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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I know IABU, phobia related

11 replies

Shiveringwreck · 16/11/2014 17:05

I have a phobia of bears. Had horrifying nightmare last night and now can't shake this uneasiness all day. I live 2 miles away from a zoo, and I don't even know if there are bears there, but I am having to be very stern with myself and not allow my mind to go down a path of what if they get out...

I realise I sound barking mad Blush but it is really horrible and intense. Curled up in bed for safety, and well, posting here to get it off my chest.

Have you any phobias that you know logically are extremely unlikely to ever threaten you?

Do you ever have days like mine about them?

OP posts:
OwlinaTree · 16/11/2014 17:10

I really don't want to go to Australia because of the poisonous spiders. It doesn't matter how many times people say they are rare etc etc. The more I think about going there (sil and her dh live there), the more uncomfortable I feel.

That's similar to you I guess?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 16/11/2014 17:10

I honestly think if you aren't having therapy already you should look into getting some help. It's really extreme to go to bed to hide from bears in a zoo miles away. I had a bad phobia of butterflies but actually cured myself after watching the Speakmans on itv (seriously!) Hope you're ok Flowers

GerrardWinstanley · 16/11/2014 17:11

YANBU. You are being irrational but you already know that. Phobias are horrible debilitating things. Don't beat yourself up for being scared. Then you're scared and miserable.

Have you had any therapy for you phobia? CBT or something?

Crinkle77 · 16/11/2014 17:14

Spiders for me too. I know they can't hurt me but I hate them. There was a massive one in my room a couple of months back and made my boyfriend pull everything out to find it. He couldn't and I wouldn't sleep in there for 2 nights. Totally ridiculous but I couldn't help it.

Original poster
Shiveringwreck · 16/11/2014 17:19

Thanks guys. Sorry for those of you that can relate, it is horrible.

I'm having counselling already but not for my bear issue specifically Grin it's for anxiety in general. I don't think I need cbt for the bear thing because it's not like the taking to my bed bit happens every day or even every month, it's purely the result of the nightmare. Which I've had one other time this year so not too bad. I'm just surprised at how much it floors me when it does happen, if you see what I mean.

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 16/11/2014 17:22

Anxiety is exhausting!

raltheraffe · 16/11/2014 17:28

A phobia by its very definition is an irrational fear.

Whether its bears, spiders, snakes or aeroplane journeys the chance that they will really harm us is not proportionate to the level of fear experienced.

You have a disorder which you did not ask to have or cause personally, so you are no more unreasonable than anyone with an illness. It is not your fault you have this phobia so no it is not unreasonable at all.

JackShit · 16/11/2014 17:50

I have a balloon phobia and a 4 year old who has been to lots of kiddies parties lately.

It's been hell Sad

marmitemonkey · 16/11/2014 18:08

Massive phobia of the dentist here. Decided to tackle it this year as i've got to the point where I was avoiding travelling down certain roads as I knew there was a dental surgery there. There is nothing more embarrasing and life consuming than a severe phobia. You literally have no control of your body and its reactions.

7 months down the line with some very good cbt I am now visiting the dentist (haven't had a check up yet as working with issues of opening mouth and getting on chair). Its been bloody hard work and lots of steps backwards but I can say my general anxiety level in life has also decreased so its worth going through the pain to sort it out.

MmeGuillotine · 16/11/2014 18:48

I have a phobia of sharks and have days like that too, which are usually triggered by horrible dreams as well. Also, if someone posts a picture of a shark to my Facebook or Twitter timelines (which happens quite frequently), it can make me feel really uneasy and upset for hours too. If I'm holding my phone when I see it, then I can't touch it again for ages as it's like the shark is living inside it. My husband thinks I'm barking. Blush

I suffer from severe anxiety too and it's definitely much worse when I'm feeling especially out of control and anxious. It's really not pleasant but you aren't on your own OP. :)

upduffedsecret · 17/11/2014 09:56

moths and butterflies. I hate them. I'm having to force myself not to run in a blind panic from the room when one gets in (so my kids don't think they are something to be scared of)... my partner removes them for me

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