You all know I'm terrified to sleep alone at night. And some of you know that I used to have a lot of anxiety and panic about going places I've never been to before. Especially alone. And most of you know how very hard it is for me to drive to a big city. Yeah, I consider Raleigh a big city.

What are you afraid of?

-- Renee (justme@justme.org), February 09, 2001

Answers

I am terrified of meeting new people especially in large quantities such as at parties where I know the hosts but nobody else. It's very difficult for me to motivate myself to go to parties, like today I was invited to a potluck with other local vegetarians.....I chickened out. Even if I get excited about something beforehand, when it comes down to the minute I am petrified! Sometimes I think I have social anxiety disorder or something. I'm horrible at small talk as well which just makes things worse. I do okay in small groups or one to one, and usually once I get somewhere I am just fine. It's just the anxiety ahead of time that kills me. None of my friends would believe this if I told them because they all think I'm so sociable and outgoing. HA!

-- Amethyst (honeybee@journalist.com), February 10, 2001.

After a catastrophic auto accident we were in, wherein I suffered a broken neck which entailed many months of recovery and painful physical therapy I do have problems. My phobia ? Being on the street or road when some other vehicle is there. Even when I am driving, it seems as if I am in a panic, survival mode all the time. I don't think that I am agoraphobic, as I do go ou (depends on; your definition). We made a trip to the hills to see the Aspens in their glory in the fall, and have been a place or two but no state to state like we enjoyed to the max going from Colorado to Oregon to see our daughter. One good thing, Heather (my wife) although badly shaken up, suffered no injuries and still enjoys driving. I no longer enjoy traveling as we once did, I like being somewhere but dread the going to and coming back procedure. My nightmares are abating a bit, but that is about all.

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), February 10, 2001.

I am always afraid of doing anything for the first time. I'll balk and procrastinate until there is just no way out. Then I finally leap in and do it, whatever it may be, and it always works out fine. I just never believe it until its over with.

-- annie (anne.stewart@bms.com), February 12, 2001.

Calling strangers on the phone. Like for reservations or business or something. Basically screwing it up and sounding like an idiot.

-- andrea (renhold@nbnet.nb.ca), February 12, 2001.

Anything involving strangers freaks me out. Phone calls, meeting them in groups, whatever. Strangers=bad.

-- Laura (lbhelfrich@yahoo.com), February 13, 2001.

I have an intense fear of fire. Knowing that I could lose everything, including my life, because of someone else's actions -- an unattended candle, careless smoking, playing with matches -- terrifies me. Did I mention that I live on the 27th floor of a downtown highrise?

-- Terry (fluff@cuttingthroughfluff.com), February 13, 2001.

I did forget to mention the one that everyone else thinks is strange (unless they are fellow fearers):

Clowns. Clowns=bad. I never realized how ingrained this fear was until I saw a clown in the grocery store I usually go to. He wasn't there for an event or anything. He was shopping. And everywhere I went, he would end up there, too. I'd turn down an aisle, and he would be coming the other way, sloooooooooooowly approaching until we'd pass one another, and he'd grin.

It was evil, I tell you. Evil. I finally had to leave before my shopping was done.

-- Laura (lbhelfrich@yahoo.com), February 15, 2001.

RE: Clowns and Laura Oh god, I laughed till I cried, reading about your clown-encounter!! I'm still laughing just thinking about it!

Yes, I too have always found clowns to be creepy. I don't remember ever having been traumatized by one as a child, but.... I wonder why, now that I think about it and the tears of laughter have finally dried. I mean, they're supposed to be funny and entertaining, aren't they??

They don't exactly strike terror in my heart, though. Oh no, I'm laughing at Laura's post again!!

-- Blandings (Blandings@hotmai.com), February 20, 2001.

Clowns really are not right and while I've never like them, "IT" did me in on them for good. And fire.... I don't want to think about that because two of my beloved childhood places have burnt to the ground and I can't even look at the pictures of my old homeplace yet....

-- Renee (renee@gardengeekgirl.com), February 23, 2001.

Not clowns per se, but I must say that I have a horror of forced group participation. Sing-alongs, clap-alongs, wedding games, drinking games, stupid retreat routines, being put on the spot, etc. - so I can easily imagine recoiling from clowns or any other overly-aggressive type of performer, yes ind

-- Peg (nashchick@ivillage.com), February 23, 2001.

Yes I also find clowns extremly creepy and sick I've had this fear since I was 6 and i'm now 13 ell yuck I hate clowns well gtg w/b/

-- Jamie Lynn Burdey (PLYbOy330@excite.com), April 27, 2001.

i'm afraid of the wheelbarrow. it so scarry as well as dangerous. and one time at band camp, i mangiate ditsich di faccia brut. and ever since then, i have been afraid. i'm triing to find heklp but i can't oh well. it happens.

-- n. mark hampton (nigin1@icemail.com), June 28, 2001.

You ate it doing a face plant? What's with the really bad italian?

Anyway . . . I used to have an irrational fear of flying insects (the stinging kind), but I have gotten more used to them--even though I still JUMP when they fly near me sometimes.

At the top of the page here . . . I am exactly the opposite--I LOVE going to places I've never been before, and I feel more comfortable and free than places I'm used to. The places I'm familiar with, cause me to feel more constrained, and I get way too anxious sometimes around people and places I'm familiar with. Too amny secrets, I guess.

-David

-- David Nelson (Benlo@cs.com), July 30, 2001.

Hello! I have a big fear that i would get obsessed with some evil spirit, i have fear that i always have shaking hands if i go out with friends, i have fear that i can't control my life, i have weak psyche, what can i do? How could i go stronger mentally. I have also fear that i would hurt somebody. I want to be free, please how could i get stronger?

-- tanja (taniak@email.si), August 07, 2001.

I think all you need to do is take it one step at a time. Once you get through something you will be happy you did it because it was fun or good or whatever. My dad use to always tell me, One Step At A Time

-- Constance (Shortyshazz3@aol.com), December 20, 2001.

I think clowns are the scariest things on this planet...i used to have these porcaline clowns in my bedroom and i had to make my dad take them out and put them in his room because they freaked me out so bad...

-- Megan (roxychick0499@aol.com), January 18, 2002.

I HAVE A HORRIBLE FEAR OF CLOWNS, IM 15 AND ROUND RED SUCKERS REMIND ME OF THERE NOSES I ACTUALLY IMAGINED THAT MY TEACHER GREW LONG GREEN TEETH AND A BIG RED NOSE. I HAD TO COME HOME EARLY TODAY FROM SCHOOL CAUSE I IMAGINED CLOWNS FOLLOWING ME AROUND SCHOOL AND AROUND EVERY CORNER PEAKING AT ME INSIDE JANITOR CLOSETS, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DO TO COPE WITH YOUR FEAR. IF I EVER INCOUNTERD A CLOWN AT THE GROCERY STORE IM NOT SURE IF I WOULD BEAT THE HELL OUT OF HIM OR FREEZE. I FOUND A WEBSITE WHERE I COULD VIRTUALLY PUNCH A CLOWN AND IT RELEAVED SOME STRESS BUT I QUICKLY STARTED TO CRY, I JUST NEED SOMEONE TO DISCUSS THIS WITH AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

-- MARC (PIMPDADDY7636390@AOL.COM), March 21, 2002.

clowns are cool. pennywise the clown from IT is my best friend. what do you have against these retards in make up. for all you know, it could be your ucle hesikiah under there

-- Ben Dover (connoq@aol.com), May 10, 2002.

I have a strange fear....

I have a fear to go to new schools.....it terriffy's me to start a new school. The thought of not fitting in or something. I just hate it. But i dont fear what many others do....CLOWNS

-- Jon (WxtornadoF5@aol.com), May 27, 2002.

Clowns are scary but OMG has everone gone mad.... what about the worst thing/creature that you could ever meet.... ahhhhhhhh..... SPIDERS.. wenever I see one my heart rate goes mad... I cant explain wat it feels like but its horrible... Im also very afraid of swimming pools with covers on-strange but it really freaks me out.

xxx

-- Sarah (Saz_thorny_2000@yahoo.com), August 16, 2002.

I have a fear of rubberbands. I hate them. I can stand to look at them but once they are stretched I go nuts. I flip out and scream. It even got really bad where someone thought it was funny that I was scared of something this little, but i started to cry because they wouldn't stop stretching it. Weird huh?

-- Julie Marie Renshaw (jmr13@albion.edu), September 25, 2002.

I have a fear of " bad weather" when I am home alone. I am 14 and I have had this fear for years now at least 7. If see even a speck of something on the radar I call someone to go over to there house and be with them. I hate this fear URG!

-- Lisa Paul (LisaP007@aol.com), October 08, 2002.

I am absolutely terrified of clowns! They creep me out so bad! I am also deathly afraid of spiders! i don't know which would be worse seeing a clown or a spider! I HATE deep water too! Water that goes over my head absolutely terrifies me, and in turn i have this fear of drowning!

-- Heather (glitterangel31@hotmail.com), October 12, 2002.

**i am very scared of my death...thats maybe why i am so obessed with it. its weird but oh well**

-- Jyhme deen dikensin (DFDxx69x@aol.com), October 30, 2002.

I am so afraid of hotdogs, they scare the shit out of me!

-- Jack mehoff (SexyTris@honkeynigga.com), November 06, 2002.

i have a weird pobia also... i am really scared of BLOOD! the color red even scares me and makes me sick! i am not sure why i am scared of this. i cant stand health class because it seems that everything deals with blood and it makes me quiver and shake. blood..YUCK!!

-- keri (sweetninnocent_15@yahoo.com), November 27, 2002.

I am absolutly TERRIFIED of Clowns. I am 21 but they scare the hell out of me. If I see one, I will go competly white in the face, I will start shaking uncontrolable, and I will mutter over and over again, "Clown, no clown, no clown! no clown!" If one comes near me, I will really loose it, I will completely freaze in place. People are always asking me, "why are you so scared? Did something happen to you when you were little?" I honestly don't know why, but I do know I am terrified and always have been.

-- Beth Diaker (chatlover81@hotmail.com), December 04, 2002.

CLOWNS I AGREE I VERY FRIGGIN CREEPY...I DONT USALLY HAVE ENCOUNTERS WITH THEM THO..AND THANK GOD..CLOWNS ARE SATAN'S SPAWNS..I THINK THE MOVIE "IT" DID IT FOR ME

-- TROUTNER (CANNIBAL_TAPEWORM@YAHOO.COM), December 14, 2002.

actually this isn't an answer. I've come to realize that I need to come out and say it. I have Anuptaphobia and Isolophobia. I'm deathly afriad of being alone and single the rest of my life. I can't stand it... everywhere i go there are couples.. it seems like every movie on tv is a "love" movie! I can't stand it anymore!!!! Or maybe I just am afriad of women.... is it possible to be afraid of women...? I can't talk to them... several have told me they like me and have feelings for me yet, I can't talk to them I freeze up and go all dry mouth! AHHHH I hate it!! advice would be helpful!

-- "Chuck" (sentgeoj@mnsfld.edu), January 16, 2003.

I am afraid of driving on the road when the weather is bad and just in general. Of course, if I were the only one on the road I would have no problem. I also had a car accident in 1999. I suffered a severe head concusion, multiple lacerations to my face(had to get stitches for my eyebrows), three broken ribs, three torn tendons to my right hand, a deep gash to my left knee, a broken right femur(upper right leg) and two broken heels. The accident was caused by the other driver while I was on my way to work at approximately 7:30am. I have no memory of the accident except that I woke up that morning and that I iron my clothes. The next thing I remember is two days later, waking in a hospital bed all bandaged up and in severe pain. I was on morphine for 2 weeks and tylenol w/codeine for 2 more weeks. I was left in a wheelchair for four months and by the time I was able to use my feet again I had to learn how all over again. So yeah, I have a fear of driving. I'm afraid to get near other vehicles and especially the "big rigs". I wish other drivers out there were somehow aware that there are people out there like us who have had a traumatic experience while driving. Maybe they could have a little more compassion for us and drive a little more aware around us. After all, it's not something we asked for and it's not always our fault.

-- Sabrina Diaz (sabrina@cows.com), January 16, 2003.

I have a terrible fear of the dentist. I never used to be afraid but then all of a sudden one time I went and I couldn't stand it, ever since then I couldn't go without getting freaked out. The dentist perscribed me valium for when I go (if I get the courage). It's really weird, if I go even close to the dentists office I start to shake and my eye twitches. weird huh?

-- Daphne Fines (duckie4jesus@hotmail.com), February 08, 2003.