Need help with a ridiculous phobia

Northern78

Hi all

I'm after some help/advice if possible please......

OK so this is going to sound very childish but I have an intense fear of balloons. It's getting to the point where it's ruining my everyday life and starting to affect my DS. We've been out for lunch today where they gave him a balloon but I was so on edge I had to move it from him, that's really not fair on him.

I'm not sure what caused this phobia but I've never liked them, it's a fear they will burst. It's ridiculous, I know nothing will happen if it does burst but I'm just constantly on edge. I'm also like this with fireworks but obviously this doesn't affect everyday life as much.

So I was wondering if anyone else has suffered with this? Have you managed to cure your fear? and if so was this done by self help or with professional help.

I know there's people with real phobias and this seems very petty but I really need to get it sorted. I can't and won't allow it to affect my children's lives.

Thanks

Ames

I don't have any advice, but I'm sure I've read that it's quite a common phobia. So you're not being petty or silly at all! (Not that any phobia is, but you know what I mean).

duloch

I know there's people with real phobias and this seems very petty but I really need to get it sorted. I can't and won't allow it to affect my children's lives.

Sorry I don't have any advice but I just wanted to say I don't think your phobia isn't real or any less a phobia than someone else. You can't help what your afraid of or causing you distress or panic. Although I guess step one is admitting it and asking for help or advice. hope someone will come advise x

Northern78

Thanks both, it just feels so childish to say I'm scared of balloons, something most people associate with fun! x

rainbowfairydust

Could you start off my looking at a picture of a balloon for a while until you desensitize yourself to the photo - then next step could be to have a balloon (deflated) in your presence until you are used to that? Then maybe try holding the deflated balloon for a while then ask someone to blow one up and do the last 2 steps again ( ie have the balloon in your presence ) and finally when you are ready try holding it for yourself?

It wont be easy but by taking small steps will make it easier for you in the long run..:D

ETA - I would do this over a period of several weeks so as not too overload your brain too much.

rainbowfairydust

Northern78 wrote: »

Thanks both, it just feels so childish to say I'm scared of balloons, something most people associate with fun! x

Dont worry about it too much Everyone has phobias - it is quite possibly because you dont like the feel/sound of them (as they can be squeaky to touch) . Maybe as a child something happened that made you a bit weary of them ?

Northern78

Hi rainbowfairydust, thanks for that. I don't actually mind seeing photos of balloons or being near them when deflated, it's just as soon as they are inflated.

Maybe I need to take the hard approach and just get some blown up and then pop them until I do get over it.

nickyhutch

It wont affect your children's lives! You're allowed to have strange/weird fears and phobias. Most people do. I'm scared to death of water, but my son's a lifeguard. He just thinks I'm daft.

Northern78

I know what you mean nickyhutch but like today for example, he was given a balloon and I had to tell him to stop playing with it as I was so on edge. I don't think that's fair, he should be able to play with them like all the other kids.

I wouldn't even be able to consider having them at one of his birthday parties but that's exactly what kids like. Thankfully he's only 2 so hopefully I can get this sorted before he's wanting proper birthday parties etc.

Slinky

How about looking at a session of hypnotherapy?

nickyhutch

Northern78 wrote: »

I know what you mean nickyhutch but like today for example, he was given a balloon and I had to tell him to stop playing with it as I was so on edge. I don't think that's fair, he should be able to play with them like all the other kids.

I wouldn't even be able to consider having them at one of his birthday parties but that's exactly what kids like. Thankfully he's only 2 so hopefully I can get this sorted before he's wanting proper birthday parties etc.

He wont be damaged by not playing with balloons near his Mum. He wont be damaged by not having balloons at his parties. I promise you. He'll just grow up knowing Mum is a bit daft around balloons so wont play with them near her.

Just the same as other kids know Mum is scared of spiders, Dad is petrified by clowns, grandma can't stand heights and uncle Bob wont go on the scary rides at Alton Towers.