Hellobee Boards

I hate to fly. I had a panic attack on a plane four or five years ago (even with Rx meds to help), and now I'll do basically anything to avoid having to fly. I've spent $100s on self-help DVDs and books, but I still hate it. I spent two days driving to Atlanta with my mom over April break because I didn't want to fly, and I'm skipping a wedding this summer because I don't want to fly. Ugh.

I used to have a crippling phobia of public speaking. Managed to conquer it, but it's still not easy for me to give speeches!

I have Amaxophobia! Fear of riding in cars. I also am afraid of riding in buses for long trips. It's great that I live in NYC because I can avoid cars. My phobia has gotten better and I'm trying to slowly get over it--we got Zip Car--but we've barely used it because I'm afraid of road trippin'. And I'm afraid to let my LO get into cars.

I also have acrophobia (fear of heights) and going to London and taking the tube was one of the worst experiences of my life! Too many high escalators. This fear means that I hate to fly, but I'd rather fly than get into a car.

I still travel and get in cars, but I have fear and anxiety the whole way. I've tried sleeping pills and Xanax but ultimately what has been working is meditation.

@mrbee: Thanks. I'm going to look into it. I'd love to get over this.

I have a fear of driving. I've only ever lived long term in places that are walkable with a fair amount of public transportation, so I've lucked out.

I was terrified of the dentist and didn't go for 8 years I finally (with meds) tackled it and now I'm not so afraid. I go twice a year and have even had a cavity filled! I'm really proud of myself for facing that fear. I didn't want LO to have the same phobia.

I have a fear of rodents (mice, rats, squirrels, etc...). Normally it's not that big of deal, but I have inconvenienced myself (and others) in the past to avoid possible interactions. For example, I refused to use the subway on a recent trip to NYC because I heard there's a lot of rats down there. We just walked everywhere or took taxis, instead. I was also very worried about Central Park, but luckily I didn't see any rats during my (brief) visit. Whew!

I am terrified of helium-filled balloons. I know it sounds so stupid, but i am always scared theyre going to pop, i get so startled by the noise, and i also have this fear that balloon shrapnel will go flying everywhere and hit me in the face and/or eyes! I get so annoyed when stores give balloons to kids and the kids then run around the store, because all i can focus on is staying as far away from the kid as possible.

Mine is kind of morbid... in the literal since.

I have a crippling, paralyzing fear that my DH will die and leave me alone, uneducated with a baby to provide for. It is such a real fear that my husband increased his life insurance plan to the highest it can possibly go - which isn't much, but it would be enough for me to figure out what to do. I seriously have dreams about this at least weekly, even daydreams. I think about it all the time. It is so awful. Everytime he gets in the car I send up a little prayer for him for his safety.
I feel like I wouldn't be able to live without DH. I love him so much. And now the thought of being a single mom is too much for me.

@anonysquire: haha! i feel like i would do the SAME EXACT thing if i were you on that cruise! at least you know where yours comes from...your poor sister, but that must have been awwwfulll for you too

ok so i'll share a story...i never used to be scared of flying, but husband and i took a flight back from aruba a few years ago and it was really really turbulent because of a gigantic storm in the northeast. the woman right behind me threw up for an hour straight on our landing, and i was basically sitting in a ball with my fingers in my ears so i didn't have to hear her vomiting behind me. i was shaking when i got off the plane, not because i was scared we were going to die, but because of the woman behind me! omg. i feel embarrassed about telling this story. anyway, now, i've become a nervous flyer!