 PM
hi,i also have a phobia of being tickled,it scares me even thinking about it,what is it called?? not being tickled by feathers just tickled in general.can i be cured??
Posted by lynette  on  Sat Mar 20, 2010  at  08:05 PM
i am afraid of soap Anybody else???
Posted by Joshua  on  Tue Mar 23, 2010  at  04:49 PM
I have an fear of lotions and creams, but not soap or germ-x, or shampoo, I also have a skin itching condition, so I can't stop it with the cream, the lotion make my skin crawl as well as sand paper and nail filers, anyone else?
Posted by Spencer  on  Tue Mar 23, 2010  at  08:17 PM
And the fear of midgets is the most common phobia, they kind of creep me out, but I don't FEAR them,....
Posted by Spencer  on  Tue Mar 23, 2010  at  08:19 PM
I fear bridges especially crossing them. I have the unresonable fear that they will collapse as im crossing them or that someone will throw me off. If someone is walking with me they have to cross the bridge in front of me otherwise I wont cross. the higher the bridge the worse the fear. I am also afraid of being hated or being chewed out,this has all but ruined me for working.
Posted by adam blair  on  Thu Mar 25, 2010  at  03:19 AM
I have really severe Emetophobia (Phobia of vomiting). Also, I have slight Bathmophobia, which is a phobia of steep slopes. I think that might link to my slight phobia of feeling vertigo.
Posted by Miki  on  Thu Mar 25, 2010  at  01:13 PM
I have a serious fear of spiders and bugs :grrr:

they MASSIVELY creep me out...

Oompa loompas scare me too lol
Posted by Angie  on  Fri Mar 26, 2010  at  03:11 AM
i also have an insane fear of napkins. ever since i was little, just the feeling of them and even the sound they make when someone is rubbing their hands on them, it is actualy disgusting. its hard to even watch someone use them! i also dont like some notebooks, when my arm rubs against the paper when i am writing in them!
Posted by michelle  on  Sun Mar 28, 2010  at  10:35 AM
I cant sleep with my feet sticking out the end of a blanket. they have to be tucked in because otherwise somebody may be able to walk in and grab my foot! haha i know its stupid and if there was someone else in the house thats the least of my concerns, but i just can't reason with myself.
Posted by lath  on  Fri Apr 09, 2010  at  06:21 AM
I'm scared of touching napkins or brown paper towels... I have had this phobia for as long as i can remember. I especially hate touching the cheap brown paper towels when my hands are dry. or the sound of these things when the brush together or crumple together. ugh.... just thinking about it freaks me out. It's just the feeling of them. The sound of it just reminds me of the feeling. I flip out when i do, like I get this jolt inside me and it gives me goose bumps. I don't know if there is a name of this fear.
Posted by Kayla  on  Mon Apr 12, 2010  at  04:59 PM
i am terrified of Rust!
Posted by Tiarra  on  Wed Apr 14, 2010  at  06:31 PM
I have a fobia of shaving foam. That is blates not normal,, i wanna know the name for it 😊 i have and i dont think ever will come accross anyone else who has a fear of it 😊
Posted by rosie101  on  Wed Apr 28, 2010  at  12:21 PM
I have a fear of wooden spoons
i dont know why
i have never been hit with a wooden spoon, i am just terrified by the thought of wooden spoons
is there a word for that?
Posted by elizabeth  on  Mon May 03, 2010  at  01:54 AM
i have a phobia of scratching paper with fingernails my own or someone else's.
Posted by santasia teal  on  Wed May 05, 2010  at  07:03 PM
Alix. Both me and my sister have the same fear. We just hate it when an object or people touch our collorbones. I can take an object and lightly touch it for like a sec before freaking out. With people I can't do it at all. Its like I think about it breaking or going too. Even though I know it wont I still can't stand it.
Posted by Marie  on  Wed May 12, 2010  at  02:49 PM
Im terribly afraid of brain sergury or bones such as the spine and the skull i also have a fear of hospitals :/ but i also have skoliosis which i think has a infuence on it.. eh i cant stand x-rays of the skull or spine well not other people really mainly my own x-rays they terrify me i end up over thinking it..it always crosses my mind atleast 3 times a day if not more and when it does its hard to get rid of the thoughts is there a cure....? does anyone else feel the way i do about these things?
Posted by Angie torres  on  Tue May 18, 2010  at  10:41 PM
OMG i have the biggest fear of ants! i have never really trusted them, but last year i stepped in a fire ant collony and every simce then it has been a million time worse! everytime i see them crawling on the groung i get nervious and jumpy.i don't know what my problem because ants are just so small! does any one know how to get rid f this fear. it is just so terrible and everyone thinks it is sooo funnyto point them out to me!! help!
Posted by Emmy  on  Fri May 21, 2010  at  11:11 AM
I have a fear of stains whether it's stained clothes, sheets or carpet
Posted by Kissy  on  Sun May 23, 2010  at  12:01 AM
i have arachnophobia which is a fear of spiders and i shake, cry and am sick when i see one. I also have a fear of cardboard, the same as James, but worse, i shiver and shake, when i hear it against something and i cant look at it or touch it. Once at school my teacher asked me to carry a piece of cardboard somewhere and i refused and told the teacher why and she phoned home and i got a detention and had to see a phsicologist about it, but then thy realised it was an actual phobia. for both phobias i have tablets from the hopspital.
Posted by Amy  on  Wed May 26, 2010  at  01:39 PM
So I have this fear of touching the bottom of oceans, lakes, seas, rivers, etc. Basically any body of water I can't see well through but even goes so far as to only be knee high and I begin to freak. Anyone with a similar phobia?
Posted by Sky  on  Thu May 27, 2010  at  10:16 PM
O_O whenever i read a scary book im afraid of mirrors. what phobia is that?
Posted by olivia  on  Sun Jun 06, 2010  at  12:22 PM
i have a phobia of wet paper and a phobia of receipts... i always have someone else take it when i go buy something... it's incredibly sad and weird but I just can't handle receipts, gross!
Posted by bee  on  Wed Jun 09, 2010  at  02:30 PM
I'm Absolutely Terrified Of Styrofoam. & For As Long As I've Been Alive, And Afraid Of It,, I Thought I Was The Only One. Even Just Looking At It Makes My Skin Crawl. The Sound Of It Makes Me Shudder & If For Whatever Reason, I Touch It,, My Palms Itch Like Crazy & I Feel Every Single Hair On The Back Of My Neck Stand On End. It's The Weirdest Thing. I Have No Idea Why It's So Freaking Scary To Me,, At All.
Posted by Rita  on  Fri Jun 11, 2010  at  09:46 PM
i have a fear of my palms (especially the pads of my fingers) touching or brushing against anything dry. If i have dry hands and they accidently brush against rough clothing, carpets, paper, paper towels it makes me feel physically sick and sends shivers down my spine. Even the thought of rubbing my fingers on a carpet makes me want to throw up. Does anyone have a name for this or have a similar fear?? help!
Posted by Alexis  on  Sun Jun 13, 2010  at  02:11 PM
To Hydropapryophobe: My boyfriend also has a fear/phobia about wet paper. Not sure where it comes from, but wet paper makes him want to vomit. You are not alone. Wish I could find out more about this bizarre phobia
Posted by Curious  on  Tue Jun 15, 2010  at  08:38 AM
When I get out of the shower and I'm drying my hair, I'm afraid that my cat is going to come claw my dick. What is the name for this?
Posted by John  on  Tue Jun 15, 2010  at  02:44 PM
I Hate PVA
Posted by Jacob  on  Wed Jun 16, 2010  at  05:34 AM
this is hard for me to talk about my eyes are beggining to swell with water because it is oh so hard to think about...i haven't been out of the house in 17 years i am deathly afraid of someone licking me i don't know why it just scares the bejeebers out of me this also causes me to be afraid of any living animal if anyone can help or tell me why i have this problem i would greatly appreciate the help
god bless,
lucy
Posted by Lucille  on  Wed Jun 16, 2010  at  11:56 PM
I HATE BEING NEAR UNDERWEAR> Is that normal??
Posted by liz  on  Mon Jun 28, 2010  at  10:31 AM
i don't know why but i cant touch anything like napkins, paper, wood, and other stuff like that. wen ever i get foon on my hands, i wipe it on the tablecloth or on my clothes. my mom thought it mite be ocd im 13 and i really doubt that its ocd... im so glad imnot the only one my mom and brother think its sooo weird!
Posted by Amanda  on  Wed Jun 30, 2010  at  01:47 PM
omg!i get irritated when people move their toes or touch me with their toes whether or not they r wearing socks or shoes or nothing at all111!! eww i hate it
Posted by ytiug  on  Mon Jul 05, 2010  at  09:04 PM
I can't stand my hands being dry, or touching dry things, like paper.
ugh, i can't stand it, when i was a little bit younger i would always have my fingers in my mouth because i hated my hands being dry, it gives me the chills and i get sick! and i thought i was alone about the whole people looking at my neck thing, like i never wear my hair up because i can't stand people looking at the back of my neck, it kills me!
Posted by katlin  on  Sat Jul 10, 2010  at  07:31 PM
ever since I can remember I've had this weird thing about not being able to touch or rub my hands or feet together. and It's hard for me to touch my skin like put on lotion, or scratch my feet, hands, legs. in school, I was rediculed for it kids were forever rubbing their hands together, and laughing. If someone has this phobia, or knows what it is called let me know, please. I've been dying to find out for ever.
Posted by jane  on  Sat Jul 10, 2010  at  10:43 PM
i am afraid of beards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Scratchy ones, bushy ones, dirty ones and even invisible ones! Help me i'm weeley scared . They are comin 2 get me
Posted by Billy nOmates  on  Mon Jul 12, 2010  at  07:24 AM
I have a weird phobia of scratching things & other people scratching things. Pretty much anything except skin. Like at the dentist when they clean your teeth, oh god! Does anyone know the name for this phobia?
Posted by Lee  on  Sun Jul 18, 2010  at  02:55 PM
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