Strange phobias?

[FionaH]

Friend of mine has a fear of buttons. She doesn't even like saying the word and wont hug her husband if he is wearing a shirt

[kernowyon]

cotton wool.

hate it, especially the way it 'squeaks' when torn apart, have had loads of haematomas because i can't have the little ball of cotton wool touching me when I have had blood taken. now have goosebumps so will stop.

[piskieinboots]

ah ha - mine has now come out and I am the same as the person who doesn't even like saying the word and have no idea why or where it comes from
*shudders

[FionaH]

Flipping heck Pisk, dress uniform must be a nightmare for you!

[WeeGarden]

Legless things

Snakes especially, can't even look at a photo, and I even get palpitations at having to walk under the huge net of cuddly snakes at Ikea.

Worms and slugs, I'm trying to get over my fear. Not much good in the garden otherwise. I have to mentally prepare myself that if I turned over a pot there'd be a good chance of there being a slug. If I didn't, and one took me by surprise, I run into the house sobbing.

*shudders at the thought*

[piskieinboots]

Fi - I don't iron shirts and it's only certain types and situations
*shudders again

[annacruachan]

Deep water, especially with rocks in it: I'm married to a sailor, so that doesn't go down too well. Being in it is terrifying and even being on it has me in a panic if the boat heels, as boats tend to do when piloted by sailing enthusiasts!

The dark is another; I have to have a nightlight and don't go out in the dark by myself ever. I used to sleepwalk as a child and wonder if waking up in an unexpected dark place was the cause of this.

Claustrophobia is manageable up to a point, but hands round my neck is not!

Crowds and loud, persistent noise I find difficult now, but I think that's more an age thing than a real phobia.

[Headfry]

Matthew2riches .....deep pits half filled with water- no way out those too. I thought I was alone with my silly fears! I am not - thank you!

[janeyo]

I remembered my other one last night - Staircases!
In particular, winding stone ones. I have a mini panic attack if I get half way up an can't see the top or the bottom. And open tred stairs. I once had another panic attack on half way up the Eiffel Tower as my then boyfriend made me walk up the steps instead of taking the lift and I TOLD what would happen to me lol.
I must point out these are the only times I get panic attacks! In castles or on the Eiffel Tower so nothing to worry about

At school we had windyuppy stone steps to the art dept and I hated having to queue on the stairs as everyone pushed and shoved and I was terrified I would fall down them. And also at school the steps to the dinnner hall had open tred backs and again we had to queue and it was so scary!

All other staircases are fine

*off to sign in at loony bin methinks

[piskieinboots]

we're all barking I tell you

[janeyo]

If I get to have a nice rest... where do I sign?

[Jax]

My husband has agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house) and fear of the dark, fear of being on his own. He has panic disorder and so fear manifests itself in many ways, he once became afraid of hills and main roads, hills is sorted and he feels better about main roads but that could be because he doesnt leave the house.

[janeyo]

My husband has agoraphobia (fear of leaving the house) and fear of the dark, fear of being on his own. He has panic disorder and so fear manifests itself in many ways, he once became afraid of hills and main roads, hills is sorted and he feels better about main roads but that could be because he doesnt leave the house.

That sounds very hard for you to live with and must be awful for him. Is he getting any specialist help for this?

[Jax]

no, he had a therapist that used to see him but they was only allowed to give 8 hours worth of help. I have kind of taken over where she began and try to make sure he goes out bit by bit everyday. The thing I always say though is I have a fab life and in general we are very happy we just have this one area that needs fixing

[Polly Fouracre]

Another , not exactly a phobia, is spiked railings, I'll cross the road to avoid them.