Anyone afraid of frogs?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2006
Anyone afraid of frogs?
4
Mon, 06-26-2006 - 8:42pm

Hi everyone,

I suppose I'm just looking for a little support or commiseration. I can't seem to find any indepth articles with regard to my phobia.
I had a pretty bad experience last night and need to vent it out of my system. I have always been afraid of frogs and toads. I can't see pictures of them in magazines, can't watch them on TV and in order to go into a pet store, I must know where they are located so I can avoid that area of the store. I have no problems with cartoon or muppet-like versions of them, but the more realistic a drawing is, the more disturbing it will be for me.
I have nighmares about them and wake up all freaked out and scared. I am convinced if one ever comes into cotact with me, I will die (simply cease to exist).
Last night I went outside to have a cigarette. I flipped on the light and in the corner between the door and the wall there was a...
I swear I had a nervous breakdown, I couldn't get back in the house because that would mean having to pass it, I couldn't look in that direction because I am terrified to look at them, but I had to make sure that it wasn't going to move towards me...I couldn't stop crying, but I had to get back inside because I simply couldn't be outside with it. I eventually grabbed a piece of newspaper off the table and blocked my eyes from it and ran into the house as fast as possible. I could not stop shaking and crying and rocking my body.
I know this sounds weird, but there has to be someone out there who can identify. The sickest part of all this, is that we moved from New York to Florida last year (how smart a move was that for someone like me?)
I don't have any memories of being traumatized by them in any way when I was a child (unless I blocked it out) and I am not sure I want to get over this, i can't imagine ever be OK with seeing or being near one.

Thanks for reading.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2003
Tue, 06-27-2006 - 11:02am

I will be honest and tell you I have not had phobias before but I'm empathetic! Being scared sucks! Have you talked to a therapist about it? Maybe you could try one of those programs of desensitazation? This may not help at all but do you try talking yourself down? Like telling yourself there is nothing that frog can do to hurt me over and over? When you are in a panic it is really hard of course. Have you read any books on overcoming phobias? That might be helpful.
I hope I helped at least a little!

Hugs!

Laura

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 06-27-2006 - 6:06pm

Hello! I am sorry to hear about your fear. They come in all forms. I have known many ppl who never had a trauma that they could recall. It might just be some sort of association you made between something scary & your current fear. It is very hard to understand how the anxious mind works.


Like Laura has suggested, professional counseling can work. It doesn't mean you're crazy. Just allowing someone to listen & give guidance is a big relief for many of us. My *T* is able to guide me into seeing where I formed some of my patterns of behavior that result in fears, such as my driving phobia. I give you credit for making that big move to FL. Many folks find that facing fears helps them cope better in the long run. Please don't be a stranger. We care & want you to meet with success. Drop into chat tonight. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan




 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-31-2004
Tue, 06-27-2006 - 6:19pm
Oh gosh, I moved from NY to Fl too and its the frog capitol. No phobia is weird. It just happens to be what triggers your phobia. I too live in Fl and I know it will take much more to convince you but I often feel better when I learn fact vrs fiction. There are no posionous Frogs in fl, just god awful ugly ones. The only one that could be a hazard is a sebaccous frog and thats only if a small animal digests one. You probably dont care and its the visual that frightenes you, I understand. They wont come after you, they just lay around and look ugly. You know, they say the best way to get over a phobia is to face it. Yes, easier said then done. Maybe one time your outside smoking and you see one, try looking really looking at it. Just for 20 seconds then go inside. See what it is that frightens you. Then look at them longer and longer. Im no expert, Im just giving personal advice. I am scared to death of thunderstorms and I force myself to watch it now (from the house!) when I would curl up in a fetal position and think the world is over. I understand, your not weird.
DOnna
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 06-28-2006 - 11:30am

Hi & welcome to our community! I'm so sorry to hear you had to face your fear unexpectedly like that.

Sheri Ann