I have a weird phobia?

Question

Okay, don't think I'm a freak, but i have a MAJOR fear of baloons. And I mean major.

I've had this phobia of baloons ever since I can remember. Whenever I go to parties that i'm invited to, they always hide the baloons because they know i'm afraid.

I stopped being friends with this one girl because she popped a baloon in my face. OMG, I had a panic attack and had to leave school, I literally cried the rest of the day and couldn't sleep.

One time, me and some of my friends decided to help me overcome the fear. I tried to touch a baloon, but as soon as I touched it, it popped!!! I was so scared that I ran out of my house and down the block crying. Just writing this makes me shiver.

I'm even scared of pictures of baloons, even cartoon ones.

Does anyone know how to get over this fear (I already go to a phsychiatrist, but that isn't helping).

Answer 1

You are taking the first step. Talking about your fear. You have to recondition yourself and your pyschiatrist, if there any good, would know this. I suggest seeing a psychiatrist that specializes in Behavior Modification.
After you are able to talk about balloons without experiencing any signs of anxiety. Then move onto merelly looking at photos or drawings of balloons. Next look at deflated balloons. Then have someone stand several feet away holding a balloon and slowly walk towards them. Once you get to a distance where your anxiety reoccurs stop. Keep doing this step until you are able to stand right next to the person holding the balloon. Once you are able to do this, hold a balloon by a string. Do this step in minute increments until you are able to hold the balloon without an anxiety attack for X amount time. Then physically touch the balloon and hold the balloon again for a set amount of time. Your final step would be to blow up a balloon yourself.
Overcoming phobias such as this can be very difficult and take some time. But it can be done.
Whatever you do, I suggest you seek out a Behavior Mod psychologist. They will be the ones able to help you out the most.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

Defined as "a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of balloons", each year this surprisingly common phobia causes countless people needless distress.

To add insult to an already distressing condition, most balloon phobia therapies take months or years and sometimes even require the patient to be exposed repeatedly to their fear. We believe that not only is this totally unnecessary, it will often make the condition worse. And it is particularly cruel as balloon phobia can be eliminated with the right methods and just 24 hours of commitment by the phobic individual.

Known by a number of names - Globophobia, Fear of Balloons being the most common - the problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences balloon phobia in their own way and may have different symptoms. .

Though a variety of potent drugs are often prescribed for balloon phobia, side effects and/or withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Moreover, drugs do not "cure" balloon phobia or any other phobia. At best they temporarily suppress the symptoms through chemical interaction.

The good news is that the modern, fast, drug-free processes of The CTRN Phobia Clinic will train your mind to feel completely different about balloons, eliminating the fear so it never haunts you again.

Like all fears and phobias, balloon phobia is created by the unconscious mind as a protective mechanism. At some point in your past, there was likely an event linking balloons and emotional trauma. Whilst the original catalyst may have been a real-life scare of some kind, the condition can also be triggered by myriad, benign events like movies, TV, or perhaps seeing someone else experience trauma.

But so long as the negative association is powerful enough, the unconscious mind thinks: "Ahh, this whole thing is very dangerous. How do I keep myself from getting in this kind of situation again? I know, I'll attach terrible feelings to balloons, that way I'll steer clear in future and so be safe." Just like that balloon phobia is born. Attaching emotions to situations is one of the primary ways that humans learn. Sometimes we just get the wiring wrong.

The actual phobia manifests itself in different ways. Some sufferers experience it almost all the time, others just in response to direct stimuli. Everyone has their own unique formula for when and how to feel bad.

We won't actually do anything: you will. Our practitioners will teach you to regain control of your emotions and conquer your Balloon Phobia. Working with us, you'll rapidly train your unconscious mind to connect different, positive feelings to the stimuli that triggers the phobia. And you will learn quickly now to stop the root cause of your Fear of Flying: those awful thoughts, images, movies or sounds.
We are an ABNLP
Approved Program

We don't use hypnosis for Balloon Phobia but our modern techniques are equally relaxing and enjoyable. Clients immediately notice that they feel different. Once the unconscious mind feels safe and learns how to respond appropriately, it will always know - so the results are permanent. Balloon Phobia is gone. Forever.

Can these people rid you of a debilitating phobia after just a few hours of work? Is this just a quick fix? At CTRN we've helped hundreds of people beat their phobias. Here's just one testimonial:

We've collected countless testimonials from past clients just like this one. Read them all.

You'll need to play your part, of course. Usually as part of the work with us there will be some easy and enjoyable homework for you to do, and that will be a key part of your success.

Answer 3

Any halfway decent therapist should be able to clear this up in one session. Yep, no kidding.

I *suggest* you stop wasting money on whoever you're seeing at the moment and start phoning around. Don't bother with anyone who won't guarantee to give you your money back if they haven't enabled you to resolve the situation in two sessions max.

(I'd love to help you further, but the Internet is not a viable place to carry out therapy.)

Answer 4

well, i always say that to overcome a fear, you have to look it in the face. but as you've already tried that, just hang in there. i would start by taking a non-blown up balloon and holding it and "making nice" with it. then just keep progressing and soon enough, you won't have to be scared of them.

Answer 5

Get a friend to buy some balloons and blow them up, you can't look at them. Then get them to put all the balloons in a room, all you have to do is lock yourself in, you'll overcome your fear, no doubt.

Answer 6

I know how you feel...I'm like this with clowns. If you figure out how to get over your fear of balloons and you think it will help others with their fears of strange things, let us know...

Answer 7

At this moment, I am blinking continuously in confusion.