Comments on: Phobia Names: Why Can’t We Just Agree?

By: karen

karen — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:56:55 +0000

I loved this! I have a portion of my blog title “the Panic Room.” I try to update with my own experiences as well as scientific studies. I happen to be exploring a bit about agoraphobia as it relates to panic disorder. Indeed the definition of being agoraphobic is the fear you might have a panic attack in an area where it would be embarrassing, escape cannot occur, or help is not available. I am definitely a phobiaphobic. I found it amusing!!By the way–the cartoon depicts me on any given day–I also work for the government! Maybe that is the real problem!

By: ILIKEPIE

ILIKEPIE — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:16:12 +0000

HI I LIKE PIE HEEHEEHEE

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:05:52 +0000

"It’s interesting to look at a list such as the Phobia List and wonder if somebody really has that fear, or are they just coining words." I've wondered that myself with the phobia names and the names for groups of animals. When I was in school a teacher read us a book called something like "An Exclamation of Larks" with all the names for groups of animals and it really caught my fancy. Thanks for bringing back that nice memory! Tracy’s last blog post..I am Learning the Social Web Media Networking 2.0

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:29:12 +0000

D, thanks for dropping by, and thanks for commenting!

Yes, labels stigmatize. I had not thought about the stigmatizing effects phobia labels have, but you’re right, they do. Even an attempt at humor, such as this post, serves to stigmatize others to at least some extent.

I have strong feelings about the stigma of mental illness, as witnessed by the several posts I’ve written about it. It’s a sign of the deeply embedded culture in all of us that I can joke about phobias, which plague many, many people worldwide.

I’ve learned my lesson, and will not be flippant about phobias again! Thank you for helping me to realize the effects of phobia names.

By: D

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:34:12 +0000

I think these specific phobia names are throwbacks to the days when all quirks of mental illness were labeled (and used to identify people). The terms are stigmatizing. The media likes to use them to describe people, but the labels are too simplistic. Just my thoughts at least :)http://iamlivingwithanxiety.blogspot.com/

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:01:04 +0000

Hi, Jim! Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I’m really glad you enjoyed the article — I enjoyed writing it!

One of the defining characteristics of phobias is that we recognize that the fear is excessive or unreasonable. I know that roaches are way smaller than me and could in no way hurt me, even if a 100 were crawling on me. But even the though of one crawling in my hair, much less 100, gives me the shivers!

We humans are just big bundles of little fears and apprehensions. Most of them are illogical and unreasonable, but we can’t seem to reason our way out of them. It’s these little fears that drain life of its joy and spontaneity. Just think what life could be like without them!

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:51:53 +0000

Hi Mike, I really enjoyed reading this article. I learned a lot. :-) I would say I'm very close to arachnophobia. I find myself pretty freaked our of a lot of bugs in general.Usually things with many legs. If it's furry, I'm good and I could deal with snakes but for some reason bugs really get to me. It's stupid to me too because I know I'm huge compared to them but I still get creeped out. Jim Jim’s last blog post..3 Fake Game Shows Cooler Than ‘Deal Or No Deal’

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:09:20 +0000

Hi, Kim!
I don’t like rats either, but both my son and daughter had pet rats for a while and I got used to looking at them, but I would never touch them. Something about their hairless tails is repulsive to me. And I keep thinking about the Black Death.

I really like the WP-Twitip-ID plugin. It’s simple to install and just works. It’s still in beta at this moment, but I don’t know what he could do to make it better! He has a stock birdie that’s cute, but I changed it to match my Twitter subscribe at the top. Let me know if you want to use mine.

By: Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development

Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 01:00:38 +0000

I don't like rats but I don't really have a phobia of anything. I would deal with it if I had too. I really like the Twitter plugin and am thinking of adding to my site. And I think it's good to have a not so serious article once in awhile. Kim Woodbridge | (Anti) Social Development’s last blog post..Google Page Rank - A Sudden 3 Point Drop!!!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:44:40 +0000

The Social Reformer – Thank you for visiting and thank you for the comment. I’m glad you like this article. I’m always hesitant to post a humorous article when there is so much serious information waiting to be covered. But I think it’s good to lighten up every once in a while.