Has anyone ever conquered their phobia?

[Penumbra]

Besides spiders, my only other mild phobia is of dark water.

Skepticism of dark water is natural (I mean, there are sharks and all...) but I get a little more nervous than I should if I'm in water like that. I would have trouble ever going surfing or jumping out of a boat with a group of people or something.

At my bravest, I go up to my waist in the ocean, but if a piece of seaweed brushes my ankle or something I'll squeal and move away. I end up being constantly worried about getting pinched on the foot by a crab, or stepping on a sting ray, or just touching anything slimy in general. Plus, sharks. There was one time we swam to a sand bar and the water was too deep to stand at the mid point, and I basically started clinging to my bf because I was uncomfortable. When I went wake-boarding, every time after I let go and had to float in the lake until I was picked up, I was very scared as I floated over 20 foot deep dark water, and sort of floated in a ball because I didn't want my legs sticking too far under the surface where I can't see them. The idea that there was 20 feet of dark water under me was just way too scary. Even when I went white water rafting, where it was only several feet deep, I was nervous about swimming in the calm spots, where everyone swims (and did so only briefly before getting back up on the raft).

I just try to work with it in little bits. I'm a strong swimmer, so it has nothing to do with the water itself. It's the fear of the animals, basically.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

So, back to my initial question really, is there any other way, asides from immersion therapy to cure a phobia? Come on, IMMERSION - I'd go crazy first...

Hate to break it to you, but exposure/immersion therapy is often the best way to go about it. And they don't throw you face-to-face on day one. You start of small, often not even being exposed to the real thing for awhile (such as pictures and texture examples at first if you are in therapy for arachnophobia). And eventually you work your way up to contact with the real thing. And next thing you know it's no real biggy and you feel stronger.

 

[The Wizard]

:sad:

I have a phobia, my sister and my mom and I all share this irrational phobia.
We are normal people asides from this I swear. I mean, yah I have things that I am scared of spiders, scary movies, but this is completely different.

I have Trypophobia or a "fear of clusters." I get upset, angry and panicked when I see something that fits into this description, it's a visual phobia.

If you type in Trypophobia and look in images you'll see what I mean.

My biggest worry right now is that someone would be very cruel and post a picture or image in this post..please don't.

I have thought of immersion therapy but I can't even look at images without looking away and immediately thinking of a mantra or something to repeat or envision immediately to self soothe.

The feeling I get reminds me of disease, feeling dirty, it's a feeling of disgust. My scalp itches, I get nervous..it's awful.

Thank God mostly only my family knows and husband as you get good at disguising these things.

So, back to my initial question really, is there any other way, asides from immersion therapy to cure a phobia? Come on, IMMERSION - I'd go crazy first...

I don't know. My remedy was what I deemed "the nose pick solution". I am a public performer in which I have no problems. But, at times of not performing, I can't stand when in various public places people who have to sit around and stare at everyone. Like in certain stores. It gives me creepy crawlies. I'd say its a phobia. I can see them clear as day. Just sitting there staring, thinking, sizing up, measuring, evaluating, looking for something in which I have no idea.. "Do I look back at them?" NO! They'll stare even more.. What is wrong with them? Is there some sort of shiny object above my head or what? Do I acknowledge with a nod that I know they are staring at me? NO! They may then think some magical connection is between us. Then they'll get even more curious and stare and think even more... as I have to shop... OMG.. He is still staring at me! Munching on chips totally oblivious..

Oh, wait...I forgot about my scratch buttocks or pick nose card. This character is obviously wanting and waiting for something, for reasons unknown, so up goes my finger in my nose, just jammed it right in there, as I stared back with a dumb founded look on my face- total idiotic expression. Well, look at that... In 2.6 nanoseconds they have instantly changed to munching and staring at someone else... Thank goodness..

It was the only way...