Need help with a ridiculous phobia

whitewing

I definitely think popping them until you're desensitized would help. I hate blowing them up in case they pop.

Northern78

I did think about that slinky and would be willing to go down that route, I just wondered if self help was an option here.

Northern78

Yeah I guess you're right nickyhutch I just don't want it to run off onto him.

Whitewing I might give it a go, surely eventually I will get over it.

carrielovesfanta

Hi Northern,


Sorry to hear that you feel so on edge about them.


I'm not phobic but I do get an intense panic reaction to loud bangs. My heart jumps and bangs, I get sweaty and shake.


Do you get a similar reaction to balloons popping? I've found that the best way to deal with my reaction is to accept that it's going to happen/is happening and just to sit it out (not sure if that makes sense?)


This way I don't feel that I need to avoid things that bang, I just accept that my reaction is bad.


I'm not sure if this will help - it's just a different way for me to look at it

fivetide

No advice about getting over it but you are not alone OP. I knew someone else who had the same fear, essentially it was just that the balloon would eventually burst.

So don't feel daft, others have the same issue!

onlyroz

I have a phobia about jewelery, which many people think is silly and irrational - but it doesn't make the phobia any less real. Being near it makes me feel physically sick. It's never really been much of a problem for me - although I did make my husband stop wearing a ring and bracelet before i would agree to date him, and I have refused to wear a wedding ring, which I think he finds a little disappointing.

Recently, however, my daughter has started to want to wear necklaces etc. I can just about cope with her wearing one as long as somebody else puts it on and takes it off - but I do struggle to cuddle her when she's wearing one.

I can't really advise whether it's a good idea to try and "desensitise" yourself over your balloon phobia - I've never attempted this myself. But is it really such a big problem to tell your children that you don't like balloons and so they won't be allowed to have one while you're near?

Pollycat

As others have said, it's not childish or ridiculous.

I've seen something on This morning about curing phobia of balloons.

If you Google 'balloon phobia' it brings up all sorts of links that may help you.

whitewing

My DD loves balloons so maybe you could get a load blown up and watch your DS having fun with them, before you go down the popping route.

swingaloo

You have my sympathy and I dont think its daft to feel as you do at all.
Im exactly the same. Im in my 60s now and still remember the fear when I was at school parties and they had the relay game with balloons where you had to sit on one to burst it.

I still dont like them and yet I realise how irrational it is. Watching soemone blow one up is excrutiating as Im aware it may pop at any time. I cant even watch one burst.

Yet I love the sight and colours when they are used to decorate a room for parties. But Im exactly the same when we have taken the kids to McDonalds.

Ive no idea what started it and dont know of any way to overcome it. Just resign yourself to the fact that its not something you need to face every day.

One thing I would mention though is not to make a fuss when there are balloons about as if you are like me the neices, nephews and even the odd adult seem to find it amusing to threaten me with them, Ive been chased round many a room and not for the right reasons!:rotfl:

Gigervamp

No advice, but just want to let you know you're not alone!

I hate balloons. It's the anticipation of them popping. Hate, hate, hate it if a child has one near me and they're squeezng it or pinching it. Ewww! If one goes off near me, I shriek, even if I was waiting for it to go off!

I'm the same with fireworks, although I love watching them, I'm the one standing in the crowd with my fingers stuck in my ears!

My kids have grown up fine and they just think it's amusing that I'm like this, so don't worry about your son.