The one I have is, well, embarrassing, but I can assure you all that it is an intense phobia, one so powerful that I have had recurring nightmares about it that have put me in tears and have made me curl up into the fetal position and shake uncontrollably for hours on end. I can safely say that I fear death far less than this particular phobia (so, my phobia obviously isn't death).
Can I beat this thing back? Is there a treatment I could undergo to destroy this phobia of mine, like hypnosis, or brainwashing perhaps?
I can include that fear constitutes about 70% of my aversion to something (a.k.a. my phobia), but the other 30% is pure disgust, embarrassment, and shame because of my strict morals and values. So if I got rid of my fear the problem would still linger on.
Hello
Sorry to hear that you have such troubles, I have a friend who suffers terrible panic attacks due to a phobia so I understand, to a degree, how terrible having phobia can be. My first suggestion would be to see someone who can assess your problem, perhaps you can confide in someone you trust who could help you find a specialist. Although there are many people, I'm sure, who have been cured by hypnosis or similar, I personally wouldn't put my faith in it. This is just a personal opinion, if that seems like a good idea to you then by all means look into it, and if anybody else reads this post and has a different opinion then please don't just write an angry reply, remember everyone is allowed to their own opinions.
You said that your phobia causes you to have an aversion to a particular thing, is it an everyday thing that you encounter often? Is it something that you can easily avoid or do you have to deal with it daily? Does it make you avoid certain situations or going to certain places for fear of encountering it? All of these things will have an impact on the way your phobia can be treated, or how you could learn to deal with it.
I was told once that some people with phobias don't fear (as much) the thing that their phobia is about, but rather what might happen if they encounter the thing of their phobia, ie having a panic attack, passing out, fits of hysteria, etc. Is this true in your case?
Please don't think that I am prying, I am simply interested in helping you if I can, and the only way to do that is if I learn more about your situation.
-bear
Hello
Sorry to hear that you have such troubles, I have a friend who suffers terrible panic attacks due to a phobia so I understand, to a degree, how terrible having phobia can be. My first suggestion would be to see someone who can assess your problem, perhaps you can confide in someone you trust who could help you find a specialist. Although there are many people, I'm sure, who have been cured by hypnosis or similar, I personally wouldn't put my faith in it. This is just a personal opinion, if that seems like a good idea to you then by all means look into it, and if anybody else reads this post and has a different opinion then please don't just write an angry reply, remember everyone is allowed to their own opinions.
You said that your phobia causes you to have an aversion to a particular thing, is it an everyday thing that you encounter often? Is it something that you can easily avoid or do you have to deal with it daily? Does it make you avoid certain situations or going to certain places for fear of encountering it? All of these things will have an impact on the way your phobia can be treated, or how you could learn to deal with it.
I was told once that some people with phobias don't fear (as much) the thing that their phobia is about, but rather what might happen if they encounter the thing of their phobia, ie having a panic attack, passing out, fits of hysteria, etc. Is this true in your case?
Please don't think that I am prying, I am simply interested in helping you if I can, and the only way to do that is if I learn more about your situation.
-bear
No, my phobia isn't something I encounter often or daily. In fact I have yet to actually encounter it. But it's the thought of it and what can and/or will happen if I do encounter it. But I do have a fear of the consequences of trying to face my phobia head-on...I fear I could suffer negative life-changing consequences, or that I might be so shaken to the core from the experience that I will never be the same person again. You see, my phobia I think will change me for the worst if I try to face it. I fear I'll start having panic attacks just from thinking about it (I do now - I start crying when I think about it too intensely).
But please, don't be afraid to pry. I'm willing to discuss my troubles if it means I can be offered assistance in any way. While I won't yet come out and SAY what my phobia is, I can say this much of it - my fear is of something that practically no one has a fear of; in fact, most people look forward to or enjoy what I fear worse than anything else in this world. My fear could also mar my future with the one I love. I think you guys get the idea now about what it is....
I'll also include this...I have openly admitted to myself that I have such a phobia - I won't ignore the fact that I'm tremendously afraid of something so stupid.
Any further help would be greatly appreciated. And thank you, Milobear, for your input and for listening to a kooky teenager's troubles. ^-^
Dark Stranger - wonders if phobias are untreatable
I guess in someways what I am dealing with could be classed as a phobia, only it's different in some ways. It's hard to explain but it's over a person. I have to encounter this person fairly frequently although now I'm not but it's still haunting me and I'm still anxious most of the time. Anyway this is irrelevent. I just thought I'd say that in some ways I can relate.
I'm sorry to hear you have such a phobia; you won't be alone in it. I'm sure a lot of people have similar or the same phobias; like you they probably are just as embarrased and confused. I'd advise you try to speak to a therapist via your doctor maybe.
If you find it hard to do this and openly admit to it, which is understandable, try to bear in mind that you're not alone and that your doctor will have seen similar cases. A therapist most certainly will have and will be experianced in helping people to overcome these phobias. You WILL get over it. Phobias are treatable and many people overcome them and live their lives perfectly.
Don't keep suffering in silence; get help. I wish you all the best,
Hi Dark Stranger and why_did_you
Glad to hear both your replies (well not glad about the topic, glad that you replied, you know what I mean ), and I really am interested in trying to help both of you, if you'd like it. Even if you would just like to talk I'd be glad to. I just wanted to let you both know that I'm not going to be able to access a computer for the next two days (approx.), so please don't think I'm ignoring you or anything.
Hope to talk to you soon
-bear
It's hard to explain but it's over a person. I have to encounter this person fairly frequently although now I'm not but it's still haunting me and I'm still anxious most of the time. Anyway this is irrelevent. I just thought I'd say that in some ways I can relate. 
), and I really am interested in trying to help both of you, if you'd like it. Even if you would just like to talk I'd be glad to. I just wanted to let you both know that I'm not going to be able to access a computer for the next two days (approx.), so please don't think I'm ignoring you or anything.
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