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View Full Version : Just want to know what's going on.....


TanyaLynn11
07-22-2009, 07:31 AM
I apologize that this is so long...

So I don't know if its OCD, paranoia, or anxiety or maybe all or something else I don't know! I have a lot of fears: spiders, snakes, horses, clowns, the dark, being alone, being trapped, and car crashes. I have an extremely irrational yet present fear of the dark. (I am 21 years old and sleep with a night light! would have more light if my boyfriend could stand it...) I don't know what I'm particularly scared of, but i HATE being in the dark. Especially outside, or when I'm alone. Even in my car alone when its dark out i feel scared there's something in the back seat or something. Also when I am driving I get freaked out that I will crash or someone will wreck into me... Not all the time and I don't hyperventilate or anything, but it is very present in my mind when I'm at the wheel. I like to keep everything very straight and tidy, and I have an obsession with doors being shut. I hate open doors! Especially when they're just cracked and the room is dark. I feel like all day all i do is close doors. Also when I shower, i like to be as quick as possible so i can hurry up and throw the shower curtain open and get outta there. I do everything i can to keep my eyes open on the cracked edge of the shower curtain, and do not feel comfortable when i have to turn my back to it. Just typing that makes me feel anxious! Also i wear contacts during the day, so come night time when i take them out its even worse cuz my eyes can play tricks on me when i take my glasses off. Even in the privacy and (hopefully) safety of my own home i don't walk around in the dark. Sometimes i worry going around corners, and mirrors freak me out. Not my reflection (lol) but one of my worst fears and nightmares is that i will see something in the reflection, turn around to see nothing, then look back to the mirror and its closer. This is more than me just seeing a few too many scary movies, these fears and paranoia are taking over my life! Also i have a need to keep volumes on odd numbers, even when i am driving the radio volume needs to be on an odd number. It makes me feel uncomfortable knowing its not if i dont fix it... And as for the snakes and spiders every time i go outside i am completely paranoid a snake or spider will come out from somewhere... especially when i'm walking in grass. and when im walking with people i cannot be on the right side. like if its just my BF and i, i ALWAYS walk to his left. if its a group of 3 i can be in the middle of the left. NOT the right, i cant stand it and will even stop walking or just walk behind them if for some reason i cannot have my way. oh and when i'm (mainly alone) in a room, i do whatever i have to not to have my back to the room, even if it means sitting with my back in the corner. and i DO NOT like to be alone.... it freaks me out. even to get up in the middle of the night to potty its like uhhh do i have to go that bad? cuz i dont want to get up. i know all of this sounds really pathetic but its just the way i am. I am just wondering what these traits might mean, and if anyone knows any ways i can try to get over it! Thanks for reading all this if you did, i appreciate it.

admin
07-28-2009, 03:47 PM
We all have different personality traits.

The things you mentioned about radio numbers to be odd number, walking left to your boyfriend etc... might be due to some obsessive compulsive traits (Anankastic Personality traits)

Many people are afraid of snakes, spiders etc... and we do watch out when we walk in grass and open fields. It could not normal.

Watching a lot of scary movies can influence your thoughts and feelings and can make your fears and paranoia worse if you do in excess.

Fear has been important in the survival of human kind and without that, we would play with snakes and tigers and would put ourselves at risks. But if you have excessive fears, you might need to seek help. You may want to talk to your doctor about this to dicuss some forms of help.

I would suggest to read a bit more about anxiety and phobia in the following online leaflet.

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/problems/anxietyphobias/anxietyphobias.aspx