Phobia Support Group
A phobia (from the Greek "fear"), is a strong, persistent fear of situations, objects, activities, or persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. When the fear is beyond one's control, or if the fear is interfering with daily life, then a diagnosis under one of the anxiety disorders can be made.
I have a phobia about moving away and change. I've been like this for as long as I can remember. Most everyone in my family is the same way, so maybe it is partly genetic. I did move away and went to college right after high school. The college was around 60 miles from where I lived and I would go home most weekends and I was very depressed while I was there. Maybe that has had an effect on how I feel now.
The problem is that when I was married, my wife always wanted to move to a bigger city for more/better schooling and employment opportunities, which is fine. I was always too afraid to leave my comfort zone and try and it led to a wrecked marriage. I wish I didn't have this kind of phobia because it has already caused disaster in my marriage and it holds me back from being a successful, happy person.
Has anyone else ever dealt with a phobia like this and can you help me out? I'm so frustrated. Thanks.
The problem is that when I was married, my wife always wanted to move to a bigger city for more/better schooling and employment opportunities, which is fine. I was always too afraid to leave my comfort zone and try and it led to a wrecked marriage. I wish I didn't have this kind of phobia because it has already caused disaster in my marriage and it holds me back from being a successful, happy person.
Has anyone else ever dealt with a phobia like this and can you help me out? I'm so frustrated. Thanks.
Sorry I don't have any advice, but you're definitely not alone:)
i have a fear of travelling amoungst other things, my partner lives 140 miles away, and i have lived there for stints of time and then come back home because i struggled, it's tiring trying to figure it out and what to do for the best, i'm supposed to be going back there soon and i keep procrastinating about doing it, its so frustrating because i feel like i'm missing out on so many good things and instead i sit here worrying and getting stressed, I spend too much time thinking about things and not enough time doing things to occupy my mind,
I worry about other people thinking i'm wierd because i can't do things that people do on a daily basis and take for granted because my phobia holds me back. for instance i dont like big shops, i will only travel so far from home, especially on my own, so while all my family and friends are swanning off to the seaside, going for nights out, going on holidays, and just generally doing fun things, i'm stuck at home feeling sad and alone, but life carries on around us, i suppose the bottom line is other people can only help so much, the rest of it is down to ourselves which is a scary thought but true nontheless, perhaps you could see about getting some counselling if you haven't already tried that route? just don't beat yourself up over it, because that just makes you feel worse about yourself, its all about baby steps, one day at a time :0) hopefully one day something will just click and you'll think right i'm fed up of feeling like this, i'm gonna give somethimg new a try, easier said than done i know. Just know that you're not alone with your fears and there are so many people dealing with the same feelings as yourself, and its good that you're asking for help. i wish you all the best :0)
You're right, others can help (like counselors and such), but I think most of it comes down to ourselves too. I wish I could overcome this fear/phobia. It has done so much damage to my life already and still holds me back so much.
Only advice I can give is try small changes and moves, to show yourself the world won't end, and neither will you:) And every good therapist I've ever known has come right out and said, that we make ourselves better, they just help, so Sugarpink's got that right!
I was like my mom and family about moving/relocating, big changes, then I got epilepsy and realized the only thing I can control or change is *my reactions* to life, so the rest I just have to accept and let flow. Dunno if that helps or encourages, but it's the best I've got on a Monday morning!
Hugs,
Leo
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