Phobias

Phobias are, as per the DSM IV, an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations.

I am phobic of electrical outlets, stray dogs, heights, and public speaking.

I used to be scared of all dogs.I tell people I developed this fear out of a childhood exp wherein I was bit by a dog. I don't believe this to be true. I think my mom's fear of dogs eventually wore me down, but the former sounds better. So I lie. Once when I was twelve, a leash-less dog charged at me. I reacted by jumping on top of a parked car. An eyewitness, my bff, said golden retrievers aren't known for attacking people. She obviously wasn't an avid reader of the DSM, otherwise she would have known rationalizing me down from the car hood was an exercise in futility.

If I have to plug in an iron I will, but, I'd prefer not to. Instead, I'd rather someone else do it as I worry I'll be electrocuted . Recently, it occurred to me that I would feel profoundly guilt ridden if the person who plugged in the iron died. So, I started buying Downy wrinkle release. Sometimes I worry they will stop making it. Since having that thought, I stopped buying the wrinkle release. Now, I have my clothes dry cleaned or I spray it with water.

Shows like Fear Factor make sense to me, but I think they're mean and often watched by people who would never go on the show. In essence, the show is watched by people who are afraid of being afraid.