To think that the term phobia is over used?

[DesolateWaist]

People seem to use the word phobia to mean anything that makes them feel slightly uncomfortable.
AIBU to find it disrespectful to people who have a genuine phobia?

It's like when people say they are a 'bit OCD' because they like things neat. Or say they are depressed when they mean a bit sad.

There should be a new word meaning 'this makes me feel uncomfortable but not so much that I'm on the verge of a panic attack'.

[LikeDylanInTheMovies]

And I guess you are the arbiter of what constitutes a genuine phobia and what isn't?

[WorraLiberty]

I agree it's over used but I don't think it's disrespectful.

I just think people need to think more about what they're actually saying.

[TheNaze73]

YANBU. Everything has a bloody label these days. OCD, The one where somebody is overly loved up that I read about the other day....Give me a break! Totally with you OP

[PurpleDaisies]

It's like when people say they are a 'bit OCD' because they like things neat.

I hate this. I bet no one that has a friend with OCD uses this.

[WorraLiberty]

Actually in the last couple of weeks, I've seen people in FB groups saying they got 'all autistic' about something, when they mean 'obsessed'.

Doesn't even make sense really

[DesolateWaist]

And I guess you are the arbiter of what constitutes a genuine phobia and what isn't?

I'm not, no. But proper psychologists are.
And 'ooooh I really hate clowns/ birds/ small holes me, I'm dead phobic of them' is not the same as being actually phobic.

[ShatnersBassoon]

A phobia doesn't have to be an extreme fear. It can just be an irrational aversion to something.

[FedupofbeingtoldIcantusemyname]

Totally agree OP, in fact I remember reading an almost identical thread on here a while back.

I don't find it disrespectful but it does massively diminish the affect genuine phobias have on those who suffer from them, as with OCD too. Phobias are supposed to be an irrational fear, not a moderate dislike.

[BayLeaves]

YANBU. Most common one I notice is "I've got a phobia of clowns!" No, in most cases don't have a phobia of clowns, you just find them a bit creepy, like the majority of the population does, due to the uncanny valley effect, a totally natural human response to something which looks human but isn't quite right.

[Nataleejah]

'Homophobia' comes to mind. You don't have to be actively hateful, just not quite comfortable with certain aspects of popular culture -- and so you're -phobic.

[Nerdygalwithabook]

YANBU. I Agree with you. I also suffered from crippling OCD and when people say 'I'm sooooo OCD because I HAVE to wash my face before I brush my teeth' or something. It just annoys me. And when people say they have a phobia of something when they are just scared ...... I have a phobia that has added up created more fears and phobias and rendered me housebound. Being slightly worried about something is not at all like a phobia. Phobias can ruin lives.

[QuimReaper]

Nata there's a Morgan Freeman quote along those lines. "You're not scared, you're just a dick" or something.

[FireTruckOhFireTruck]

YANBU. Being a bit scared of something doesn't equal a phobia.

[ZedWoman]

It's not as overused as '-gate' as in scandalofsomesortgate.

[Pythonesque]

The OCD thing is slightly complicated by the fact that it is legitimate to talk about obsessive-compulsive traits, which are compatible with an entirely healthy mental state, and separate from the significantly disabling obsessive-compulsive disorder.

[for example, I've heard it acknowledged that slight "ocd" tendencies - ie trait - can be a positive thing for someone working in the medical profession]

[borntohula]

'it's so claustrophobic in here.' wtf ?

[MariaSklodowska]

" I just wish there was a better word to sum up those people who have an issue with trans people. "

how about 'Trans-ist'?

[HumbleCrumble]

YANBU. It annoys me most when people use it about food, e.g. "oh yuck, I couldn't eat that, I've got a phobia of tomatoes". No you don't, you just don't like them.

Don't even get me started on homophobia, transphobia etc. "You're not scared, you're just a dick" is absolutely spot on.

[Applejack29]

YANBU

I have a full on phobia of birds (ornithaphobia) I am terrified. But when I mention this people tend to think I'm just a bit nervous around them etc as the word 'phobia' is used so often. I can't even look at the evil bastards birds on the tv

[badtime]

Pythonesque : [for example, I've heard it acknowledged that slight "ocd" tendencies - ie trait - can be a positive thing for someone working in the medical profession]

Well, then it's not OCD - it may be OC, but if it is not the disorder, it isn't D.
And either way, it is grammatically impossible to be 'a bit OCD'.

[MrsJayy]

Every other mumsnetter is phobic of holes its strange