Do you have any phobias? In my world, there are phobias and then there are phobias. I’m sure many people have their phobias that show up in every day life without impacting that life. I do have a couple of minor phobias. There is my phobia about heights. I can handle that as long as I don’t climb any high ladders, or hang over bridge rails. Spiders are a big phobia for me. I’m sure many have this phobia of creepy crawlies. Again, I can live with this phobia as long as there is someone around who can get the spider out of the house.
Phobia: an extreme or irrational fear or aversion to something
Serious Phobias
Then we come to the more serious phobias that can have a big impact on how we live our lives. For me, there are two big ones that are not fun to live with.
Dentist
I am absolutely terrified of dentists to the point that I couldn’t possibly even phone a dentist to make an appointment. I’m in need of dental work at the moment, and am struggling to know what I’m going to do about it. It’s becoming a problem that I will somehow have to solve soon.
I remember back when I was a Rotary wife, there was a member, who I was quite friendly with, who I thought was a doctor. At the time, I attended most Rotary meetings, as the Rotary exchange student was living with us, and I was highly involved in volunteering with the club. The ‘doctor’ and I would often sit together. We had cycling and fitness in common, so there was much to talk about. Until the day that I found out he was not a doctor, he was a dentist! From then on, I was speechless in his company and avoided him like the plague. I did explain to him why I was avoiding him. I’m not really sure if he understood, but I wasn’t really bothered if he didn’t. I just felt that I had to keep my distance.
Injections
Now to the biggie. Injections are a huge phobia for me and have been for my entire life. The times that I’ve had to have them, for example in the emergency department, when I broke my arm were really stressful. I’ve always worried what would happen if I cut myself in the garden and had to have a tetanus injection or if I had to have stitches. I just wouldn’t be able to do it.
I’m not sure when this phobia started, but I remember having vaccinations at school and feeling sick and crying. In those days nobody cared how you felt. You were just told to do it and don’t ask questions.
I think this fear of injections may have started when I was about ten and was dragged out of bed in the middle of the night for an injection. My uncle had that day been diagnosed with TB, and because we lived next door, and both families were in and out of each others houses constantly, we had to be vaccinated. I remember having it in the top of my leg and that it really hurt! Or in my memory it did. I could be exaggerating but it feels real.
The strange thing is that I have no problem at all having a blood test. In my mind injections and blood tests are two separate things. I do get a bit nervous in the waiting room, but it really isn’t an issue. If it was an injection I was waiting for, I’d be breathless and trying my hardest. not to cry. Then along came the pandemic. For the first year, as they were talking about vaccines that would be coming, I was in denial. I don’t think we realised how long the pandemic would go on, but I told myself that I wouldn’t be having the vaccination. I wasn’t an anti vaxxer. I thought the vaccination was a must for everyone. Everyone except me, of course. It soon became obvious that the vaccination was unavoidable, and essential to function in society, and to be able to work, I would have to have it. Also I knew I was my responsiblity to keep those around me safe.
I am totally aware that my phobia is irrational, and I knew all the reasons that I had to have the vaccination. However, I was really worried about how I could possibly do it. I knew that I couldn’t line up at a hub, so I made an appointment to have the vaccination with my doctor and discussed it with her prior to my appointment. When I’ve had my two vaccinations, my doctor was very kind and made the experience painless and stress free.
Phobias have been on my mind this week, as I’m due to have my booster this week. I’m starting to stress about it, even though I know all will be ok. I should have had the booster earlier in the month, but my doctor hasn’t had supply. Anyone else, would have gone to a vaccination hub, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I’ve been lying low since early January just as a caution.
This post is linked to Denyse’s #lifethisweek Link up which occurs each Monday and Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
Do you have any phobias? I’d like to hear about them and promise to reply to all comments left.
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I’m not sure if they are phobias, but there are things that I just plain don’t like and avoid as much as I can. Scary movies are high on this list.
Good luck with your booster this week. I found mine to be totally painless and I had zero side effects. Wishing the same to you!
Thanks for dropping in Donna. I can’t do scary movies either. I did force myself to watch the Shining years ago as I loved the book. Scared myself half to death although I did love the movie. That was probably the last scary movie that I watched.
Hi Jen, I used to hate going to the dentist as well but I finally found one who put me at ease. As you say though with your phobia even phoning for an appointment can be overwhelming. I’ve just come back from my booster shot. I think my only phobia is heights I’ve pushed myself to overcome this when we travel and have gone up tall buildings to see the sights but I’m not comfortable especially if there is a glass floor. The ironic thing is I don’t mind flying in a plane or helicopter! Take care and I hope your booster shot goes okay. #lifethisweek
It’s really interesting Sue, the things that set us off. We’re all different thankfully. I’m ok with tall buildings as long as I don’t have to go outside
I’m with you on the heights Jen, I can’t look at people standing on top of things and hate that feeling of tipping over the edge. I know where this comes from in my life and have tried hard to manage it, usually with some success. I’ve never liked needles much after fainting in the middle of the road after having one when I was a teenager. It’s funny how blood tests are fine for you but injections aren’t, isn’t the brain weird? I’ve just had my booster last week and make sure I go to someone I know and trust will do a good job and i chose our local pharmacist, he was great and knew I was a bit nervous.
I hope you can work out some way to go to the dentist as it’s very important, but you know that!! Great post for #lifethisweek
The brain definitely is weird Deb, I agree. Especially mine! I have to say fainting in the middle of the road was a bit dramatic. That must have been a dreadful experience. Working on getting to the dentist
Hi Jen – I have several things I prefer to avoid (dentists and needles are both on the list!) but nothing I’m completely phobic about. I didn’t understand it until I saw it in our daughter. She is phobic about blood tests (after several when she was very small). I watched her have a complete meltdown in her teens when she was in ED and put on a drip – it still haunts me! So, I’m really sorry for what you have to deal with in regard to yours and hope your GP gets some booster supplies soon. BTW you might want to look into dental sedations – they are an amazing way to have a fair amount of work done while you’re under twilight sedation – I’ve seen dentally phobic patients who had sedation and loved it – they have no memory of even having the work done and it’s finished in one visit.
I didn’t know about dental sedations Leanne. Will look into it. Thanks for the tip
My phobia is not of the height itself, but of fear of not being able to get back down. I’ve come to realize that the fear is based on my doubt of my own physical capability. This doubt plays out in other ways as well, and is one I am trying to work on. I can’t watch when I get an injection, nor when they take blood, but I’m not afraid of it. It’s so interesting to understand how different people are. And tons of kudos to you for facing the fear and getting the vax!
Thanks Pat. The human psyche is very complicated that’s for sure.
I never used to worry about dentists but had a bad experience 7-8yrs ago and now am somewhat paranoid about the idea of having to go (and I’ve only been once since and am definitely due to go).
I’m phobic about snakes and sharks – which isn’t too weird. But then there are things that horrify me to the point of obsession. I hate ants for eg and hate when I have them inside. I also have other things that niggle me – like having dirty hands or feet. Not phobias as such but odd tendencies.
We are all strange aren’t we Deb. I’ve got a thing about snakes too. Funny thing is we are surrounded by poisonous snakes here. Good luck with the dentist. I hope you manage to get yourself there.
Dear Jen, I guess you know I will try to encourage you to go to see A dentist. Here’s the thing, I don’t have a phobia but I sure felt scared at every dental check up…way before cancer. Here’s what I learned:
1., Tell the dentist how you feel.
2. When you ring to make an appointment with a dentist you find “tell the office person” about your fear.
3. Sharing it, just as you have here will take the power from the phobia and spread it more thinly.
Do consider your on-going health re teeth. You probably already know that poor gum health and not so good teeth are not helpful for heart health as we age. Why not chat to your doctor about it when you next visit.
Something I learned over time with exposure therapy is that I needed to take steps towards the fear I had, and give myself credit for that.
Good luck…
I appreciated you taking the time to write a post and link it up for Life This Week on my blog this week. Thank you kindly. Denyse.
Thanks for you caring comments Denyse. I have to admit I didn’t know that dental problems could affect heart health. I am going to do something about it, just need to get myself sorted out.
I’m so happy you found a way to get vaccinated against COVID despite your phobia. Good luck getting your booster!
As for me, I don’t really have any serious phobias. I mean, I freeze when getting dental work done, but I don’t really have a phobia of going to the dentist itself.
I’m pleased to hear it Astrid. Hopefully I can recover from them all one day. Thanks for dropping in
Hi Jen, There are things that I dislike and avoid but no serious phobia. Over here, clients can request dental sedation (aka laughing gas). If you’re so anxious about calling for a dental appointment atm, how about sending an email to the dentist and ask what the dentist recommends for your case? Just an inquiry to get more info that may ease your anxiety. I hope your booster appointment goes well. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare.
These are good tips Natalie. Going to get up the courage soon to ask for dental sedation.