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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what your phobias are?

215 replies

squishymamma · 31/03/2022 21:36

I have emetophobia - it's the irrational fear of vomit. It's not so severe as others have it, but it means that I get mild panic attacks when others throw up, and even worse when people feel nauseous and might be sick (it's the anticipation that's the worst). As you can imagine with 2 young DC in the middle of tummy bug season I'm quite the nervous wreck atm! Luckily DH takes our DC when they're ill...

My family know about this as I've had it ever since being really young, but I was talking to DM the other day and she mentioned she had a phobia of bees and wasps. I was amazed I didn't know that already, and it got me thinking that maybe more people have phobias than I realise.

So does anyone out there have a phobia they want to share? As serious or as lighthearted as you want (this thread is one of my ways of coping!)

PS yes, I am seeking therapy, no, it's not the same as not liking it when people throw up, and no, it's not different when it's your own DC. Sadly. (all common responses I get when I tell people about this...)

OP posts:
ivfbabymomma1 · 31/03/2022 22:24

@HalloHello I also have a fear of prison!!!!! Whilst also having a weird fascination with it! I also don't commit crimes ever 😂

caecilius1 · 31/03/2022 22:25

Rats

caecilius1 · 31/03/2022 22:26

Mice

MabelMoo23 · 31/03/2022 22:26

Dentists
Wasps
Frogs / Toads
Wet strands of hair in sinks - makes me feel sick. Can cope if my daughters hair, but only just. In public toilets I just want to be sick when I see it

SpaceJamtart · 31/03/2022 22:33

Not a phobia but a revulsion of
the 'sweat' or condensation maybe that hot toast makes on a surface.
I have to let my toast cool down inside the toaster to avoid it.

Treaclepie19 · 31/03/2022 22:35

Same as you. Stomach bug season is freaking me out.

I also have trypophobia. A fear of heights. Panic attacks on big open roads.
I'm a barrel of laughs.

SisterRuth · 31/03/2022 22:38

Spiders. I used to not even be able to say that word. And I'd run from the little leafy thing at the top of a tomato. I'm better than I used to be, not thru therapy just age I think, and I can accept little ones & garden ones but big black ones or those T**s if they suddenly appear on TV or a film - I could be in the Olympic 100m running from a big spider team, no problem.

DrZhivago · 31/03/2022 22:40

Frogs, slugs, snails & yoghurt

foxlover47 · 31/03/2022 22:43

Snot ... it literally makes me gag!
Can deal with sick , blood , poop , anything but runny noses , snot and phlegm make me 🤢🤢

BoodleBug51 · 31/03/2022 22:43

If I ever have nightmares, they invariably involve helicopters.
I'm absolutely terrified of them. It's completely irrational as I can stand near one, it's them flying over me that freaks me out.

We live rurally and some fucker in the village has learned to pilot one so it's often buzzing around and really low. I don't enjoy hedge surfing but often participate in it Hmm

hangrylady · 31/03/2022 22:44

Scarecrows, I fucking hate them
Slugs make me feel physically sick

Original poster
squishymamma · 31/03/2022 22:47

Wow, there are a lot of us with phobias, and many with very similar ones - fascinating.

I didn't realise the phobia of clusters of holes etc was also so common, never heard of it before today!

It's so irritating to have such a huge response to things that in reality aren't as massive a deal as our minds make out - but reading all these is oddly comforting, like it's not just me! Hopefully others are feeling that way too when they see their phobia also on here Smile

OP posts:
Maskless · 31/03/2022 22:47

Lifts. Soon as the doors close, I have a massive uncontrollable panic attack. So I never go in them unless there is no option.

The above does not appky to glass lifts. They don't have any effect on me, and I enjoy the ride and the view.

5foot5 · 31/03/2022 22:49

@DorothyZbornakisAQueen @BrokenNHS

Similar.
I have had a phobia of moths and butterflies for as long as I can remember. I am OK with most other flying insects like bees, wasps, dragonflies etc. But I guess it is something to do with the way the flutter creeps me out.

As I get older I realise I am somewhat bird phobic too. The nasty vicious ones like seagulls especially scare me but I am really not comfortable close to any bird of any size. Apart from ducks, they are OK.

RaginaPhalange · 31/03/2022 22:50

Birds, moths, butterflies, wasps, bees so basically anything with wings

ThesecondLEM · 31/03/2022 22:51

White picket fences and Morris dancers

LoveMyPiano · 31/03/2022 22:51

Caves - specifically the "ceilings" of them. Or Grottoes and Ice Houses.
Floating in water and looking down to the bottom - started this in a 12' deep pool at school. Also, being quite deep underwater, and looking up at the surface.
Heights - not so much being AT height, but being at the base of something tall - and looooming; moreso older buildings and statues etc - and churches/spires - than skyscapers etc. Especially if they suddenly appear out of nowhere in the woods (see Hoober Stand, one of the Wentworth Follies; I swear., it creeps up on you). Even so, I do sometimes seek them out. (And regret it.)
Wells.
There is also one particular sculptre in the grounds of Chatsworth - a giant head, semi-submerged in an ornamental lake. Really creepy.
Dams - love visting them but am utterly freaked out by what I would see if I fell in. (The Hoover Dam fascinates and terrifies me in equal measure.) There is one I visit at Ladybower - I have to sing to myself as I pedal past this huge black wall (when no water flowing over), particularly if dusk is falling. I will not actually go near it, and am in awe of those who will.
Also in reservoirs, the "plugholes" - cannot bear to even look at them.
And of course, submerged villages.

I could go on all night.
(Don't mind the dentist though Smile)

Thesefeetaremadeforwalking · 31/03/2022 22:53

Claustrophobia - so using lifts and flying are real trials for me.

Yamyam13 · 31/03/2022 22:53

Leeches. Just NO. Blood sucking slugs? Worst concept ever.

Springhassprung33 · 31/03/2022 22:53

Dentists. I last went a few days ago to discuss potentially undergoing IV sedation for the first time for a root canal and my blood pressure (normally 110/70) was 168/100. I also get horrendous palpitations. The dentist seemed quite surprised as I don’t show it.

FrightorFlight · 31/03/2022 22:54

Hornets. Like wasps on steroids.

Dilemma22 · 31/03/2022 22:55

Deep water.

TheBestForLast · 31/03/2022 22:56

Empty swimming pools 😱

Springhassprung33 · 31/03/2022 23:00

@FrightorFlight It might help to know that hornets (UK ones anyway) are a lot less aggressive than wasps and their sting is no worse even though they are a lot bigger.
Weirdly though they are attracted to lights at night just like moths.

Sunnytwobridges · 31/03/2022 23:02

I'm not sure it's a phobia, but I hate cigarettes/cigars. They gross me out. I can't even step on them on the ground, if I accidentally do I will wipe the bottom of my shoe off. I can't eat if there's one within sight. I wont touch them, I don't even like someone who smokes to touch anything of mine. They really gross me out me out.

I'm terrified of bugs, some birds, and I hate stray hair, it grosses me out.