Print(Even though this is a very tongue in cheek post, in NO way am I trying to dismiss other people who have phobias or anxieties of any type, I just need to laugh at how messed up I am sometimes and all my quirkiness, with that being said…)
“Phobia (plural phobias or phobiæ)”
An irrational or obsessive fear or anxiety, usually of or about something particular.
I was really beating myself up yesterday because I was procrastinating on doing things I have a “phobia” about…and when I beat myself up, I get even more anxious and upset which then sets up this whole messed up mind set. This morning I was going to write about my phobia called: “Cenophobia or Centophobia“- Fear of new things or ideas. Mind you, I don’t have a phobia about ALL new things/ideas, but when it comes to starting new projects, meeting new people, going to a new place, even getting my hair cut, (the list goes on and on) I get a little hinky.
I’m not going into the why’s and wherefores of my phobias as I usually save that for my ever patient and supportive therapist, but my “trickster” said to me this morning, “Wendy, you need to lighten up and laugh at yourself a little.” And then came the idea of looking at all the phobias I have (which I usually don’t find funny at the time) so that I can celebrate how neurotic I am. So, it is with great pleasure, I share with you some of my phobias.
Atelophobia- Fear of imperfection.
Atychiphobia- Fear of failure.
Catagelophobia- Fear of being ridiculed.
MY BIGGEST PHOBIA:
Coulrophobia- Fear of clowns. (Yes, I was of that generation who’s childhood was haunted by this insane children’s show “Bozo the Clown” and then my phobia only increased when I happened to watch the t.v. movie “It” by Steven King.)
- Hi Boys and Girls, don’t I look like a nice and friendly clown? I’ll be your pal…
- I’m really gonna mess with your mind more, Wendy and haunt your nightmares..Yep, me and Bozo!
Iatrophobia- Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors.
Metathesiophobia- Fear of changes.
Ochlophobia- Fear of crowds or mobs.
Odontophobia- Fear of dental surgery.
Satanophobia- Fear of Satan. (Again, relating to “Bozo” as this is how I imagine Satan to look like.)
Soteriophobia – Fear of dependence on others.
See, I’m not the only one who’s been traumatized by clowns!
Syngenesophobia- Fear of relatives. (If you knew my relatives, you’d have the same phobia 
Testophobia- Fear of taking tests.
I think I’ve left you with enough insight into what makes me tick and tock. This is only a mere taste of how darn messed up I am (which I KNOW stems from being “forced” to watch “Bozo!).
I’d love to know your phobias and if you want to see if they’re listed, you can check for it here The Phobia List.
I actually feel braver and well, a little “less” neurotic and just to show you my progress, I’m going to share a video of my favorite clown “Bozo.” Take that Bozo!
© 2011, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.
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Dammit, W, you are NOT “messed up”! You are a perfectly admirable soul, quite worthy of love and respect, who is trying to cope with a brain chemistry imbalance or six or eight. Add the nutball-masquerading-as-normal family from hell into the mix, and that’s a huge load for one personality to carry. Huge! Kindly get off your own case, eh?
Huff. Huff. Okay, rant over.
Can I just say how impressed I am that in the middle of your own pain, you take the time to find and share with us a lovely reference, and your fantastic sense of humor? Good work. Pray continue, but only, please, when you have gotten off your own case. The alternative is that I will get on your case to get off your case.
Brightest blessings and an absence of clowns be upon thee. There really was nothing funny about Bozo.
Oh my goodness… WHY DID YOU POST PENNYWISE?? *weeps* I’m also clown-a-phobic, I’ve hated them since I was a girl and was treated to IT and Killer Clowns From Outer Space. Try watching clowns suck people out of cocoons using straws and still liking them.. not gonna happen. Ick.
As for my other phobias: falling down, heights, snakes, spiders, surgery and enclosed spaces.
Umm … I think I might be suffering from side effects (AKA “Need for rectal craniotomy”) of my “Dammit Jim” pills. Apologies.
Seriously, though: what would happen if you assumed that there was really nothing wrong with you – maybe not to the point of ignoring a need for meds, but certainly thinking that no fundamental flaws exist? Because in your soul, they do not. The body might not work quite right – mine sure doesn’t! – but the soul is always perfect.
As are you.
I know I have one phobia- acrophobia- fear of heights. I’m okay to a certain height, then I get all dizzy and this overwhelming panicky feeling comes over me. I’m fine in enclosed spaces like airplanes (I love the window seat) but the edge of something like a mountain or being in one of those ski lift kinda things is almost terrifying.
I’m not afraid of but still think the ice cream man is creepy.. what message are we sending to kids that a stranger in a white truck who plays christmas carols in July and hands out treats is someone to run to? *shudder*..lol
Great post, Wendy!
Clowns ARE scary. I think most children feel at least a little uncomfortable around them. To be honest it’s a natural reaction to be afraid of someone whose real face is disguised. For many years as a kid I was afraid to open the door on Halloween for just that reason.
I’m gonna tell you the same thing I tell Ry, his daddy made him afraid of so very many things….on purpose…bastard, being afraid happens when we don’t have all the information we need about something or when someone else has used something to hurt us. Hold my hand and I will help you not be afraid because the Goddess and I love you and want the best for you always.
It’s true, I do and so does she…..stick your tongue out at the clowns, (Shelley hates um too) and reach your hand out and grab ahold of all of us who love you darling girl. And hold on. I must do the same thing everyday just to make it outta bed and on my way.
You aren’t alone. You are loved and so am I. Lucky us huh?
Focus on the good stuff or visualize the clowns meeting their demise at the hands of tapdancing bedbugs…..love you. Oma Linda
I just realized how creepy Bozo really was! *shutters*
~Naila Moon
Hi, having Asperger’s usually goes together with having some phobias too. There are a few you mention that are really familiar ; )
I don’t have a clown phobia however. That is something really big in The States I think. Here in The Netherlands we don’t have it that much. We didn’t have Bozo on tv, maybe we were spared that way ; )
Have a magical weekend and a great Lammas / Lughnasadh.
Oh dearest Wendy! I can SOOOO relate!!!! Now clowns don’t bother me – but spiders do. ANY spider! I shriek in fear and I run! I don’t even like seeing PHOTOS of spiders!!!! I also do not like enclosed spaces like elevators or airplanes (I refuse to go on them – even if it means missing out on fabulous trips). I have many phobias, but those are the two biggies.
I’ve almost finished reading ‘Supernatural’ by Graham Hancock. There’s an interesting part of the book where he talks about images frequently seen on Shamanic journeys…. one of them is clowns. So perhaps there’s a deep rooted fear of clowns in all of us – I know they creep me out.
I think I share most of the phobias with you. And, depending on what book is spooking me at the time, I’m a little afraid of aliens.
Either I am as “messed up” as you are or you are as “sane” as I am…How about we meet in the middle my friend? here are a few of mine from your list…starting with the obvious:
Agateophobia or Dementophobia- Fear of insanity (either I am or I will be insane)
Dystychiphobia- Fear of accidents (or more correctly–someone I love getting hurt)
Odontophobia- Fear of teeth or dental surgery (or more accurately–fear of losing my teeth)
Social Phobia- Fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations.
I also am afraid of any sharp cutting object )in someone else’s possession) and get this…steel wool.
Feel any better? lol
Wendy, if you thought your list of phobias was bad….take a look at mine:
Achluophobia- fear of darkness
Apeirophobia- fear of infinity
Atychiphobia- Fear of failure.
Bathophobia- Fear of depth
Claustrophobia- Fear of confined spaces.
Decidophobia- Fear of making decisions
Gerascophobia- Fear of growing old.
Katsaridaphobia- Fear of cockroaches
Oneirophobia- Fear of dreams
Pediophobia- Fear of dolls
Peniaphobia- Fear of poverty
Somniphobia- Fear of sleep
Taphophobia- Fear of being buried alive
Probably the most serious of all of these is the fear of poverty, sleep, darkness, depth and infinity…yeah I’m pretty messed up
Oh Stephi, I think most people have so many phobias and aren’t willing to look at them all and know why they exist. I remember one of my fave. posts you wrote about your own definitions of phobias esp. concerning other people and I STILL laugh when I think of it. Thank you for sharing your phobias and I don’t think you’re so “messed up” ; ) just very sensitive and aware.
I have about a million phobias. The worst of which are my fears of the dark, losing loved ones (death or otherwise), getting or being lost, public speaking, almost all creepy crawlies (spiders top the list), and overhearing other people have sex (don’t even ask LOL).
You are definitely not a freak. And if you are, I guess that makes me a freak, too!