NationStates Jolt Archive

So I'm afraid of mice and I know that I'm ot the only one. It's an irrational fear but why does that fear or any such irrational fear exist? With mice it could be the following reasons:

Home is supposed to be the safest place for yourself to be. Having mice can be thought of as having invaders and so that safe area is not very safe.

The "invisible"factor (as I like to call it): You don't always see them but you can always hear them running or scratching.

This makes the fear slightly more rationalbut not by much. SO anyway what kind of fears do you have and why?

I've recently read an interesting book that stated that phobias could well have organic causes.
We are born with an ability to fear, but we have to learn what to fear. A monkey that has never seen a snake in his life, and, more importantly, has never seen the reaction of other monkeys to a snake, will not display any signs of fear when presented with a snake.
Once the connection snake = scary has been made, though, it's been observed that some monkeys display fear more strongly and on more occasions (think snake-shaped sticks, for example) than others. REsearchers were actually able to locate a gene that is responsible for the excessive fear/phobia that some monkeys can develop...

So I'm afraid of mice and I know that I'm ot the only one. It's an irrational fear but why does that fear or any such irrational fear exist? With mice it could be the following reasons:

Home is supposed to be the safest place for yourself to be. Having mice can be thought of as having invaders and so that safe area is not very safe.

The "invisible"factor (as I like to call it): You don't always see them but you can always hear them running or scratching.

This makes the fear slightly more rationalbut not by much. SO anyway what kind of fears do you have and why?

Umm sorry, are you trying to rationalise an irrational fear?

So I'm afraid of mice and I know that I'm ot the only one. It's an irrational fear but why does that fear or any such irrational fear exist? With mice it could be the following reasons:

Home is supposed to be the safest place for yourself to be. Having mice can be thought of as having invaders and so that safe area is not very safe.

The "invisible"factor (as I like to call it): You don't always see them but you can always hear them running or scratching.

This makes the fear slightly more rationalbut not by much. SO anyway what kind of fears do you have and why?

Spiders. Big hairy spiders. Luckily there is no such in my country except zoo. Where I don't look at them.

I've recently read an interesting book that stated that phobias could well have organic causes.
We are born with an ability to fear, but we have to learn what to fear. A monkey that has never seen a snake in his life, and, more importantly, has never seen the reaction of other monkeys to a snake, will not display any signs of fear when presented with a snake.
Once the connection snake = scary has been made, though, it's been observed that some monkeys display fear more strongly and on more occasions (think snake-shaped sticks, for example) than others. REsearchers were actually able to locate a gene that is responsible for the excessive fear/phobia that some monkeys can develop...

I think this is true, my husband has a horrible spider phobia, due to his grandmother literally fainting at the thought. I on the other hand, not really afraid of them........my family just kills them. My children are kinda a hybrid, they scream, then they kill it.

I have been trying to mask my fear of crickets, so my kids don't end up afraid of them, it's a pretty stupid fear, they don't even bite (like spiders can). They do jump though, seemingly at random, and that's scream provoking.

You're right to fear mice, they're responsible for this whole mess.

You're right to fear mice, they're responsible for this whole mess.

42.

Why mice? Compared to many other things that are often invisible and invade your home, mice are sometimes cute and fluffy. Compare that to cockroaches and the like.

^ actually, why am I trying to rationalise someone else's irrational fear?

I go with the idea that phobias have an organic cause and are based in the brain reacting to certain stimuli outside of any context that gives them meaning.

I have a paralyzing fear of cockroaches. I don't like other kind of icky bugs, either, but I'm not afraid of them, while the mere sight of a cockroach is enough to freak me out to my very bones. I've never had any extreme personal experiences with cockroaches, and having grown up in NYC, should be hardened to them. But no. Then I read about a study that was done once that determined that the human brain is hardwired to perceive certain things as "repulsive" -- certain colors, shapes, textures, sheens, and kinds of movement trigger an automatic "ick" response in human beings. Apparently, cockroaches combine the most number of those stimuli in one package, making them the most disgusting animals on earth. I may just be hypersenstive to those stimuli.

Likewise, my landlady keeps trying to cut down all the trees within sight of the house, and is unhappy that the neighbors insist on having trees on their properties. Why? Because she is afraid of birds. In particular, she tells me she gets freaked out by the way they move, the quick starts and stops and fluttering quality. I'd guess that is another organic brain thing.

I'd guess that people who have phobias of things that can be perceived by the senses, experience an inappropriate or excessive trigger of fear reaction from that sensory information. People who are afraid of non-sensory things, like the number 13, might have a different kind of brain-wiring connection, or might really have OCD.

im only afraid of scary things. and then im not afraid of them if they cant hurt me.

so when i was sitting on my front porch and noticed a rattle snake slithering across the yard, i just watched it slither until it was out of my sight.

i dont like masses of bugs but i find them freaky not scary. i wouldnt scream at or run away from a mass of 1000 ants but i wouldnt like it.

i like mice but they are kinda destructive. when the cat catches one in the house i try to pick it up (in a piece of paper towel so it cant bite me) and toss it outside to save its life. they really arent particularly scary. RATS might be. *shudder*

Moths are scary fuckers that eat people brains at bedtime

I mean sure they look harmless and you start going like "oh, well now I feel silly" then out of nowhere the git flies into your face going straight for the eyes! :eek:

Anything that has to do with supernatural things. Had a few bad experiences with them, and I'd really rather stay as far away from all of it as possible.

Umm sorry, are you trying to rationalise an irrational fear?

Behavior may be irrational, but the universe is not. However silly a phobia is, it's causes can be found in events and biology that are understandable by rational means.

Praying mantas. I don't even know why, noone else I know is afraid of them. But just seeing a picture of one makes me feel sick. When I go to the zoo I'm fine looking at all the other bugs, even the giant hissing cockroaches and things - but if I spot a praying mantis I have to leave the insect house.

I think this is true, my husband has a horrible spider phobia, due to his grandmother literally fainting at the thought. I on the other hand, not really afraid of them........my family just kills them. My children are kinda a hybrid, they scream, then they kill it.

I have been trying to mask my fear of crickets, so my kids don't end up afraid of them, it's a pretty stupid fear, they don't even bite (like spiders can). They do jump though, seemingly at random, and that's scream provoking.

I never kill spiders.

When my wife and I first got together she saw a great big spider in the tub and yelled "there's a spider, you gotta kill it!."

She was shocked when she saw me pick it up and place it outside the front door. It was only later I learned that it was a habit peculiar to the English.

Praying mantas.


Me too! I've never figured out why, the movement perhapes? Knowing their mating habits? Also, snakes, it's their movement and their eyes. If it's not moving and I can't see the face I don't care but if it move or I see the eyes.... it feels like they're on me........ ew........can't talk about this anymore

*shiver*

Me too! I've never figured out why, the movement perhapes? Knowing their mating habits?
At least it's not just me! *sigh of relief*

My children are kinda a hybrid, they scream, then they kill it.

Your kids sound awesome! :p

So I'm afraid of mice and I know that I'm ot the only one. It's an irrational fear but why does that fear or any such irrational fear exist? With mice it could be the following reasons:

Home is supposed to be the safest place for yourself to be. Having mice can be thought of as having invaders and so that safe area is not very safe.

The "invisible"factor (as I like to call it): You don't always see them but you can always hear them running or scratching.

This makes the fear slightly more rationalbut not by much. SO anyway what kind of fears do you have and why?

I'm not keen on heights, but I'd say that's a fairly rational fear. I don't like insects, but I'm not really afraid of them, I'd just rather avoid them.

I'd say heights is fairly rational. My friend has one of the most irrational fears ever imagined. Every time he pulls out at a junction he has a fear that an INVISIBLE car will crash into him, killing him instantly.

I have an intense and possibly irrational fear of thunder and lightning.

The only way to build up a resistance to a fear is to consume it. Which means you will need to start catching those little critters and roasting them up.

I have an intense and irrational love of thunder and lightning.
But back to fears, probably death, then isolation and then lack of money.

The only way to build up a resistance to a fear is to consume it. Which means you will need to start catching those little critters and roasting them up.

Mouse kebabs?

The only way to build up a resistance to a fear is to consume it. Which means you will need to start catching those little critters and roasting them up.

how in the hell am i supposed to roast and eat a thunderstorm!??!? :mad: :(





:p

The only way to build up a resistance to a fear is to consume it. Which means you will need to start catching those little critters and roasting them up.

so should i start burning lots of dead bodies? or lots of money?

so should i start burning lots of dead bodies? or lots of money?

Dead bodies wrapped in money. *nod*

how in the hell am i supposed to roast and eat a thunderstorm!??!? :mad: :(





:p

Maybe you could burn a microwave full of water? but i think that could go badly.
Or get one of those plasma lamp thingys and burn it.

There's one on my desk! Hang on wrong mouse ...

Mouse kebabs?
Quite so.

how in the hell am i supposed to roast and eat a thunderstorm!??!? :mad: :(
:p
Do something creative with the grill?
so should i start burning lots of dead bodies? or lots of money?
Yes to the dead bodies. No to the money. Since you are afraid of a loss of money, you need to burn empty wallets...or empty banks. Then eat them both.

I forgot blood, needles and pain. I don't actually feel afraid when I see them nor to I care if I'm bleeding/getting a needle/in pain. However if I see a child in pain I will either feel sick or dizzy or faint. If I see someone(thing) bleeding and they are dieing/in pain then I faint. If I see someone get a needle I feel like i'm gonna' puke and my head gets hot. Also, certain books have made me shake and made my head feel heavy and feverish, for example a book about Lady Jane Gray when talking about her getting beheaded I felt,... ugh. Also, Night made by throw-up.

And Clowns..... :(

My dad is afraid of rats and mice.

So I'm afraid of mice and I know that I'm ot the only one. It's an irrational fear but why does that fear or any such irrational fear exist? With mice it could be the following reasons:

Home is supposed to be the safest place for yourself to be. Having mice can be thought of as having invaders and so that safe area is not very safe.

The "invisible"factor (as I like to call it): You don't always see them but you can always hear them running or scratching.

This makes the fear slightly more rationalbut not by much. SO anyway what kind of fears do you have and why?

Bah I work with a guy that SERIOUSLY has a phobia of pickles, like intense never be in his house, throw away gloves if touched sort of fear

Odd as he is such a normal guy in most respects except that

I've never been afraid of rats or mice, possibly because I've kept hamsters as pets and known people with mice as pets.

On the other hand, I've been covered in spiders before, and still hate them. So maybe my mouse-friendliness is natural rather than learned. I've still massacred mice with combinations of poison/traps/pellet gun on a couple occasions, so maybe my mouse-friendliness isn't too sincere either, come to think of it. :p