Has anyone here...

[Jharry5]

...faced up to their fear/phobia?

Do people here on the Escapist think that facing a fear helps to ease the tell tale signs of a phobia, or does taking such action only make them worse?

I've tried facing two seperate fears: the first time it worked; the other didn't and backfired, making it worse...

So, facing fears - does it help or hinder?
(By the way, I searched and I couldn't find a similar topic. Apologies if it has).

 

[Internet Kraken]

Hell no

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

What sort of phobia?

As they're irrational fears I doubt any rational method would cure them.

 

[SharPhoe]

I've had this discussion with a friend before. In the end it depends entirely on whether you truly want to conquer said fear. Take, for instance, my insane fear of large insects, especially spiders. As much as I would wish I could get over jumping in fright and running away from something that's more scared of me than I am of it, I don't see a strong enough point of overcoming it to actually do it. It's a sad truth.

 

[bindox]

I have faced down several, each time gaining only confidence and self-respect.

Public speaking, sky-diving, bungee jumping, base jumping.

 

[Anachronism]

It's only worth facing your fear if it's in a situation where you honestly think you could overcome it. If you end up facing it, and having to fall back, as it were, you're just going to end up worse than you were before.

 

[Evilmonkeysniper0182]

I've had this discussion with a friend before. In the end it depends entirely on whether you truly want to conquer said fear. Take, for instance, my insane fear of large insects, especially spiders. As much as I would wish I could get over jumping in fright and running away from something that's more scared of me than I am of it, I don't see a strong enough point of overcoming it to actually do it. It's a sad truth.

Just stamp on it lol

 

[Matronadena]

Everyday I try and face things ...not necessarily a fear, or phobia, but things that take me out of comfortable elements. Like making business calls ( be it related to my work, or calling the utility company or some such) I hate doing it, It's uncomfortable, but I do what I need to do to get things done.Should I come up to something that could be called a fear, then that too is just another thing that needs done, and I do my damnedest.

 

[SharPhoe]

I've had this discussion with a friend before. In the end it depends entirely on whether you truly want to conquer said fear. Take, for instance, my insane fear of large insects, especially spiders. As much as I would wish I could get over jumping in fright and running away from something that's more scared of me than I am of it, I don't see a strong enough point of overcoming it to actually do it. It's a sad truth.

Just stamp on it lol

Yeah, you would think that's the logical solution to my problem, but I also have a huge aversion to killing living things. Plus, trying to step on a spider would imply that I have to get closer to it, and well... that just isn't on my to-do list.

 

[-Orgasmatron-]

Dogs are scary, I ain't facing them. Even Batman loses to dogs.

 

[Souplex]

My only fear is that somewhere out there, there is someone superior to me. Thankfully I know that it is a silly fear.

 

[LINKXIII]

Irrational fear of talking to pretty girls

 

[Evilmonkeysniper0182]

Really, ok you got a probelm then lol, ok try walking towards it barking like a dog i did try this once when l was drunk ask my wife)

 

[sky14kemea]

sure, on another thread i said my worst fear is someone finding out my worst fear (or second worst fear i guess...)
but i think i told someone once, so thats kinda getting over my fear

or maybe i made a terrible mistake

 

[SamuelT]

Try to beat this fear:

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia- Fear of the number 666.

 

[Beffudled Sheep]

I am incapable of getting over my phobias. I jump in fear when I see a picture of a spider. How can I conquer my spider phobia when I can't even look at pictures of them.

 

[EeveeElectro]

The other day I decided to be brave and get a spider out the bath.
Then it started crawling, so I screamed and ran away.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

You know how scary fire is? It kills people and causes horrible pain in the process.

 

[antipunt]

"...faced up to their fear/phobia?"

Same story as you. Once it helped. Once it killed me X___X

 

[bulletproof12]

facing a fear imo makes it better.

when i was a kid i used to be terrified of the dark, even at like age 10. over time spending time downtown and having to walk home in the dark and walking on dark fields has made me love the dark.

i used to be HORIFIED by insects. started hanging around with hot girls, and while spiders still scare me if they are on me i can take down any insect not on me.