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Author Topic: Getting rid of a phobia.  (Read 2159 times)

Dredonius

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Getting rid of a phobia.
« on: October 18, 2012, 08:34:28 pm »
I have a phobia of leeches. I think they are the creepiest, most disgusting creature on earth. But, this phobia has not allowed me to have experiences that would be amazing, and I am developing a fear of ponds, lakes, and streams because of it.

How do I get rid of this phobia?
Can I get rid of it?
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Neonivek

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2012, 08:36:56 pm »
I only know one experiement for Phobia killing.

You take leeches and you put them as near to you as possible without you needing to leave.

Then you eat some delicious food.

Next time put them a bit closer... and closer... and closer. Until you can eat that delicious food with them on your lap

I don't think that will work >_<... but it at least is supposed to due to "possitive association"
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NAV

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2012, 11:11:38 pm »
I had this friend who was terrified of spiders. One time we (four teenage guys) were staying in a hotel room together. There was a spider in the
washroom, so we barricaded him in there until he killed it.

He is no longer scared of spiders. Interpret this however you want.
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kaijyuu

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2012, 11:20:46 pm »
From what I've disseminated from pop culture and the like, the first part of removing a phobia is realizing it's irrational. Realize you're being unnecessarily afraid. Once you realize the fear is stupid and overblown, you'll have an easier time overcoming it. It will still take effort to overcome, though.
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Leatra

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2012, 05:26:58 am »
Quote from: NAV on October 18, 2012, 11:11:38 pm
I had this friend who was terrified of spiders. One time we (four teenage guys) were staying in a hotel room together. There was a spider in the
washroom, so we barricaded him in there until he killed it.

He is no longer scared of spiders. Interpret this however you want.

That's a great way to get rid of phobias. It seems like a little extreme but it cuts the phobia from it's root.

You have to force yourself to overcome your phobia.
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GlyphGryph

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2012, 10:20:53 am »
Though such situations can fail pretty much absolutely by making it worse if you don't overcome it.

Gradual acclimatization coupled with positive association is, from what I understand, the best way.

In other words, go get yourself a pet leech. ^_^
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Caz

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2012, 02:05:00 pm »
Quote from: GlyphGryph on October 19, 2012, 10:20:53 am

Gradual acclimatization coupled with positive association is, from what I understand, the best way.

In other words, go get yourself a pet leech. ^_^

Yup. You could also try watching some youtube vids of lakes and streams, working up to vids of actual leeches until you're not afraid, along with eating at least a pound of gummy worms. Mmm, gummy worms.
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Glowcat

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2012, 02:19:31 pm »
You might never get rid of a phobia, but that's okay. If it's a significant problem in your life you could take steps to control the fear by .. what GlyphGryph said is the best answer I think. Or consult an actual psychologist who might be more educated in these things than random people who reply on a forum.
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GlyphGryph

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2012, 03:42:49 pm »
Yeah... there's the risk of building /negative/ associations with whatever you're using to bypass the phobia, too.

So that's something to be careful of.

There are professional methodologies for dealing with the that should at least get you from "petrified" to "slightly bothered".
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Levi

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2012, 04:40:53 pm »
If it makes you feel better, I once had like 8 leeches attached to my legs at a time.  I just pulled them off and it was fine.  So um, there is a small amount of proof that leeches are harmless.
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Leatra

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #10 on: October 19, 2012, 05:10:43 pm »
By the way, leeches can be used for medical purposes too.
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Ghazkull

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2012, 12:19:36 pm »
From personal experience i'd say get in a situation where you are confronted with your fear and you have no way to escape, your only way being to deal with it. That's at least the way i did it (or had to do it...)
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SealyStar

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #12 on: October 25, 2012, 03:36:02 pm »
I'd assume just follow the general phobia-ridding steps...

But I guess I just can't see the problem with being deathly afraid of bloodsucking aquatic parasites...

I have a phobia of insects, spiders, leeches... the works. As a general rule, if it's less than two inches long and lacks a backbone, I'll be afraid of it. Honestly, it hasn't affected me all that much. But anyway, that means you shouldn't take my advice, I guess.

[The two-inch figure is just an approximation; I'm not afraid of lobsters, crabs, etc.; possibly because I can see them and avoid them easily.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2012, 03:41:53 pm by SealyStar »
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Grek

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Re: Getting rid of a phobia.
« Reply #13 on: October 25, 2012, 09:11:49 pm »
Strip down to the waist before walking out into a swamp. Locate thirteen bloated leeches and place then on a large flat stone. Recite a prayer to Chernobog before crushing the leeches with a sledge hammer. Trace the Laguz rune onto your chest with the blood of the leeches. Then go swim in peace, knowing that your blood sacrifice has given you mystical protection from your hated foe.
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