A student describes fear of failure, pressure around exams, and perfectionism that makes ordinary mistakes feel overwhelming. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account Since joining high school and thinking about what I want to do with my … [Read more...]
Reader Stories
Read personal accounts of living with fears and phobias, shared by FEAROF readers. Each story reflects one person’s experience and may use informal or self-described labels.
These accounts are not diagnoses or treatment advice. For explanations of symptoms and care options, explore our phobia directory and treatment guide.
Severe Apiphobia. The “Why” is the easy part, but I can’t figure out the “How”
This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability and privacy. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. When I was about 7 years old, my dad and I were spending the day together and having a great time without anything particularly interesting going on besides me getting to retrieve his golf balls with a … [Read more...]
Arithmophobia or dyscalculia?
An adult reader describes long-standing difficulty with maths, upsetting school experiences, and anxiety around budgeting. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account For as long as I can remember I have avoided having to perform … [Read more...]
The fear that ruins my life – ticks
A reader describes eczema, fear of insects and ticks, and distress after a family outing. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account Reading about phobias and what happens during a break down isn't something I'm extremely proud of. It's … [Read more...]
Always worrying and fear of failure
A student describes persistent worry about friendships, achievement, and the need to be perfect. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account I'm always worrying, it's what I do best. I guess it started last year when I actually started … [Read more...]
Fear of the Brain
A teenager describes intense physical distress when studying or thinking about the brain and asks how to understand it. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account I'm Zee, I'm almost 17 years old, and I'm terrified of the brain. Talking … [Read more...]
All Alone
A reader describes a reported assault, pregnancy loss, lasting isolation, and hopelessness. The edited account contains references to violence and grief. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account In 2000, I went to a neighbour’s door to … [Read more...]
One Word: Spiders
This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability and privacy. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. Well, I wasn't really afraid of anything until this point of my life. Well of course it started off as a beautiful spring (I didn't have allergies back then) morning. Sun was shining, birds were chirping you … [Read more...]
One fear for another
A student describes becoming more comfortable studying anatomy while developing stronger worries about illness. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account Hi, I am 18 years old and I have Nosophobia, but it wasn't always like that. When I … [Read more...]
Fearing Love
This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability and privacy. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. I was 16 when I wrote this, and it had occurred to me several times that I might be afraid of love. I'm scared i'm gonna love someone and that they're never gonna love me back. I had only been in two serious … [Read more...]
My Life with Panophobia
A reader describes a childhood road collision and the way they connect it with later expectations that something bad will happen. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account I go around every day looking at everything and mentally see hell … [Read more...]
Achievemephobia is ubiquitous
This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability and privacy. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. After developing an approach that we believed could address organisational dysfunction, we found that the same people who complained about workplace abuse wanted nothing to do with a fix. We don't know why that … [Read more...]
Winter Flu Phobia
A reader describes recurring fear of vomiting illness, uncertainty about infection, and the effect on relationships and daily activities. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account My phobia shows up every year between November and April. I … [Read more...]
I am horrified of needles
This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability and privacy. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. My fear of needles has not improved over the years. Even images give me goosebumps, and seeing a syringe can make me panic. It started when I was eight. I did not fear shots they did not bother me at all but … [Read more...]
Bugs, bugs, bugs – did I mention BUGS?
A reader describes distress about recurring insects at home and an increasing amount of checking before sleep. This is a reader’s personal account, edited for readability. Ages and circumstances refer to the time of submission. It is not a clinical assessment. A reader’s account Hello! I live in the country. A few years ago I noticed something on the rug... only … [Read more...]