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Posted: 30-05-2013 09:43 Post subject:

I think a fear of falling is completely rational. If you agree then don't click the link to this photo gallery...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/10086387/The-great-walkway-of-China-daredevil-tourists-traverse-vertigo-inducing-footpath.html#?frame=2575663

I said DON'T click it...

Posted: 30-05-2013 11:45 Post subject:

Gah!!!!

Posted: 30-05-2013 12:14 Post subject:

I could just about bear to view those pictures. I tend to agree that fear of heights is quite rational.

Much closer to home is the instrument of torture which has appeared this year in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens. For six pounds, you can endure a chairoplane ride that climbs to 270 feet.

They say that elsewhere in Europe are similar rides that go to 400 feet!

It is called the Star Flyer and I find the Youtube videos impoossible to watch for the length of the experience, which is only five minutes. I think if I was up there, I'd be painting the town brown!

Several virtual rides are available for free on Youtube Shocked

edit: I see that Stockholm has the biggest, which is 121 metres high!

Do I dare watch this one?

edit2: "meters" is US spelling!

Posted: 30-05-2013 13:20 Post subject:

Posted: 30-05-2013 13:28 Post subject:

That makes my knees go fizzy with fear.

ETA: my own irrational fear is there being a moth in the bathroom when I'm in the bath. In case it flies over to me and sticks on my wet skin. Shocked

Posted: 30-05-2013 13:33 Post subject:

I've got a few common ones but one thats a bit odd and getting worse with age, is eating outside. Say at a bbq, i can watch the meat or whatever being cooked outside but i have to go inside to eat. The idea of eating outside makes me hands numb with fear at the thought of the dirt/germs. Silly isn't it!

Posted: 30-05-2013 13:37 Post subject:

It's not silly, cherrybomb, but it's a shame - given that food seems to taste better outdoors. Wink

How are you with drinks outside?

Posted: 30-05-2013 14:43 Post subject:

I'm ok with drinks, its just food. This is how stupid it is:

A few years ago I was helping my sister with her horses at Royal Cornwall Show, we set up and she went and got me a bacon roll. Becuase we were outside - and therefore I couldn't eat it - I went and stood inside the back of the horse box, which was much dirtier than if I'd stood where I was in the open field!! Embarassed

I used to be fine with it, but as I've got older I cant deal with it. Even writing this has made me need to use hand sanitiser Sad

Posted: 30-05-2013 15:15 Post subject:

I have a phobia of torn paper and cardboard, especially if it's wet. And barcodes; I despise barcodes with a passion, they make me feel quite nauseated.

Torn packages with barcodes lying on pavements make life very difficult Confused

Posted: 30-05-2013 16:31 Post subject:

Cotton wool.

Makes me teeth go funny - and, no I don't chew it.

Posted: 30-05-2013 19:39 Post subject:

I think my only fears are a fear of dogs - which I think is a quite rational fear - and fear of certain types of human - again, I think this is completely rational.

Evil-looking humans with evil-looking dogs - yep, I steer clear.

Posted: 30-05-2013 19:50 Post subject:

I know someone whose wife has a phobia about Elvis impersonators. She's got no problems with the real thing but is terrified of impersonators.

Posted: 30-05-2013 23:34 Post subject:

Wow, some really twisted people here! Laughing

A fear of heights is rational to an extent, but not in the way I have it. If I'm within 5 or 6 feet of a cliff edge, or if I'm in a vehicle going over a high bridge, I have this completely irrational terror that I'm going to be swept over the edge by some force. I get disoriented and have a hard time being sure whether the ground under my feet is level.

The thing is, I'm drawn to climbing mountains and to hiking canyons, places where there will be a sharp drop-off and I can see for miles. And I often end up berating myself for putting myself in a terrifying situation.

Posted: 31-05-2013 01:10 Post subject:

Posted: 31-05-2013 07:51 Post subject:

Abandoned boats/ships. I can now just about look at pictures of them - I'm trying to desensitise myself - but I still wouldn't go near one much less on or in one. It's a real shuddering loathing, not a mild dislike. It follows that the hobby I'd be least likely to take up is wreck diving.

In general, I prefer to have my feet firmly in contact with the ground - I've never learned to swim, also I don't like high buildings or flying. I can cope if I have to deal with either, though I doubt I would take a job in a high building or live in a block of flats. I did work for several years on the sixth floor of a building and started getting dreams in which the floor sloped down at the edge and it was impossible to prevent oneself sliding off...