To ask what scares you /freaks you out that you would not consider common? Mine is a children’s book!

[elm26]

My 3 year old is obsessed with “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt” after having it read to her at preschool, she knows all of the words and we bought it as one of her gifts for her birthday.

We read a book every night at bed, whenever she reaches for this it gives me such bad goosebumps!

I don’t know if it’s the way it’s written, the pictures, I genuinely feel panic when they’re trying to get away from the bear and he’s in the background of the pictures and then at their front door and they’ve forgotten to lock it. I absolutely detest it 🥴 it gives me the right creeps!

This is baring in mind that all I read myself is psychological thrillers and I’ve watched so much true crime I could probably commit the perfect murder 😂 why do I have such a panicky/spooked response to a children’s book fgs!

Mine is mushrooms or toadstools when they grow on the lawn! I feel sick. I also don’t like big rhubarb type plants.

To be frank, as a child I read all the Alan Garner novels I could get my hands on. They were all pretty creepy. As an adult I won't watch any horror films, but I have reread The Owl Service and the Weirdstone of Brisingamen

HNRTFT so apologies if already mentioned but I cannot go into woods/ countryside on my own . Feel isolated and vulnerable!

Horseshoe crabs. They fascinate me and horrify me at the same time. They're not even real crabs! They're an unnatural cross between army tanks and spiders. And their blood is actually blue.

I'm sorry to hear that.
I've read that some people find sleepy podcasts helpful. There is a story one that is designed to quieten thoughts. Luckily most of my intrusive thoughts are ridiculous (like snakes in the toilet or having to keep pressing the light switch until it makes the right "click" sound) so they aren't traumatic like yours. X

Yes, this.
Way back in 1989 (aged 9) I couldn't finish it and made my teacher write a warning on the inside cover for everyone else. I also became an obsessive radio listener, as that was how they knew people were dead as the radio stopped broadcasting, so if it's still going it's all right.
I still don't like end of world stories, all due to this book.

Terrifying!

I don't like bear hunt. The ending is ominous, the bears just left at the door.

I really don't like fur/animal skin clothing or accessories, Fake or real. Makes my skin crawl. I won't touch real fur. I know it's dead but it really gives me the creeps.

I am terrified of circular staircases. Especially the open work ones where you can see through the treads. Metal ones are a complete "not today Satan" event.

This is very interesting. I can understand this even though I don't share your fear. My fear is big mammals in the sea. While I'm typing this I can feel my heart racing. Seals, whales, orcas. It's the size of them. The inability to swim faster than them. And yes I swim in the sea, this thought paralyses me.
I think the ocean is a bit like the space. It's fascinating and scary at the same time.

When I was little it was the Ladybird Three Billygoats Gruff. The troll under the bridge. His nose. Peeking out from underneath. I hated it but couldn’t pull myself away. Fear of turning the pages. The ultimate relief when the goat fucks him into the river.

I watched it as a child, scarred for life - it was terrifying.

I am petrified of birds of prey!! I don’t mind a little tweety bird or a generic little garden bird but birds of prey are a massive nope for me. Not sure if it’s the beady eyes or the big wing span or what. Great big swoopy bastards can’t stand them😭😂

Siamese cats………….freaked out watching Lady and the Tramp as a child and still freak out if I see one in real life. Out lovely neighbour had 2 indoor Siamese and she used to shut them in the bedroom as I couldn’t physically bring myself to go into her house if I thought they were roaming about!

I hated the animated version. Why bring the death of a grandparent into what is a very commonly read children’s story with nothing of that nature in it in the first place? I think children’s books dealing with different issues such as grief are great to help them process things and for adult support, but why add an unnecessary layer of deep sadness to the film which changes the whole tone?

Also, if you’ve seen Michael Rosen perform the book it will probably freak you out more!

Bloody hell.

I remember having to move into my in-laws house not long after getting married and being baptised into my church. Little things kept going missing and I had some horrible nightmares about demons (and think I woke up screaming a few times, although that could have been part of the dreams.) Something reflecting in the dark window looked like a demon once as well. I was convinced I was under spiritual attack, until I smelt lily of the valley perfume, which I think was my recently deceased nan coming to help. Probably sounds a bit crazy, but it was a very weird time.

This really random and weird, but a friend gave me a bunch of sunflowers yesterday as a gift. Really kind of her and I am grateful. However the heads are just so BIG and it feels like they’re staring at me from their vase 😆 I have always liked sunflowers so I’m not sure why I’ve reacted in this way!

Oh! I am with you on this.

They have one at a Sea Life I went to.

Argh!!!

Baby dolls. All of them but worst is Tiny Tears. I was given one as a child back when you were still meant to play with such things if you were a girl. I was terrified of its vacant staring eyes and weird mouth:

Found it disgusting that it cried and wet its nappy.

Fast forward to now and this year went to Edinburgh where there’s a fantastic free museum of childhood toys.

I had to run through the room filled with dolls. I’m 50.
The stuff of nightmares for me.

Fascinating thread!

When I was a child I was as terrified of Puddle Lane - I used to hide under the table whenever my childminder put it on.

Nope! I am also not a fan of sunflowers, my sister had one that was taller than me and I refused to walk past it in her garden. The big black bit in the middle has always freaked me out, why do they have to be so huge!

I get this feeling with the BFG. I have to turn away from the TV when the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert comes on. I think it unlocks some childhood fear of the cartoon. I also hate the sight of those big novelty slimy gherkins (snozzcumbers) because that’s what he eats.

I'm scared of butterflies - and this heatwave means butterflies and moths galore. I'm sure plenty of people have seen me swerving them on the streets and wondering what is going on with this person...

Also slugs and snails. I especially feel traumatised by real-life photos of them. Just thinking of them makes me feel sick.

Sharks, horseshoe crabs and armadillos always seem too prehistoric to exist in the age of man😄

Oh this too! My mum likes to reminisce about how afraid I was of dolls and how I threw mine away... My brother was afraid too as a child, so there must be something there!

Reflecting back on childhood, I was afraid of random things. I was terrified of babies too, I didn't like to go near them.