What phobia did you have that you conquered ?
552150
FEAR OF SPEAKING IN PUBLIC.  This was really bad - I was even afraid of interviews (that's only one person), so I guess I was afraid of strangers, especially a whole bunch of them in an audience.  Yes, I conquered it. How?  I tried just trying to relax, think of the audience as just some people similar to me (didn't work for me.)  I was a basket case, couldn't even SIT in class and take my turn reading something out loud. Tried a tranquilizer too.  You can't fool your defense mechanism, and after a couple of years I discovered that what I was afraid of was being nervous and obvious, like shaking head, hands, weak legs, hard to talk, so that made me nervous and therefore afraid.  I went to a seminar designed to bully you into ridding your fear.  Long story short, I joined a Toastmasters' Club, shook with nervousness the first time the Table Topics leader called on me to give an opinion on the day's topic, I was so embarrassed.  But I went to all the meetings, did my speaking assignments, and overall it worked great, took about a year to gain the confidence I needed.  Won some speech contests beyond the club setting, held office in the club, and even became president.  My phobia stemmed from childhood feelings of inadequacey, inferiority, being afraid whether my mother approved of what I did.  Well, we're adults now, and have to just go forward.  Yes, I'm sure I'm not still bugged by it, because I've had plenty of experience in not being afraid. But I know what you mean.  In the beginning even after successes, I'd always think, "What if I'm afraid again?"  I would think of my successes, no matter how big or small.  Then I decided, "Well, if I do, I'll just speak anyway, the nervousness will go away and not be noticeable."  I also learned that when extremely nervous, we try to hold ourselves stiff so as not to shake, especially the head and neck.  We don't breathe enough, and that makes it worse.  Long winded, aren't I?  Just wanted to help.
288364
Yes.  I have an irrational fear of snakes.  They terrify me.  I was in high school and in my science class, they had people from the zoo bring in animals.  They brought these snakes that are called worm snakes because they are no bigger than an earthworm.  Well, when they brought them out of their cage, I started to get a little uneasy.  My teacher noticed this and thought he would be helping me by seeing that there was nothing to be afraid of.  He went to put it in my hand and as soon as I touched it, I freaked out and ran out of the classroom.  I wound up having a panic attack because of it.  I highly doubt that I will ever get over fearing snakes.  There is just something about them that scares the living daylights out of me.
807114
Anything to cause fear, which makes people intimidated and easier to control.
380166
Honey, to answer this q we need to know what you are so scared of.
650259
When I was about 12 I was an EXTREMELY nervous kid and afraid of my own shadow. I was so meek and condescending that one time I was walking out of my bedroom, bumped into my dresser, turned around and said "Excuse me" to my dresser. To this day, I shake my head at that... But those days are OVER! Get the fcuk out of my way!
59465
I have two.\n\nThe only thing we have to fear is fear itself\n\nask not what your country can do for you but what you can for your country
850595
I was sitting in a dark room (I think it was my childhood home) with my head in my hands hearing bombs explode outside, knowing that I was going to die and waiting for a bomb to hit me. I could hear them getting closer...closer...\n\nI woke up really scared. Then I had the horrible realization that there are people in the world who are actually living that nightmare. (I'm not saying that to make some sort of statement; I really did have that dream)
53507
When I realized that I cannot control anyone
467990
Oh my gosh! I don't feel so alone now! Everyone of my friends thinks that it's so weird but it is terrifying to me. I don't understand why i have this fear but man, i'm scared to get pregnant because of this fear. I get shaky, hot-cold flashes, dizziness, sweaty, just plain horror. I don't wish this on anyone but i hope we both can get over it! Do you remember anything that could have triggered your phobia? I remember going on vacation when i was younger and my sister would always get sick in the back of the car; i think i felt trapped or something but i really want to end this terrible fear! I hope you don't feel alone, i'm here for you now! :)
468957
I was able to do it by pulling my butt onto an airplane.\n\nI lost my fear of heights when I was flying through the sky in a aluminum tube at 500 mph.  It's reallyt weird, but I've read about other people having the same results.
713019
Seriously I have been afraid of vampires since I was 4 or 5. Ever since I heard a story about Dracula. I sometimes have nightmares that I am being chased by vampires. I am 18 now.
1095648
Your phobia is rather understandable...that had to be very frightening.  I would start out by recognizing that the frog pit that you fell into had a bunch of frogs that were probably much more fearful than you were.  I can imagine that they were fearful for their lives, thinking that you were there to harm them.\n\nThat being said, obviously you meant them no harm.  But they didn't mean to harm you either.  Their jumping reflex was just a reaction to your falling into their "home". \n\nRealize that frogs have NO WAY of causing us physical pain.  There are frogs that secrete poison from their skins, but they are not used in any type of biology course.  So you can rest assured that they aren't going to bite, pinch, sting, and physically hurt you in any way.\n\nThe slimy feel of a frog is one of their survival needs.  It is imperative for a frog to keep their skin wet.  Without it, their skin can't "breathe".  So yeah, it feels icky...but again, it's just them trying to survive.\n\nMany times a frog with urinate, or pee, when they are scared.  (Like many frightened people.)  It's another fact that you may find disgusting, but it's because they are afraid.  When you think of this, you've got to understand that you are in the dominant role. \n\nOnce you've mentally gone over who's "Alpha" (you) and who's "Omega" (the frog), then you need to slowly work yourself into physical contact.\n\nIntroduction in the same room, where you can easily exit if you're uncomfortable, it key.  See if you can find someone that has a tame frog, otherwise use a frog that has been sedated or held to avoid jumping.\n\nThe goal is to take "baby steps", until you can touch a frog.  The more you do this, the more comfortable you will become with them.  Eventually, it would be good it you can attempt to "catch" one that is jumping around in its aquarium.\n\nSo take your time, don't be upset if it takes MANY occasions to get comfortable with the action.  Your fears are deep seated and over-coming them make take time for you.  It's important to KEEP TRYING, keep working at doing just a little more with a frog each day.\n\nOne day your fears will be conquered, and in the end, your frog will be slain.  (In the name of Science!)  And your feeling of accomplishment will replace the fear that resides in your now.\n\nFootnote:  Don't get a Pac-Man frog.  They do have teeth, and are not friendly at all.  I would suggest getting either a bullfrog (easy to find), or even better, a Green Frog.  They're large like a bullfrog, but they have mellow dispositions and don't startle if touched.\n\nGood luck!  I'm sure you'll do fine.\n\nAngela
493892
Dear Lord I am scared of spiders and ticks.  I had a cousin that got Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from a tick bite when I was little.  I've been scared of anything with a bunch of legs that looks spider like since then.  I couldn't get in the shower the other day because a spider was in it.  I was late to work because I couldn't get it to wash down the drain.  Sad, but true.
722291
This is a strange and scary question. What did you do?
470686
I was unusually afraid of feet.  Anytime anyone put their feet close to me, I would start to have an anxiety attack.  I would shriek, breath rapidly, beads of sweat would form on my brow and nose.  I was also deathly afraid to let anyone touch my feet, socked or not.  It was so peculiar. \n\nI was determined to banish this foot phobia from my life.  It upset me that I catch snakes, touch spiders, jump out of airplanes, just about anything, but I was afraid of feet.  I forced myself to gradually allow people to touch my feet. I started to get pedicures, and I became more comfortable with my own feet.  Eventually, I SLOWLY began to touch other peoples feet. At first it was feet with socks only, I would shiver and shake--it was ridiculous.  I worked my way up to (clean) feet (I would only touch them or allow them to be near me if they had just come out of the shower or pool.  \n\nFor the most part, I am cured of my foot phobia.  Sometimes, I still jump if feet are unexpectedly near me.\nGod has a sense of Humor.  My husband has the grossest feet that I have ever witnessed.  They frighten me, but that has nothing to do with my phobia.  \n\nHowever, my daughter (10 months) has the cutest feet ever.  I actually nibble on them.  She thinks it is hilarious...so do I.
703209
Ohhhhh, man.  That is so hard on you.  I have anxiety about that myself but I have learned to overcome it.  Just tell yourself there is nothing to fear (doesn't always work).  My phobia about it simply involves the fact that I feel I cannot breathe because there will be no oxygen.  That is untrue, but that is how I feel.  \nAvoid any closed rooms that do not have a window.  Movie theaters are very difficult.  I have a phobia about catching a cold when I am in a movie theater, so I usually don't go.    \n\nPlease go to a licensed psychologist who can help you overcome this problem.    Best wishes to you.  I am glad you don't have agoraphobia. My friend had that and the doctor put her on medication and made her go to places she was afraid of.  Now she can go anywhere.
1035765
I am not afraid of them, but I do feel intimidated by them - I don't know why this is.\n\nI have discussed it with my friends and they all share my view.