-
1
Butterflies
Mottephobia - Fear/dislike of butterflies and/or moths.
Yeah... So, I used to be afraid of butterflies... It was trauma stemming from seeing close-ups of their monstrous little faces on nature shows and documentaries. I'm better now, thanks.
-
-
2
Cats
Ailurophobia, Felinophobia, Elurophobia, Galeophobia - Fear of cats.
Picture this: A kid under the age of 5 playing in her grandparents' yard. Gets access to the family cat. Doesn't know that you NEVER try to make a cat play. Tries to make the cat play. Get tagged by the cat with all claws. Little kid screams in shock, terror and pain. Grandpa runs outside and literally punt kicks the cat over the fence.
Anyway, I did a lot of learning about and have had a lot of exposure to many cats over the years. I've also lived and cared for them.
Take-Away Knowledge: As long as you don't **** with the cat, no one has to get hurt.
-
3
Monsters
Teratophobia - Fear of bearing a deformed child or fear of monsters or deformed people.
It turns out that, "normal-looking" people are FAR more likely to harm you (i.e., Ted Bundy), more frightening in unexpected ways, and potentially hazardous to your health. They are also harder to repel; they aren't afraid of crosses/crucifixes, if it they don't like garlic, chances are they won't flee from the odor, and even a universal fear of fire would only hold off a psychopath for so long.
-
-
4
Spontaneous Human Combustion
Pyrophobia/Arsonphobia - Fear of fire.
The older you get, the more you perspire (sweat). So, a lot of middle-aged and old people are always moist somewhere on their body (I know, not the most savory of thoughts). Plus, turns out that human beings are almost 80% water.
The Take-Away: Even with a ton of accelerant (chemical the "accelerates" or "hastens" a fire), chances of severe damage from fire are more likely than literally "bursting into flames".
-
5
Nuns (Catholic)
Christianophobia - Fear/dislike of Christians. Gynophobia – Fear of women. Theophobia - Fear of gods or religion.
Unless they're "packing heat" and I've pissed them off, I'll probably be okay. Catholic school was only preparation for "real life".
-
6
My Parents
Syngenesophobia - Fear of relatives. Novercaphobia - Fear of your step-mother.
Dealing with parents from an adult perspective is more likely to sadden, frustrate, anger or amuse you than anything that they could possibly do to you. Although, there are specific cases where the adult kids start something and get shot (i.e., singer Marvin Gaye).
-
7
The Dark
Nyctophobia - Fear of the Dark.
This is one of the most common phobias in children. It generally passes as one matures. However, this same phobia in older children and adults can be crippling.
Solution: Maglights, baseball bat, locked doors/windows, above-average locks, and a big, territorial dog (see Entry No. 1, Dogs).
:-)
-
8
Graveyards/Cemetaries
Coimetrophobia - Fear of cemeteries. Taphophobia/Taphephobia – Fear of the grave, or fear of being placed in a grave while still alive. Necrophobia - Fear of death or or dead things. Spectrophobia – Fear of ghost and phantoms.
Spent lots of quality time hanging out in graveyards and cemetaries. Turns out, most other people are so superstitious, and just plain spooked that they avoid them. Thus, leaving me and my misfit friends in peace and quiet. Way better than a run-of-the-mill city park!
-
9
Cynophobia - Fear of dogs or rabies.
Thanks to many hours watching shows (i.e., PBS, The Dog Whisperer, It's Me Or The Dog, etc.), reading books ('Animals Make Us Human', 'Animals In Translation', etc.), reading web pages about, and watching other people deal with dogs poorly. I have figured out the right and wrong way for me to approach a dog (if at all); how dogs communicate i.e., growling, barking, urinating on things, etc.), and most importantly, living with and caring for my own dogs. I'm no expert, but I feel more comfortable around them than other humans at times.
BTW, this is my actual pooch. Isn't he magnificent?
-
10
Turning 40
Gerascophobia - Persistent fear of growing old or aging. Rhytiphobia - Fear of getting wrinkles.
Plain and simple: Now that I've done it, I barely feel a thing.
-
11
Spiders
Arachnophobia - Fear of spiders.
While it's good to have a healthy respect for things that can cause severe physical harm, or worse. Without being educated about a subject, one is at the mercy of unreasonable fears. Here are some important facts about spiders:
1. Spiders are NOT insects. Insects have three body parts and six legs. Spiders have eight legs and two body parts, the abdomen and the thorax. So, are members of the Arachnid family; which also includes crabs, scorpions and even ticks.
2. Spiders rarely bite people (unless provoked). Almost all spiders carry venom, but its purpose is to stun or kill their insect prey, not to attack humans. Of the known spider species, only about 25 are thought to have venom that has an effect on humans.
3. You have more to fear from LITTLE spiders than BIG ones (like taratulas). The Brown Recluse Spider at only 5/8""; produces a painful bite that can produce an open ulcerating (or decaying) wound. This is because of the ""dissolving"" effect of it's venom. Good-sized areas of flesh, fingers, toes, etc., can be lost if untreated.
* I've had a female Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantula for over 13 years. (The females can live up to 25 years!)
Her body measures about 3 1/2"". Add another 2 1/2"" for each extended leg.
She has never bitten anyone that has ""handled"" her, or even flicked the urticating hairs on the top of her abdomen in aggresion. When feeling threatened, she literally rears up on her hind legs (like bears do). This gives anyone plenty of warning to let her be!
AND LAST, BUT IN NO WAY, LEAST:
4. If there were no spiders, THE EARTH WOULD BE OVERRUN WITH INSECTS! Spiders eat more insects than birds and bats (combined) eat (that's about 2,000 insects a year, per spider). So they should be considered another of human's best friends. They play a big role in controlling insect populations.
Post a Comment