The Irrational Fears Thread

[heybrad]

Something I just mentioned in another thread inspired me to create this one. I admittedly have some strange irrational fears. Some examples:

1. I have a way over the top fear/reaction to spiders/bees/wasps. I've never been stung so I have this thought that must mean I'd have a way worse reaction this much later in life which I'm sure isn't true. Still, I'm the crazy guy jumping around when there's bees, spiders or really most insects.

2. This one's really out there. You know the Pillsbury roll containers? The ones that you knock against the counter and they explode open. I always have this pause when opening them thinking one of these times the metal ending is going to come loose and slit my jugular. I know... it's irrational.

I know I have others. Just curious what irrational fears others around here may have.

[JPhillips]

Cracking my neck will one day sever my spine.

[tarcone]

Snakes. I get nervous when I go into or near where snakes could be.

I went to a creek to get some granite rocks to build a flower bed. Went with in laws. BIL brought a gun for snakes.
I found a great square one. Lifted it and a snake was under it. I high stepped about 100 feet in 3 seconds. Much to the amusement of my in laws.

Hate snakes.

[digamma]

Snakes and airline turbulence are my two biggest fears.

[revrew]

I had Child Protective Services launch an investigation into my family 15 years ago. It was an ugly, ugly witch hunt. Since then, I've had to deal with them once because of a nosy neighbor making up crap and again when my son broke his leg.

But since then, I just break out in cold sweats when I think about them showing up on the front porch. I get stupid, scared almost whenever the doorbell rings. I'm a very protective, even over-protective daddy, and I am not rational about my fear/loathing of CPS.

[AlexB]

Hornets, wasps & bees (in that order) are mine too - never been stung either so may be part of it.

I'm generally OK with bees now - took me a while but worked out that unless I piss off the queen (small q :D ) it's in their best interest not to sting me (I may also be overestimating their sense of logic!)

I hate it when I'm in the office and a wasp or hornet gets in - have to pretend to be indifferent when inside I'm freaking out!

[Dutch]

Bugs and snakes don't bother me, but bugs and snakes that seemingly appear out of nowhere can get me pretty much everytime.

Dark water freaks me out. Lake water...ocean water...pretty much anything that can have random sea creatures or lake monsters.

[Izulde]

Snakes.

[BYU 14]

Scorpions, and I live in the friggin Desert!

[EagleFan]

Wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, bees in general. I try to keep it together as a good example for my kids but inside I am screaming and running away.

Snakes don't bother me as much, but not fond of handling them if I have to. Only time they scared me was when I accidentally stepped on one in bare feet. I was a kid and was coming back from swimming. It curled across my foot and slithered away. That one startled me.

Spiders get me if they are big, and I am not expecting them. We get brown recluse, wolf and black widows around here so I try to look before I reach into the wood pile (and always have gloves on when I do).

Storms get me a little stressed since that moving and going through the derecho (sp?) just a few weeks after moving in. We have plenty of large trees around here and had several come down in that storm, don't want to go through that again.

[lungs]

Bees. Never was allergic as a kid but reacted starting in my 20s. Not a big fan.

Ever since my house burned down the smell of smoke and the sound of smoke detectors are very unnerving. Naturally after this all happened my dad went out and replaced the smoke detectors in his house and I was sitting there while he tested them. After testing two I had to get up and leave even though I knew he was just testing them.

[MrBug708]

Sandpaper. I hate the texture and feel of it.

[CU Tiger]

FLYING.
I have over 3 million flyer miles.
I still HATE to fly. Get nervous everytime I step on a plane. Like shaking, sweating, mental strength not to turn and run nervous. Once Im seated, even before take off I am totally cool.

[Draft Dodger]

convertibles. I am certain I will flip over in one and be crushed

[Subby]

Chewing aluminum foil.

[jeff061]

Sharks will eat me immediately if I go in the ocean.

Also almost any severe weather with maybe the exception of Blizzards. Thunderstorms, heavy winds, god forbid I'm somewhere with Tornado warnings in effect. All trigger some heavy anxiety.

[Desnudo]

I had Child Protective Services launch an investigation into my family 15 years ago. It was an ugly, ugly witch hunt. Since then, I've had to deal with them once because of a nosy neighbor making up crap and again when my son broke his leg.

But since then, I just break out in cold sweats when I think about them showing up on the front porch. I get stupid, scared almost whenever the doorbell rings. I'm a very protective, even over-protective daddy, and I am not rational about my fear/loathing of CPS.

That's not irrational since it happened.

[heybrad]

Chewing aluminum foil.
???

This one required further explanation.

[Kodos]

Wasps, hornets, bees, stinging insects. Spiders, I can handle. They are usually on a squashable surface if it comes to that. Bees, I run away like a little girl, pushing through old women and children as I go.

[Coffee Warlord]

1. I have a way over the top fear/reaction to spiders/bees/wasps. I've never been stung so I have this thought that must mean I'd have a way worse reaction this much later in life which I'm sure isn't true. Still, I'm the crazy guy jumping around when there's bees, spiders or really most insects.


This. Exactly this. I've never once been stung in my life, and yet I'm still absolutely terrified of bees/wasps. Spiders not AS much, as they don't have the unfair advantage of flight.

Pretty much...to hell with all insects.

[Subby]

???

This one required further explanation.

The thought of putting it in my mouth and chewing it terrifies me.

[Kodos]

This. Exactly this. I've never once been stung in my life, and yet I'm still absolutely terrified of bees/wasps. Spiders not AS much, as they don't have the unfair advantage of flight.



Yep, that's what makes stinging bugs scarier than spiders. They are harder to crush, and are faster than you. And they can come in numbers.

[Chief Rum]

I'm irrationally afraid that the Clippers will continue to lose stupidly in key home playoff games in the second round for the rest of eternity.

Oh wait, that's rational.

[Logan]

I have a fear that every time I try to go to Youtube at work, I'll type "Youp***" instead.

Rational or irrational?

[Kodos]

Maybe you should make yourself a bookmark.

[CraigSca]

Roller coasters and any ride where I'm flung around, lose my stomach, etc. Sorry, losing control like that is just not fun for me.

[Suicane75]

I'll never go there so it's fine, but I have an honest to goodness irrational fear of Scandinavian countries. Not the countries themselves, but the location. Something about being that high up on the earth gives me chills. But it's also the central location, as I'm sure that as long as my safety concerning frozen lakes and car crashes was assuaged I could easily go to the Northern Territories, for instance. But central, northern Europe, no way man. No way.

[stevew]

I have pretty good insurance but the thought of making an awkward movement and really tweaking an Achilles or an ACL has always freaked me out.

[Chief Rum]

I have pretty good insurance but the thought of making an awkward movement and really tweaking an Achilles or an ACL has always freaked me out.

So it's you and Derrick Rose now.

[Chief Rum]

I'll never go there so it's fine, but I have an honest to goodness irrational fear of Scandinavian countries. Not the countries themselves, but the location. Something about being that high up on the earth gives me chills. But it's also the central location, as I'm sure that as long as my safety concerning frozen lakes and car crashes was assuaged I could easily go to the Northern Territories, for instance. But central, northern Europe, no way man. No way.

I took care of a Swedish family yesterday at my restaurant. Tipped me 5 bucks on 88. How do you say "Well, you kinda suck a little" in Swedish?

[Draft Dodger]

I'll never go there so it's fine, but I have an honest to goodness irrational fear of Scandinavian countries. Not the countries themselves, but the location. Something about being that high up on the earth gives me chills. But it's also the central location, as I'm sure that as long as my safety concerning frozen lakes and car crashes was assuaged I could easily go to the Northern Territories, for instance. But central, northern Europe, no way man. No way.

that is an impressively irrational fear

[Peregrine]

For me it tends to be stuff that has happened to me before. I never used to care about bee/wasp stings, and it happened fairly often as a kid. But then several years ago I got stung multiple times in a month or so period and ever since I am totally freaked out by even seeing one, like a visceral reaction.

Also around eight years ago I took the three stairs to my garage to take the trash out and wasn't paying attention and fell. No big injury but ever since then I'm super careful on stairs, always holding the rail etc. It's like I'm playing back in my mind that I will fall down them.

[cougarfreak]

Snakes. X 1000. I don't care if they're 6 inches. I'd rather deal with a lion.

[Edward64]

I took care of a Swedish family yesterday at my restaurant. Tipped me 5 bucks on 88. How do you say "Well, you kinda suck a little" in Swedish?

Give them a break, they don't usually tip in Europe so I think they went the extra effort to remember.

[Edward64]

Good to read that I'm not alone. I'm nervous around snakes and wasps/hornets ... but since they can hurt, don't necessarily think they are irrational.

I think my true irrational fear is I am nervous around balloons, always thinking they will pop.

[Dutch]

Give them a break, they don't usually tip in Europe so I think they went the extra effort to remember.

Correct, the "thanks" is government mandated in Sweden. :)

[heybrad]

When I drive over tall bridges I have an irrational fear that I'm going to find a way to just drive off the side. I think it's because I get a bit of a vertigo feeling if I look over the side.

[Chief Rum]

Give them a break, they don't usually tip in Europe so I think they went the extra effort to remember.

Ever been a waiter?

[dubb93]

I think my true irrational fear is I am nervous around balloons, always thinking they will pop.

I don't like balloons at all, but I wouldn't say I am afraid of them. The noise that happens when someone rubs them has the effect to make every hair on my body stand up, give me goosebumps, and make a pain shoot down my spine. I have no idea why. I don't go out of my way to avoid them but I loathe them to my core. I don't mind them popping...quite the opposite; I would love to pop every single balloon I come across.

[B & B]

Rational or Irrational?

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[Schmidty]

Suffocation and any water that I can't see under.

[stevew]

The fear of getting Gone Girl'd.

(just watched the movie)

[QuikSand]

When I drive over tall bridges I have an irrational fear that I'm going to find a way to just drive off the side. I think it's because I get a bit of a vertigo feeling if I look over the side.

I have a shade of the bridge thing, and it's pretty close to this. It's not that I actually think that the bridge is going to collapse (though I do have those thoughts, I guess), it's more that it just seems to be too easy for a driver, like me, to turn the wheel abruptly (or something) and plunge.

I believe there's a complicated French term for the feeling, I don't know of an English counterpart. Camus talked about it, and I think nailed it...paraphrased as "it's not fear of falling, it's fear of jumping."

[Julio Riddols]

I have a severe case of omphalophobia. That one scene from 'The Cell' almost made me throw up when I first saw it. People who know what omphalophobia is will know exactly which scene I speak of.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I have a shade of the bridge thing, and it's pretty close to this. It's not that I actually think that the bridge is going to collapse (though I do have those thoughts, I guess), it's more that it just seems to be too easy for a driver, like me, to turn the wheel abruptly (or something) and plunge.

I believe there's a complicated French term for the feeling, I don't know of an English counterpart. Camus talked about it, and I think nailed it...paraphrased as "it's not fear of falling, it's fear of jumping."

+2

This was worse when I was a kid and wasn't actually in control of the car, but it's still there a little now.

[Radii]

I have a severe case of omphalophobia


Had to google it, I've never heard of that before.

[PilotMan]

Scorpions and heights, but I don't consider either of those irrational, lol.

[NobodyHere]

I have a severe case of omphalophobia. That one scene from 'The Cell' almost made me throw up when I first saw it. People who know what omphalophobia is will know exactly which scene I speak of.

So I have to ask, do either "innies" or "outies" provoke more fear than the other? Also are you afraid to look at yourself in the mirror? Or is it just other people that brings fear.

[Edward64]

Had to google it, I've never heard of that before.

Inspired me to look up the official word

Globophobia - fear of balloons phobia. Now I know.

[Julio Riddols]

So I have to ask, do either "innies" or "outies" provoke more fear than the other? Also are you afraid to look at yourself in the mirror? Or is it just other people that brings fear.

I couldn't date a girl with an outie. Innies are generally fine. I can look at them, but once they begin getting manipulated in some way, I'm out. Belly button rings have always been a sticking point. People intentionally playing with their belly buttons in front of me makes me queasy. Its friggin' weird, and I don't really know how to explain why I have such an odd affliction. When my ex and I had our kid, I was surprisingly able to deal with the umbilical cord being partially attached for a while. I was expecting to nearly vomit every time I looked at it, heh.

It feels awkward as hell telling women prior to sexual contact that they must stay away from my belly button at all costs. It takes me completely out of my element... But it is a good measuring stick when it comes to seeing how empathetic they are capable of being.

[TroyF]

I have a shade of the bridge thing, and it's pretty close to this. It's not that I actually think that the bridge is going to collapse (though I do have those thoughts, I guess), it's more that it just seems to be too easy for a driver, like me, to turn the wheel abruptly (or something) and plunge.

I believe there's a complicated French term for the feeling, I don't know of an English counterpart. Camus talked about it, and I think nailed it...paraphrased as "it's not fear of falling, it's fear of jumping."


There have been a lot of studies on this. I don't have it in an enclosed space, but if I'm on a high spot, I feel the urge to jump. Never done it, not suicidal, don't want to die. . . but get me on a high spot and I feel like I'm going to do it. Even my balcony at home, I have to avoid looking over the edge or I'll feel like I'm going to just do it.

I think it's a form of "intrusive thought" though most of those are religious or violent in nature.

My other irrational fear is like some of the others here. Bees, wasps, anything that looks like it can sting. Scares the hell out of me.

[Chief Rum]

I have a shade of the bridge thing, and it's pretty close to this. It's not that I actually think that the bridge is going to collapse (though I do have those thoughts, I guess), it's more that it just seems to be too easy for a driver, like me, to turn the wheel abruptly (or something) and plunge.

I believe there's a complicated French term for the feeling, I don't know of an English counterpart. Camus talked about it, and I think nailed it...paraphrased as "it's not fear of falling, it's fear of jumping."

I don't really get this on bridges, but I definitely do if I am approaching an unprotected/guardrailed cliff edge on a road or highway. I was in Yosemite over the weekend and did a lot of driving on mountain roads with curves with no guardrails. It's pretty freaky; makes me drive like a grandma.

[Chief Rum]

I have a severe case of omphalophobia. That one scene from 'The Cell' almost made me throw up when I first saw it. People who know what omphalophobia is will know exactly which scene I speak of.

I am guessing your fear there is so severe, you couldn't even actually write it what it was, making us Google it? That's not a judgment; I'm just acknowledging that you did that, and I get it.

[Chief Rum]

I have a big fear of heights (among other things). But I have been working on this one a lot, and I think I have made real strides.

This week in Yosemite, a friend of mine wanted to go rock hopping up a stream to see if we could get behind a waterfall. We weren't actually able to do that, and we came back down the stream a different way. That way ended up involving crossing the stream on a fallen log, maybe 10 feet above the water. Crossing that (slowly) for me was an accomplishment.

Even have video of it (although my friend turned her video off before I said "Fuck you, fear of heights! lol)

[Julio Riddols]

I am guessing your fear there is so severe, you couldn't even actually write it what it was, making us Google it? That's not a judgment; I'm just acknowledging that you did that, and I get it.

I don't know why I didn't explain it, but I did know there were some interesting articles that come up when you google it so I guess maybe subconsciously I wanted everyone to enjoy the discovery.. I don't know, but now that you mention it I have acknowledged it as well. My brain makes choices sometimes that I don't really know the motives behind.

[Julio Riddols]

I don't really get this on bridges, but I definitely do if I am approaching an unprotected/guardrailed cliff edge on a road or highway. I was in Yosemite over the weekend and did a lot of driving on mountain roads with curves with no guardrails. It's pretty freaky; makes me drive like a grandma.

Nothing wrong with driving like a grandma in those situations if you ask me. Never know when there might be a blowout or some other unknown freak event, and I would kick myself if I was driving faster than I needed to and had something like that happen on a treacherous road. I don't even have that fear and I still drive extra cautious on those roads too.

There are a couple other things I fear, but I don't consider flying or bees/wasps irrational fears because they are inherently dangerous things. There is a reason to fear them.

[Butter]

Somebody throwing a lit cigarette out of their car window, it bouncing up into my engine and catching it on fire.

I've been told that's a pretty stupid one.

[Autumn]

Somebody throwing a lit cigarette out of their car window, it bounces up and lands on my lips, and now I'm addicted to cigarettes.

[Suicane75]

Somebody throwing a lit cigarette out of their car window, it bounces up and lands on my lips, and now I'm James Dean.

[Schmidty]

Somebody throwing a lit cigarette out of their car window, it bounces up and lands on my lips, and now I'm James Dean.

Insert a person saluting.

[cartman]

Somebody throwing a lit cigarette out of their car window, it bounces up and lands on my lips, and now I'm James Dean.

As long as you aren't driving a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, you'll be ok.

[Butter]

Thanks guys, I thought this was a safe place to discuss my irrational fears, but I see otherwise now! You bunch of cockless cowards!

[Schmidty]

Thanks guys, I thought this was a safe place to discuss my irrational fears, but I see otherwise now! You bunch of cockless cowards!

:devil:

[Suicane75]

Thanks guys, I thought this was a safe place to discuss my irrational fears, but I see otherwise now! You bunch of cockless cowards!

OK, to go back to being serious for a moment, and just a moment. I don't know if hypochondria counts or not because I'm sure the fear of being sick or dying isn't so irrational or odd, but when I was a teenager I was so fearful of every mole and lump that I pretty much drove my mother crazy. I have a big ass mole on my pubic area and I spent a good year convinced it was cancerous and that every weird feeling in my johnson was because of cancer. Luckily I got over it but it was a fucking tiresome way to live.

[Ksyrup]

Had to dig this thread up after a discussion about this today...

Mine are:

1. Fear of breaking my hand/fingers/wrist reaching to open a door at the exact moment someone else is pushing it open from the other side.

2. Fear of a spoon, fork or some other metal utensil getting stuck in the garbage disposal when doing the dishes, turning on the disposal and getting impaled by the shrapnel.

Carry on.

[spleen1015]

Had to dig this thread up after a discussion about this today...

Mine are:

1. Fear of breaking my hand/fingers/wrist reaching to open a door at the exact moment someone else is pushing it open from the other side.

2. Fear of a spoon, fork or some other metal utensil getting stuck in the garbage disposal when doing the dishes, turning on the disposal and getting impaled by the shrapnel.

Carry on.

Regarding #1, I have this same thought every time I reach for the door handle to exit the restroom at work.Same exact fear.

[Ksyrup]

I actually do a sweeping motion to grab the handle so I don't get hit straight on and it will hopefully be more of a glancing blow.

[tarcone]

As far as the 2nd one, I refuse to put my hand down the drain where the garbage disposal. Because when I do it will just start running. Even if no one else is around. I know it will.

[BYU 14]

2. Fear of a spoon, fork or some other metal utensil getting stuck in the garbage disposal when doing the dishes, turning on the disposal and getting impaled by the shrapnel.

Carry on.

I always put my hand or an object in the trajectory path between the disposal and my face when I turn it on to protect my eyes :)

[cuervo72]

I kinda just lean back.

Re: doors - former work door is a very heavy metal one with a metal doorknob. I got in the habit of touching the back of my hand to it before grabbing it to diffuse shocks.

(Thankfully door access required card/pin entry, so you could typically hear if someone was about to open it from the outside, assuming you were paying attention. I did witness it being opened into people on a few occasions though.)

[Radii]

As far as the 2nd one, I refuse to put my hand down the drain where the garbage disposal. Because when I do it will just start running. Even if no one else is around. I know it will.

Same. Watching someone else do it scares the shit out of me as well.

[CrimsonFox]

Republicans...

[CrimsonFox]

I always put my hand or an object in the trajectory path between the disposal and my face when I turn it on to protect my eyes :)

you've seen too many movies.

But you should always turn off the Garbage disposal breaker before working on it. And even then they say to use a wooden spoon or something. Obviously take out the little rubber strainer.

[Edward64]

Before the coronavirus, I flew quite a bit. I hate it when the pilot would warn of a bumpy ride. I hate the dips. I know the plane isn't going to break apart but I'm always either pressing my foot against the "legs" of the seat in front of me and/or holding on to one arm rest, trying to be as nonchalant as possible.