Dear LPG,

While browsing the internet I came across a list of phobias.  I have never really thought about it before but the website I came across included a list which was frighteningly extensive.  I had no idea that there were so many things that people are afraid of. 

I think that we all think that phobias are something that other people suffer with but not us, the perfectly rational people, but now I come to think of it I have a friend who has a true fear of the dentist and there is a word for that… Dentophobia. I have another that fits into the category because of her fear of flying (Pteromerhanophobia).  I often see my friend’s weaknesses and find it really hard to understand why they should find these really non offensive things so difficult to live with but I have to admit to never sleeping without a night light (Nyctophobia) and don’t get me started on my reaction to even seeing a spider on the television let alone in reality (Arachnophobia ).  But there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what scares us if my love for the pet snake I had for 16 years is anything to go by.

I suppose that for the most part we learn to suppress our feelings about the things that worry us, but I think that we all have them to some extent. They sometimes come up in conversation, even if we keep them under wraps.  It is when we can’t do that; when a niggle becomes a fear, and finally a phobia, simply because our fear of it starts affecting our everyday life. 

I do have to say that I never ever knew how many of these phobias exist to the point that they have actually been named, but the fact that they do proves that there are few phobias that have not had an effect on someone, somewhere in this world of ours.

So we have a choice; if something worries us to the point where it is affecting our life, no matter how silly and irrational it seems to others, talk to someone about it.

Fear is a state of mind worth considering, dealing with, and putting back in its box, if we can.

PA, Woolwich

PA shares her list of Phobias and LPG found some other information…

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