Do you have any unfounded fears?

[PilsnPinkysMom]

The thread about judging people got me thinking....

Do you have any unfounded fears? Something related to a person, an event, a place?

I have a (somewhat) unfounded fear of being attacked/mugged by a strange man. I'm a younger female, I live in a larger city, and I'm usually wearing nice jewelry and carrying a handbag. I'd be an easy target, but the chances of becoming a victim aren't that great... Yet i'm completely paranoid, sometimes frozen by this fear!

For example: Today I went on a run with my dog. I passed four men on the route, each different races/ethnicities, walking along the bike path. With each man I saw, my heart started to beat out of my chest. It was particularly bad when I passed two men walking together. If I was alone (without my dog) I probably would have bolted in the opposite direction. They did not act in threatening ways and some were friendly- it didn't matter. I was petrified. Women do not have the same affect on me.

I also am horribly scared of SPIDERS

So- what are you afraid of?

 

[Lauren8211]

I'm terrified of rape, small spaces, being held down, airplanes, spiders, Ferris Wheels, and clowns.

 

[LGK]

Craneflies. Their icky little legs are going to get caught in my hair, come off, and then keep wiggling after being de-legified.

Earthquakes. I seriously have a phobia. We had a pretty big earthquake in 2001 and I was painting with my FIL when it happened. I swear I pounced on him and cowered in his arms whimpering til it was over. Quite embarrassing! DH & I lost thousands and thousands of dollars of irreplaceable art glass in that earthquake, our house was about knee deep in broken stuff. Ever since then I freak out every time a giant truck shakes the building or whatnot.

 

[Nashville]

Going to jail.

Why I worry about this, I don't know but I have ever since childhood. If I so much as see a cop while driving I start shaking and my body goes cold. It's actually kind of a crappy fear to have, since my husband swears it's spiraling into paranoia!

I have an extreme fear of a bug crawling into my ear. I can't go to sleep unless I check the pillow for bugs.

 

[junebug17]

Lately I have this weird fear of getting into an accident while driving as a passenger, but I'm ok if I'm the one driving. I don't know, maybe it stems from not being in control? the other day my husband was driving and he crossed several lanes of traffic while at a toll booth, and I blurted out "don't get into an accident!". My son piped up from the back seat "really good advice mom". we laughed about it, but lately I get so nervous driving with someone else.

 

[JSM]

I have an entirely irrational fear of dying in space due to no atmosphere.

... you did say unfounded, right?

Actually, my mom is a huge space buff and would take my brother and I to the planetarium when we were kids. I figure this is where it started!

I also fear spiders, but DH won't kill them as he says spiders are his friends (they keep away other bugs). If one is freaking me out, he will pick it up and take it outside. I make him wash his hands afterwards!

 

[Arkteia]

Earthquakes. We live in a seismogenic zone.
Most of my fears are reasonable, but I am very much afraid of heights. Falling off a balcony, falling off a cliff... even off an overpass in a mall. I never drive to eastern part of our state through the mountains because I am afraid that I may fall off the road.

 

[Burberrygirl]

I'm a scaredy cat, I worry about/am afraid of a lot of things. I don't like heights and I worry about bad things happening like being attacked or getting into an accident. I'm a worrier...

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

Craneflies. Their icky little legs are going to get caught in my hair, come off, and then keep wiggling after being de-legified.

....Off to Google! Eck! My family calls those Canadian Soldiers (though I know there's another type of 'Canadian Soldier' bug, too)

That's not unfounded! It could definitely happen!

 

[packrat]

I'm scared of a lot of things (spiders, clowns, heights, vomiting) but let's see, unfounded..serial killers? When the whole BTK thing happened I had a hard time sleeping for a loooong time. When I hear that someone escaped from a prison or the police are looking for someone armed and dangerous or whatever-even if it's in say, Oregon, I get a chill b/c if *I* were a psychotic murderer I'd look for a little town in the middle of nowhere where people don't always keep up on the news and are more naive and complacent.

I have a fear (and love) of sharks and for years couldn't close my eyes in the shower when I washed my hair b/c all I could see was a great white breaching and attacking me. I always had to remove mom's dark blue bath mat b/c it looked too much like the ocean and I couldn't stand on it in the shower. I would read shark books and had to have the pages and cover situated so that my hand was never actually on a picture of a shark. I love to swim, but can't swim alone, can't be in the deep end by myself even if there are 10 other people in the shallow end, can't tread water unless my mind is occupied b/c I think of Chrissie in the opening sequence of Jaws. I also worry that I will for some weird reason enter a fugue state and wake up in the middle of the ocean with no recollection of how I got there and there will be a GW coming to attack me.

I'm weird and I have issues.

 

[Imdanny]

Does being afraid of asteroids hitting the earth and wiping out life count?

 

[redfaerythinker]

I am terrified of all people. I don't go out in public by myself because I am obsessed with what I think, other people, are thinking about me. I know they don't care, but that doesn't stop the panic feeling. It's so bad, that I start to panic whenever I see someone that I know. Even my own mother makes me really nervous for about the first ten minutes and she's awesome. I'm basically a hermit.

 

[Callisto]

I am super logical and rational about almost all of my fears. For example, I do not like bugs, but I am able to recognize that I am not scared of them, they just tend to startle me. (I am an overly logical person though, so if you knew me this would make total sense to you.) HOWEVER, I am terrified of being alone at night or in the dark. I have never been attacked or anything, but I freak out. And it's not like I'm scared a burgler is going to break into the house or anything, I'm scared that something is going to grab my feet when I walk past the bed, or appear in a dark window.... so I don't even know what to say I'm scared of... ghosts? Monsters? I feel like an idiot even typing this out but it really affects me on a daily basis. When I was younger I was always afraid something was going to grab my ankles as I was walking up from our basement so I would always run up the stairs. I don't really watch horror movies, but it seems the few I have watched over the years have had quite the affect on me.

 

[dragonfly411]

Ferris Wheels

The police/jail - Actually, this would be getting in trouble period. I have always had a fear of being in trouble, and avoid doing anything to get in trouble at all costs. At least, that was so until I met SO and we ran from them on a four wheeler once . But even as a child, I was never spanked. I was only grounded once for failing math. All my mom had to do was say "ONE...." and I was running.

Clowns

Being Alone. This is one I really need to overcome. It's gotten worse recently, to the point that I have mini panic attacks. Part of what my new venture into self help books will be for.

This is horrible. I am scared of my favorite animals. I am constantly worried that one of the horses is going to kick me. This has been a completely unfounded fear since I was a little girl. It was very bad when I was young. I loved horses immensely...from a distance. When I was in 4-h I was the ribbon girl, because I was too scared to ride. I would hand ribbons out, but would only approach within arms' length of the rider (as in...her reaching and me reaching). Horse camp is how I got over the not approaching horses part, but I still think about it every time I'm around them. I know that none of ours would lash out and kick at me, they certainly know better, and none of them are mean/malicious in any way. I do worry about the barrel horse because he gets excited and will come barreling out of his stall full speed, and kick and squeal and jump around if allowed. We tend to let ours in and out without halters because the shed row opens right into the pasture, and the barrel horse does have a problem with having his head messed with (unless you are my sister, then you can do whatever you want).

Anyways that was long winded.

 

[PilsnPinkysMom]

I am terrified of all people. I don't go out in public by myself because I am obsessed with what I think, other people, are thinking about me. I know they don't care, but that doesn't stop the panic feeling. It's so bad, that I start to panic whenever I see someone that I know. Even my own mother makes me really nervous for about the first ten minutes and she's awesome. I'm basically a hermit.

Aw, Red Have you ever talked with anyone about social anxiety disorder? Sometimes a little bit of behavioral therapy can go a long way in reducing anxiety. FWIW: I'm glad you enjoy PS people, even if our interactions are via the internet, as I (and many others, I'm sure!) love reading your posts!

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Birds. Absolutely mortified of birds. Thinking about them made me shudder and a bit queasy. I have a fear that when I'm driving a bird, any bird, will close its wings into its body, aim for my face and crash through my windshield. Quintessentially a bird dart. I also think they're incredibly dirty creatures. Every bird is teaming with nasty mites that want to invade my hair and ears.

Large groups of birds, black birds, swallows, seagulls, any large group, absolutely terrifies me. I will go out of my way to avoid coming in contact with a bird or even near a bird for that matter.

I think every swan, goose, turkey and similarly large bird is gunning to kill me with their large nasty feet and wings. Medium birds are there to peck me to death starting with my eyes. Small birds are natures torpedoes.

Diving into a pool head first. Just can't do it. I can jump into a pool, just can't dive head first. I'd rather belly flop than dive head first. I physically cannot force myself to do it.

 

[Autumnovember]

I am reaaaallly afraid of the dark.

I also have to check the back seat of my car each time before I get in it when its night time.

I also run to my door if it's dark out in fear of someone possibly popping out of the dark somewhere to attack me.

I have an irrational fear that a murder is going to come and kill me in the middle of night.

Also, if I ever see anything even remotely close to a ghost (I believe in them)...it is a guarantee I'll be institutionalized after.


I'm a huge weirdo

 

[elrohwen]

I'm afraid of swimming in the ocean. I don't like that you can't really see what's going on below you if your head is above water so something could randomly touch me that I'm not prepared for. I'm better when I'm actually looking under water and can see around me, but I'm not a fan of breathing through a snorkel, so I usually just hold my breath as long as I can then come up for air. I don't like the waves either - it's a lot more rough than lakes and even though I'm a good swimmer, I get nervous that I might have a hard time making it back to the boat.

I'm also terrified of jellyfish. I don't remember being stung as a kid, just being afraid of them, but my mom says I was stung once. You know how some people are terrified of bees and get anxious when there are bees around, even though most people know they're mostly harmless? Well, that's how I am about jellyfish. I'll get in the water, but one sighting and I'm out. I'm fine with lakes, because there are pretty much only fish - no weird crabs or jellyfish. Oddly, I'm not afraid of sharks (well, assuming they're small and not 6ft long or something) and have petted one while snorkeling with no hesitation. I guess I feel that sharks are intelligent and unlikely to attack without provocation, especially a very small shark, but jellyfish just float around and sting without knowing what they're doing.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I am a very fear based person. I have many irrational fears of physical violence. I also have other issues that cause anxiety but I am pretty good at keeping reality and my fears separate. When I recognize my distorted or irrational fears, I believe it alleviates their power to control my mind and actions.

 

[Autumnovember]

I'm afraid of swimming in the ocean. I don't like that you can't really see what's going on below you if your head is above water so something could randomly touch me that I'm not prepared for. I'm better when I'm actually looking under water and can see around me, but I'm not a fan of breathing through a snorkel, so I usually just hold my breath as long as I can then come up for air. I don't like the waves either - it's a lot more rough than lakes and even though I'm a good swimmer, I get nervous that I might have a hard time making it back to the boat.

I'm also terrified of jellyfish. I don't remember being stung as a kid, just being afraid of them, but my mom says I was stung once. You know how some people are terrified of bees and get anxious when there are bees around, even though most people know they're mostly harmless? Well, that's how I am about jellyfish. I'll get in the water, but one sighting and I'm out. I'm fine with lakes, because there are pretty much only fish - no weird crabs or jellyfish. Oddly, I'm not afraid of sharks (well, assuming they're small and not 6ft long or something) and have petted one while snorkeling with no hesitation. I guess I feel that sharks are intelligent and unlikely to attack without provocation, especially a very small shark, but jellyfish just float around and sting without knowing what they're doing.

Elro---I have the same fear with jelly fish but I actually won't get into the water at all unless its the caribbean...(I sound snobby, haha) but the jersey shore has way too many jelly fish and I won't risk getting stung.

 

[elrohwen]

AutumnNovember, I've mostly only been in the ocean in the Caribbean as well. I'm not really a beach vacation person in general (sitting in the sun does not agree with my pale skin) so I haven't been to many ocean locations in the first place. Though I'm ok with going into the water right off of shore in most cases because jellyfish and things don't live in the surf - I have more anxiety jumping off a boat into the water or going in too deep where things are living.

I'm much more of a lake vacation girl!

 

[lyra]

I have some fears, but "unfounded" fears, not many. I fear driving over bridges that are over water. My fear is that I'll go off the bridge and into the water. Being trapped in a car underwater has been a lifelong fear pretty much.

 

[kenny]

I have an irrational fear of the bottom of ships and boats and especially the propellors and those radar domes on the bow of large ships.

I used to scuba dive.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Clowns
Windchimes

I also have a really deep fear that someone will attack me and throw me into the truck of a car where I will either suffocate Or die in a car fire.

I'm STILL afraid of Richard Romero, the Night Stalker.

 

[Dancing Fire]

aren't you ladies afraid of me?

 

[kenny]

How would I know if I had unfounded fears since I have not found them yet?

 

[Autumnovember]

aren't you ladies afraid of me?

Nope, I kinda like your interesting train of thoughts. Since we established I'm weirdo already, for some reason I have made up in my mind what you look like and I'm curious if I'm close to being right.

 

[oddoneout]

I have a somewhat fear of heights and closed in spaces. I think the irrational one is clowns....I'm not about to have a total freak out about them I just find them disturbing.

 

[starryeyed]

I am super logical and rational about almost all of my fears. For example, I do not like bugs, but I am able to recognize that I am not scared of them, they just tend to startle me. (I am an overly logical person though, so if you knew me this would make total sense to you.) HOWEVER, I am terrified of being alone at night or in the dark. I have never been attacked or anything, but I freak out. And it's not like I'm scared a burgler is going to break into the house or anything, I'm scared that something is going to grab my feet when I walk past the bed, or appear in a dark window.... so I don't even know what to say I'm scared of... ghosts? Monsters? I feel like an idiot even typing this out but it really affects me on a daily basis. When I was younger I was always afraid something was going to grab my ankles as I was walking up from our basement so I would always run up the stairs. I don't really watch horror movies, but it seems the few I have watched over the years have had quite the affect on me.

Callisto - this is ME TOO! Crazy, right? I'm even afraid that something is lurking in the toilet at night that is going to bite me or climb up me, so I have to turn the light on and make sure there's nothing in the toilet before I sit down. Talk about irrational!

 

[zoebartlett]

I'm surprised at how many people are afraid of clowns. Were clowns featured in a horror movie a while back or something?

Some of these aren't irrational but here's my list of fears anyway:

* Entering a dark house. I'm always afraid someone's there. I practically lunge for the light before stepping inside.
* Wasps and hornets (I don't really know the difference, but it doesn't matter. Both scare me.)
* Certain bridges. There's an elevated bridge near where we used to live, and as you drive over it, you can't see anything below. All you see is the sky and it used to freak me out.
* Blood and people throwing up (thanks for the reminder, Packrat!). I don't handle these things well at all. At all. I get weak and feel as if I'll get sick too. Heaven help me the day a kid throws up in my classroom. I'll bolt.