Have you ever had irrational fears?

Yes, I've had plenty of IFs. Some are catastrophic kinds. I got to the point where I say "STOP" in my mind. It has helped some but they still come on. They haven't turned into phobias...yet. I also worry a lot about many things. I heard that anxiety is behind these fears. I have started on a medicine to help with anxiety.
 

I don't want to rattle on and sound like a nut. A lot of my fears are good fears to have like fear of snakes (I live in Rattlesnake country.) and I've even been known to run from a few sticks on the ground that resembled snakes. I dislike all rodents but I think that's OK too.

You asked about irrational fears. One is I have a fear of smothering and that I won't be able to breath if I am contained anywhere. So I have to pay my dentist extra $ so he can put me to sleep so I can get dental work done.

I can't let the hairdresser tie that white thing around my throat to keep hair from falling down my back as I imagine I won't be able to breath. I make them tie the cape real loose too. I used to be afraid I'd jump up and run off in the middle of a hair cut but I've got that under control pretty well now. I have a cute (guy) hair dresser and I just tell myself I WANT to sit in this chair and not be able to get up till he's finished.

I also cured myself of flying by saying I was sitting in a recliner in my living room. (And taking a couple Xanax)

My biggest fear and the one most insane was being in an "End of The World" crazy church for about 30 years. Gave them close to a couple hundred thousand and finally wised up and got out after we did a poor job of raising 4 children in that crazy environment. Thank God all the kids left too. Been out since 1995 and wonder how we could have been so stupid as it was 95% fear based religion.

I am proud to say I am not afraid of spiders even though there are many black widows around our place.
 

Judycat said:
I don't think fear of the dentist is an irrational fear. I went to one who made me feel like an animal at the vet. I couldn't stand it and got out of there as quickly as possible. His filling didn't hold so I went to another guy. Wow, what a difference.
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You know, I was so naive...didn't realize there were good dentists and junky ones. Does anyone know of a good dental plan for seniors? I just use the I Dental discount one now. It does pay for itself in cleanings and x-rays annually. Saved about 200 bucks on a crown with it. Heard Physician's Mutual wasn't worth having.
 
@Linda you certainly did NOT do a poor job of raising your children! I've known you for awhile now, and what I see is a close family, decent, hardworking grown kids and much love. Please don't fear that church anymore...it's long over.

You've found your way through the hairdresser issue and a way though your dental fears. You're doing fine, imo! đź’“
 
RadishRose said:
For me, it's not so much the dentist, but pain the dentist causes. Yet, I've found that today's dentistry is much different than when I was younger Get a funny dentist, if you can laugh, it's miraculous how easy it becomes. Make that appointment, Grammie....before anything gets worse.
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@RadishRose I would LOVE to find a funny dentist! I am a huge fan of people with a sense of humor.

Really, that would be seriously helpful for me. I'm concerned though, as I think the problem I'm having should be included in fees that I've already paid. It might be worth the cost though. Is there a way to find a funny dentist? Word of mouth (sorry, this time pun is not intended) doesn't work for me, as I don't see a lot of people and live in a small town where there aren't many services. I have to go to the "big city" to get dental work done.

Thanks for the advice though. It's a very good idea.
 
Liberty said:
I've been told the fear of dentists comes from the unnatural state of having someone put their hands into your mouth, losing control and so forth. Evidently dentists know this and its part of their schooling to recognize this issue so they know how to seek to make the person comfortable and also don't just learn to think so many people hate them. It is a known condition and you are among a lot of people whether they tell you or not.

I had a root canal last year and on the form, it said "have you ever had a bad experience at a dentist". I told the endo guy, who had a wonderful bedside manner, that I'd never had a bad experience at a dentist until I saw his bill!
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Isn't it ridiculous what they cost? I remember when a root canal cost about $100, and now they're about a thousand. I think you are right about where the fears come from. I've given it a lot of thought, and I'm beginning to think that dentists who advertise that they"cater to cowards" as one dentist termed it, actually prey on cowards. My dentist was wonderful when I started going to him, but when I started going alone (I worked up my nerve, and got comfortable with him) he got meaner and meaner.

I realize it has to be hard to do a job where people dislike you so much. I've met one person in my whole life who actually enjoyed going to the dentist. (she liked the feeling after her teeth were cleaned) Maybe it is time for me to find someone new. The seem to get annoyed with me quickly, and I don't understand why. I don't cause problems, don't whine or get upset. I'm just upfront in telling them I don't like dental work. So I don't understand their reaction to me. I feel awful for them. To me, they are very scary, and I wouldn't want to be a scary person.
 
Judycat said:
I don't think fear of the dentist is an irrational fear. I went to one who made me feel like an animal at the vet. I couldn't stand it and got out of there as quickly as possible. His filling didn't hold so I went to another guy. Wow, what a difference.
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I think you are right. I always thought it was irrational when I couldn't get people to understand. I've even had my children to think it was funny, so yes, I felt like it was irrational. The attitude I've gotten about the work I've had done has caused me to put off the work I really need. And the attitude of the dentist...heck, he's hurt me. I wanna smack him.
 
I have come to be very aware of anyone in my field of vision, when I'm out and about, who looks the least bit "strange," to me. I am "prepared" to deal with any acts of violence that may enter into my world. Given the horrible state of affairs, in our world, today, I'm not so sure my feelings are irrational. They have changed, though, no doubt about it.
 

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