Phobias
By Humbug25
@Humbug25 (12540)
July 20, 2008 5:55am CST
From the age of 2 and a half my son has had a real phobia of dogs. He once ran into the road to avoid one that was oncoming and that is when I realised how serious his fear was. He is 7 now and is overcoming this problem though he is still extremely wary of dogs until he realises that they are not going to hurt him.
Tell me what your fears and phobias are?
Have you ever come across someone with a really weird phobia?
I am looking forward to hearing your comments and if you have managed to overcome them your phobias.
2 people like this
4 responses
@Crimson888 (72)
• Singapore
20 Jul 08
Hi...
In the past, I had a phobia with height and it was only after a lot of training and encouragment from my friends and relative that I managed to overcome this phobia... I still remember that they force me to look down from 12 floor just for me to overcome the fear..
Quite thankful to them for their help
2 people like this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
20 Jul 08
Well done on facing your fear, it certainly wasn't easy to do what you did and good on your family and friends for caring about you so much that they were there to help you. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and I am sure you appreciate now what your family and friends did for you. You certainly can't let phobias rule your life can you?
All the best
1 person likes this
@bieke81 (1067)
• Belgium
30 Jul 08
I don't have a phobia, but my youngest son did. Ever since he was born he didn't like to go in the water to bath him. Because he needed to go, and I hoped he would outgrew it I bath him every day and when he was around 1 years old his crying turned into panic mode. We are now trying to help him get over this and we are making progress but it's very slow.
Have a nice day 
@LadyStrawberry (173)
• Slovenia
30 Jul 08
hmm.. what if he's allergic maybe to something in the water..? like chlorine, or any remains of chemicals in the tub or such?
maybe you could try filtering the water & see if this helps? (or using no soap/shampoo or natural/organic ones?)
another way is maybe distracting him with some toys like duckies or such (just make sure they're from safe materials too!)
2 people like this
@aidenw (632)
• United States
30 Jul 08
i have a phobia of worms. i think for a guy it's pretty weird, huh? but yeah, i won't even go near one. i don't see how people can use live worms as baits when fishing 'cos they have to touch them. it would make me squirm! my wife has a phobia of cockroaches and i think it's kinda weird too.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
1 Aug 08
Hi ya aidenw
I don't think yours or your wife's phobia is weird as you are talking about creatures and I think it is quite normal not to dislike their texture or the look or the way a creature moves. It is something I think you can get over if you really want to but if you don't come into contact with them often enough for you to really worry about then it isn't anything to really worry about!
Thanks for your response!
@LadyStrawberry (173)
• Slovenia
30 Jul 08
hm, the dogs.. It's good to be a bit cautious with them, but maybe you could get him together with a real friendly calm dog or something? & proceed slow.. like 1st just to be in the room or near a friendly dog on a leash, then next time slowly approach or even pet..
It's good to teach him the 'warning signs' - when the dog is mad, when he's friendly or happy to see you (wagging the tail)... & never to go between a dog & his food or such.. & steer away from strange dogs chained to a pen when they bark..
Maybe go through pictures of dogs together, or see videos - look, this dog is friendly.. this one isn't friendly..
there is lots of info online...
I had some small-scale 'phobias', nothing much.. like spiders, syringes, dentist, car-driving lol - did overcome them a bit, so that I'm merely uncomfortable, not more.. :) & I tell in a lab or to a dentist I might get queasy or such, so I get 'VIP treatment' lol
Hope your son manages to overcome his fear & learns the signs/'language' of dogs!! :)
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
1 Aug 08
Hi there LadyStrawberry
Thanks for the advice which is more or less what I have been doing with him. He seems to have got past the hysterical stage now which is a relief! My dad has a very excitable chocolate labrador who is about 3 years old and he got hysterical when he first met him. Now he will take him out for walks, rub his belly and feed him. He is still very wary when he meets new dogs but he has every right to be cautious of any dog. So he is doing really well and I think in a few years time he will have forgotten all about his phobia!
Many thanks for you response
