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.
Categories: Psychology Posted by Alex on Fri Nov 21, 2003 |
Comments (449) |
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I have an intense fear of doorknobs... I actually have to climb in and out of my side window at home. The neighbors have called the police a number of times, yet I've explained my phobia clearly to them. Grocery day really sucks
Posted by steve meters on Sun Oct 18, 2009 at 12:24 PM
I have this fear of my feet touching flat on the ground in bathrooms especially in the shower. I also cant stand for my hands to be wet or touch anything gross and everything has to be in like perfect order everything has to be perfectly organized. Is this like OCD and germaphobia or what I am just so confused and it seems to be getting worse.
Posted by Ariana McCoy on Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 03:21 PM
I'm not really sure this is a phobia.
Its more of an OCD type thing. I count my
syllables when i'm talking. it is the most
peculiar thing. I do it subconsciously now.
i'll just be talking and saying stuff and
counting my syllables and if they don't fit
into an ever number or a number with a five in it i get upset. and have to fit new words into
it to make it even. yeah i'm a freak. 😊
Posted by Emily on Sun Oct 25, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Its more of an OCD type thing. I count my
syllables when i'm talking. it is the most
peculiar thing. I do it subconsciously now.
i'll just be talking and saying stuff and
counting my syllables and if they don't fit
into an ever number or a number with a five in it i get upset. and have to fit new words into
it to make it even. yeah i'm a freak. 😊
I have, I don't know if you'd call it a phobia, but I...cannot stand to TOUCH PAPER, especially after washing my hands or being in the shower. I also cannot touch fabrics, like clothes, or carpet. This extends to my feet as well. I am 21 years old. My mom says I've been like this all my life. I have to put lotion on constantly. I always have a bottle. Always. It's the only solution I've found.
On another note, I seem to have recently developed a phobia of my nails scratching things. Certain surfaces. I used to bite my nails constantly, and now I don't. I work in a lab, and just seeing the countertops (I don't know what material they are) gets me sweating and speeds up my heart rate. Also, smooth metals, like bowls. And ceramics. I can't even think about it. It makes my nails itch to the point of pain. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! And a name so I can put a name to this monster.
Posted by Harmony on Thu Oct 29, 2009 at 10:02 AM
On another note, I seem to have recently developed a phobia of my nails scratching things. Certain surfaces. I used to bite my nails constantly, and now I don't. I work in a lab, and just seeing the countertops (I don't know what material they are) gets me sweating and speeds up my heart rate. Also, smooth metals, like bowls. And ceramics. I can't even think about it. It makes my nails itch to the point of pain. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated! And a name so I can put a name to this monster.
I have a fear of those things that are on paper and if you move them the image changes. Only when I am touching them do I freak out, or if someone else touches them and starts sratching their nails on it and makes a smaller and quieter sound similar to a zipper being zipped. It sends shivers up my back and I can't stand it! Even when I think about it enough it sends shivers up my back. Uhg!!
Posted by Brittney O'Bryan on Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 05:43 PM
does anyone know the name of the phobia of wednesdays? as in the day...?
it's something like "mercred..." idk
thanks =]
Posted by Mayra on Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 10:54 PM
it's something like "mercred..." idk
thanks =]
@Dana - yes I have a HORRIBLE fear of spines, it freaks me out so much. The thought of breaking my back or getting a slipped disk is my worst nightmare!! If anyone touches my back I freak out!! Cant even get massages!!
Posted by neadi on Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 05:06 PM
i also have an intense fear of spines when really skinny people bend over,and of achillles tendons! i always imagine them getting cut or snapping and it just makes my insides squirm with revulsion.
Posted by lara on Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 06:44 PM
i have to say that i am deathly afraid of midgets. if i see one, or someone mendtions them i cry start shaking hyperventalate and i just stand still dont do anything like i forget where i am, just know that one is around. i wish i could calm down and i feel bad, but its something i can't ever get over. i've tried watching willy wonka, didnt work. watched the wizzard of oz, made it worse. everything i try to do doesnt work. im even like that when i visit hospitals.
Posted by brit on Sun Nov 15, 2009 at 09:05 PM
i am 15 and i have a fear of touching paper after i wash my hands it freaks me out touching paper would even make me scream sometimes the other day while i was in school i washed my hands and came back into the classroom to do my work but when i touched the paper i went crazy i was going around the class asking for lotion omg its like i heard the paper and the sound of it was scratching a chalk bored as soon as i touched the paper a sort of shock or something went into my body and was just like aaahhhhhhh.!!! i didnt kno what to do when i was younger i hated paper i couldnt even touch it the only paper i could use was construction paper or that handwriting paper the school gave you(the one with only like 5 lines)i couldnt bare the feeling of touching envelopes it was like if i did i was going to die..i have grew out of that a little but i still cant touch paper after washing my hands does anyone know what that is called??
Posted by asia battles on Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 07:34 PM
hi. I have a phobia of touching my collar bone i dont even like other people touching theirs in front of me also cant stand touching tendons like at the back of your ankle, knees and writs. I also cant put any kind of paper or cardboard on my bare skin it makes me sick. Does anyone know what any of these phobias are called?
Posted by Rhiannon Riley on Fri Nov 20, 2009 at 06:44 AM
I also have a phobia of felt if i ever accidentally touch it it makes me want to peel a layer of skin off my hands.
Posted by Rhiannon Riley on Fri Nov 20, 2009 at 06:48 AM
I CANNOT Touch paper or put on pants without lotion, and I mean alot of lotion! And I CANNOT STAND looking at or touching or looking at people touching their bellybuttons! I cannot touch ANYTHING dry! Chalk,Paper,Pants, ext. ext. And Whenever I get out of the shower, even the air HURTS!! I also have fear of The Ring and The Grudge! My older sister has to turn on the TV for me ! And Whenever she does I have to be on my bed! Also , (I HAVE ALOT OF PHOBIAS) I am afraid of having my nails too short!!! And a fear of Porclean Dolls! And a fear of being FAT/UGLY! Also of Dry Lips. Also of being in LOUD room with people YELLING and SHOUTING , I get A PANICK atack. THEIRS More , but I'm running out space, BUT PROBABLY the BIGGEST 1 is That I'm AFRAID of anything being Odd ( Not EVEN) and Fair! Like if I kick something with one foot , I hve to kick it with the other one 2, and I have A PANICK ATTACK when I have to write an uneven Number!! HELP!
Posted by Shannon Brand on Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 04:28 PM
I have a phobia of PVA glue. The thought of touching it or going near it makes me scream :S
Posted by Kirsten on Thu Nov 26, 2009 at 12:42 PM
In reply to Ian on page 3, the website you sent out didnt actually have my phobia there :/
Posted by Julia on Thu Nov 26, 2009 at 01:15 PM
When i was younger i had a dream where i stuck my hand out the window in the car and my hand got caught on a picker bush.. Ever since then i cannot touch any fabric after i cut my fingernails. I am just looking for the name of the phobia.
Posted by Topher on Mon Dec 07, 2009 at 07:57 PM
yup, i have a fear of kneecaps (genuphobia) AND wet wood, paper or (worst) tissue paper. havent found a name for that one yet...
Posted by lauren on Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 08:09 AM
ok, to the sarah girl in canada and for everyone else... i absolutley 100% afraid of napkins!!! it's not like i'm afraid of them but i juss hate the sound wen some1 uses them or wipes there hands or anything.. my body gets goosbumps ALL over my arms! and lke the thot of some1 getting a napkin and putting it between there teeth and grinding on it!! i HATE it!! when i hear it i yell STOP! or take it away and throw it somewhere as fast as i can!! and i'm tearafied of clowns!!! i hate to look at them or anything!!!! the 1 thing i hate the most about them is there eyes... theyy always look like there looking at you or something and i juss freak out.. i literaly tell a clown like at the mall or something to get away from me!!!! BUT I FREAKIN HATE NAPKINS!!
Posted by kristan on Sun Dec 13, 2009 at 09:02 AM
When some one rips fabric it makes me grind my teeth and I have to get out of the room as fast as I can.
Posted by John on Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 08:19 PM
I have a fear of touching something that was touched by someone who might not have washed their hands! So with all my phobias adn other stuff I do together I think I have OCD!!! But its weird because my grades aren't super HIGH and my room isn't super CLEAN! But I know how you feel Kristan from USA when people do that with their teeth! UGH! Help me people , am I OCD or am I CRAZY ?!
Posted by Shannon Brand on Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 03:36 PM
I can't believe someone else out there is also afraid of lotion! And I'm sorry to all of you who are afraid of little people - but Dr. Loveless wasn't one in Wild Wild West, by the way, Jdsmom. He was in a wheelchair... hope that doesn't turn your phobia upside-down!
Posted by Elk on Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 06:34 PM
I have this awful problem with touching paper towels with wet hands and not being able to rub my fingertips together let alone let someone rub there fingertips on mine, I feel like I can feel every ridge of there fingerprint and the same with the paper towels. I get goosebumps all over and it makes me shiver and then I usually act on instinct and yelp and drop or let go like it's actually hurting me. I have to tell friends because when do you not have wet hands and almost every where has paper towels but the worst is my ex's trying to rub my hand ,they think I'm nuts when I tell them I can feel there fingerprint.LOL!!!!
Posted by Cia Lashelle on Fri Dec 18, 2009 at 01:42 AM
I AM TERRIFIED OF MIDGETS.
KHUZDOPHOBIA ITS CALLED?
I CRY AT THE SITE OF THEM...HAVE PANIC ATTACKS AND THEN USUALLY PASS OUT.
NO IDEA HOW THIS FEAR CAME TO BE BUT I WANT TO BE A NURSE SOMEDAY SO HOWS WILL I TREAT MIDGETS?
nanosophobia
if you watched the wizard of oz as a child, i probably came from that... 😊
Posted by Abbie on Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 01:22 PM
KHUZDOPHOBIA ITS CALLED?
I CRY AT THE SITE OF THEM...HAVE PANIC ATTACKS AND THEN USUALLY PASS OUT.
NO IDEA HOW THIS FEAR CAME TO BE BUT I WANT TO BE A NURSE SOMEDAY SO HOWS WILL I TREAT MIDGETS?
nanosophobia
if you watched the wizard of oz as a child, i probably came from that... 😊
Good to see other people with the midget/dwarf phobia!! It's always been a joke between my mates, i'll have a bit of a laugh when I'm with mates, but they don't know how deep it goes. I'm 24 now but from a kid i couldn't watch charlie and the chocolate factory. I can't "do" oompa loompas! It makes me cringe just writing it! Dwarfs in person freak me out but i can handle it and not be to obvious though.
Posted by lath on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:26 PM
I have the fear of people touching my feet! I cry! Also I have the fear of stuffed animals staring at me at night, also the fear of windows. I can't look out them or i freak! also the fear cleaning supplies
Posted by judi on Thu Dec 31, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Does anybody know what a fear of people touching your head is called? I won't lett anyone touch my head and i can't go to the hairdressers or anything like that. yesterday my grandma was showing us this thing u put on your head that's supposed to relax you. when she put it on my head, I screamed SO loud. you wouldn't believe
Posted by Leah on Sat Jan 02, 2010 at 02:57 PM
I have come across a couple of people who are afraid of being
alone. What do you call that kind of phobia?
eve
Posted by Eve Falcon-Korems on Mon Jan 04, 2010 at 09:12 AM
alone. What do you call that kind of phobia?
eve
I have a fear of two things; waterproof material and dry hands. My dad constantly rubs his hands together and I get goosebumps and shiver. With the waterproof material it's the same and it aggrivates me when I touch it and when I hear it.
Posted by Georgina on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 03:58 PM
I blink too much. It started like a week ago. I kinda noticed but it wasn't a big deal. It's just gotten worse. Now I blink too hard, blink so much and double blink a lot. It's wierd an I feel like I don't actually open my eyes. If I concentrate on this it kind of works but not always. What's it called I'm trying to find a natural cure.
Posted by Mellisa Brown on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 05:59 PM
Well I used to have the same thing with blinking but I noticed I only blinked even or common numbers like 2,5,10, etc...so I just focused myself on the odder numbers like (i know it's not odd but it's hardly used lol) 4,6,7,11, etc...so maybe the next time you blink so much count how many times and if it's even then focus on odd numbers. I hope this helps a bit! 😊
Posted by Brittney on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 08:42 PM
{stupid336x280}
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