Phobias

My family likes to joke about my germ phobia. They laugh at the number of times I wash my hands and the fact that I won’t share drinks or food with anyone. It is all in fun, so I don’t mind. In reality though, I know I don’t really have a phobia, just a strong dislike of germs. If I had to share a drink with someone, I wouldn’t have a panic attack or hyperventilate. The same holds true with my “claustrophobia”. Do I like being in small spaces? Not a bit! Can I close my eyes and pretend I’m not “trapped”? Absolutely! My semi-phobias got me thinking about other people who suffer from actual phobias and how hard it must be to get thorough a day. Of course, with some phobias (like the fear of heights), the person can just avoid certain situations and go on with their day. Other phobias, unfortunately, can dictate a person’s entire life.


On Merriam-webster.com, I found a list of very unusual phobias. The first listed is Haphephobia. This is the fear of being touched. Can you imagine how different your life would be if you were afraid of physical contact? I can’t get through my day without hugs from my girls. They make me feel stronger and loved. I can’t imagine being afraid to touch them. The second listed was Doraphobia. This is one that can be avoided easily enough. It is the fear of touching animal fur. The third phobia is hard to imagine. It is called Eremophobia, the morbid fear of being alone. As most mothers know, the few minutes alone each day are like heaven. As much as we love our kids, we look forward to our moments of solitude. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to live with the feeling that I always needed someone around. Another unusual phobia is Hypnophobia. This is the fear of falling to sleep. This particular phobia could lead to many other issues that go along with insomnia and lack of sleep. I would be so sad to develop this phobia.  I love sleeping!!!!  To check out the entire list of unusual phobias, go to http://www.merriam-webster.com/top-ten-lists/be-very-afraid/haphephobia.html . What unusual phobias have you encountered in others? Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!