Scared of fish. :gonk:

[turbid blue]

Please, be serious.

As some of you may know, I have a phobia of fish. This stems from when I was a young child and would have hallucinations that I was underwater on the deck of a sunken ship with sharks circling me.

Usually it's not a problem in my everyday life (except when Shark Week commercials are on TV).

But I really want to get over this fear. I want to be able to go to the Boston Aquarium with my boyfriend. More importantly, I want to be able to go to Atlantis and Vegas with him. Many hotels have large fish tanks that you have to walk past in order to get anywhere, and Atlantis is basically crawling with fish.

So, how do I get over my fear?

[Happy Rocks]

I'm not sure the best approch to this sweatdrop

I mean hypnotism may work, but I don't know anyone who's tried it.

What I would do is, slowly intorduce myself to fish again. Maybe start by looking at the goldfish at the mall. Then take it a step up and look at the slightly larger fish at bait shops.

This would happen over weeks or maybe months, but it may be the best approach to overcoming your fear heart

((P.s. I went to the Boston Aquarium last year, and it is beautiful))

[Matt Max Jet]

Quote:

I'm not sure the best approch to this

I mean hypnotism may work, but I don't know anyone who's tried it.

What I would do is, slowly intorduce myself to fish again. Maybe start by looking at the goldfish at the mall. Then take it a step up and look at the slightly larger fish at bait shops.

This would happen over weeks or maybe months, but it may be the best approach to overcoming your fear

((P.s. I went to the Boston Aquarium last year, and it is beautiful))

Yes I Agree with that. Slowly confront yourself with fishes, don't do it alone, but with someone you trust and someone that comforts you during the procedure. Start slowly as the previous poster said. Look at cartoons with cute little fish characters, start to like them through adorable paintings on boxes and something. Try to look at a photograph, at many fishes on a photograph.. at one fish in an aquarium then at many. Do it always longer than the last time and always with friends.

I bet that might not be the best moment to say that, but I am off to take a dive in my coral reef ^^ Hope to catch you there one day. =P

[Dads Creepy Friend]

This makes me miss my pet fish. crying

Basically fish are awesome. Fish are totally awesome. They are cute, and funny, and big googly eyes and pretty colored fins. They are sassy and like to sass other sassy fish. Fish are super cool.

Maybe you should try getting a pet fish? You could get a little betta fish or something. They're fairly easy to take care of, small, colorful, and have funny personalities for such tiny animals (my betta fish knew my face and would wave his fins angrily at anyone else who tried to use my computer).

[LOL Robbery]

It's very hard to actually fully get over phobias. Usually you would totally immerse yourself in whatever your afraid of, like go around a lot of fish. But...I don't know. Hypnotism could work also.

Oh, about Atlantis...you aren't talking about the mythological lost city...right? Maybe I'm just reading you wrong.

[turbid blue]

LOL Robbery

It's very hard to actually fully get over phobias. Usually you would totally immerse yourself in whatever your afraid of, like go around a lot of fish. But...I don't know. Hypnotism could work also.

Oh, about Atlantis...you aren't talking about the mythological lost city...right? Maybe I'm just reading you wrong.

Atlantis.

[Lady Kitri]

Just remember, those fishies aren't likely to smash out of that tank. And if they do, they'll be cut into strips, waiting to be fried. smile

[LOL Robbery]

turbid blue

LOL Robbery

It's very hard to actually fully get over phobias. Usually you would totally immerse yourself in whatever your afraid of, like go around a lot of fish. But...I don't know. Hypnotism could work also.

Oh, about Atlantis...you aren't talking about the mythological lost city...right? Maybe I'm just reading you wrong.

Atlantis.

Wow, I feel retarded now. Thanks for the clarification.

[Roast of Rump]

Like the others said, slowly introduce yourself to fish. I really think you should get some goldfish. Your boyfriend could mainly take care of them until you feel comfortable enough around them to do it yourself. Work your way up.

[Wacko Quacko]

Awww, the Boston Aquarium. There's like a big tube filled with a variety of fish in there (and pengiuns and other stuff).

So, did that fear really stem from your imagination? What types of thoughts do you get when you're near anything fish related? Like make a list or something? "When I'm near a lake, I feel..."; "When I'm near the ocean, I feel..."; "When I see pictures of fishes, I feel..." I guess rate your fear on a 1-10 scale.

[turbid blue]

Wacko Quacko

Awww, the Boston Aquarium. There's like a big tube filled with a variety of fish in there (and pengiuns and other stuff).

So, did that fear really stem from your imagination? What types of thoughts do you get when you're near anything fish related? Like make a list or something? "When I'm near a lake, I feel..."; "When I'm near the ocean, I feel..."; "When I see pictures of fishes, I feel..." I guess rate your fear on a 1-10 scale.

I don't get scared being in lakes or oceans.

What technically scares me is realistic underwater scenarios, whether it's standing next to an aquarium or watching Finding Nemo. I start to freak out and hide my eyes. If I were forced to keep my eyes open I'd probably be on my knees sobbing. So what's that, like an 8 out of ten?

[The Krimson Guard]

Wow, that's an interesting fear!
You could go to a pet store every so often and hang out in the fish section, just to show yourself that they aren't a threat.Or, like other people suggested, get a pet goldfish or Betta and have your boyfriend help you get used to it.

[l Muffikins l]

gonk

[Arcrus Sinclair II]

just imagine, all of them are already cooked up biggrin

try eating more seafoods to gain the feeling of dominance over fish biggrin

[SAILOR STEAMPUNK]

I think you should start cooking! Make a delicious tuna your parmesan-encrusted b***h.




I agree with the other posters, just so I'm not totally unhelpful. Have someone you trust with you and take it slowly.