A student describes escalating contamination fears, cleaning, and distress when others touch their belongings. 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 have an extremely bad phobia of germs and it is taking over my life. I don't know … [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.
Fear of vomit (Emetophobia)
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, where to start. When I was young, me and my family had a game night. Of course with game nights and gatherings, you get tons of food. So, me and my mom went to the store (I was about 8 years old) and I … [Read more...]
Scary experiment / senior prank
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. It began as what the other pupils called a senior prank. I had started walking home when two football players surrounded me. I tried to run, but one grabbed my arms and told me it was an experiment for the … [Read more...]
Emetophobia has taken over my life
A reader describes persistent fear of vomiting, daily avoidance, and the effect on family life. 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 worst fear is seeing, hearing, or knowing that someone is throwing up. For as long as I can … [Read more...]
I’m terrified of moths
A reader describes a long-standing fear of moths, teasing by siblings, and sleep disruption. 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 afraid of moths, I have been since I was around five because my family and I had come home a bit … [Read more...]
My life suffering from emetophobia
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 life suffering from emetophobia: For me, emetophobia means an intense fear of vomiting. Not only vomiting, but also hearing someone vomit, see someone vomit, feeling nauseous, or being around anyone who … [Read more...]
Emetophobia and Mysophobia combined
A reader describes contamination fears focused on vomiting illness and the effect on everyday routines. 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've had an excessive fear of germs. Not just a little bit … [Read more...]
Fear of Society and People
A graduate describes social fear, difficulty keeping work, painful self-judgment, and suicidal thoughts. If those thoughts are current and you may act on them, seek urgent local help and tell someone trusted. 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 … [Read more...]
This phobia is not listed – PARENT PHOBIA
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. Our son married, and arguments followed. Parents did everything they could in terms of getting the couple counselling but nothing helped and irreconcilable differences prevailed. He then met a girlfriend online … [Read more...]
Koumpounophobia since I was 5 years old
A young reader describes distress around clothing buttons and finding other people with similar fears. 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 was 11 when I submitted this story. I had been reading about buttons and related fears since … [Read more...]
Life is slipping by
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. For about ten years before I wrote this, I had been terrified of getting cancer. It all started when I felt a small lump on my breast. When I went to the gynecologist to get it checked out I thought well I may … [Read more...]