Thetownend.com

When I was a young ‘un (12 ish) me and me mates went to a place called Copenacre just outside Corsham. Part of the site was a quarry and great blocks of sandstone were piled on top of each other, leaving tunnels between them where a 12 year old could crawl.

Despite being close to bottling it I eventually joined my mates to join in the crawl. There were different tunnels going off in all directions and I eventually got disorientated and couldn’t find my way out of the stony maze. Ever since I’ve been absolutely petrified about going into small spaces. If I’d been one of those Thai kids who had to go through those cave tunnels to get out I’d still be down there now.

I went in there too!  :cry:

I worked at the civil service at Copenacre from 89 to 93.  The quarrys at Copenacre, Monks Park and Spring Quarry had a load of people working in them.  They were where storage of parts for Royal Naval ships were and also reputed to be where the government would go in case of a nuclear war.

Gephyrophobia.

The seven one is proper messed up. I start to get sweaty hands if we pass M32 going that way.

Fear of going under or over? or just them in general?

Mines similar. I.E driving wise I can't go somewhere and come back exactly the same way. So if i'm driving to Swindon i'll g M25 M4. On the way back i'll cut down to the M3, or do vice versa.

Just over. Also includes small foot bridges...

Sharing food/cutlery/crockery/mugs etc. Not even with the misses.

I'll share food/drinks with you, but you'll have to get your own plate or whatever and I'll give you some. Touch my plate, though, and I won't be happy.

Heights, mostly open ones - so going up ladders is fun to watch I imagine.  Even watching things on TV can send me into full sweaty palmed mode, in fact, just typing about it has.

Deep water - especially without a side in near view.

Flying - imagine my fun on Atlantic crossings!

All sound inner ear/vertigo related

Turophobia.

Other than that it was always heights that got me, or rather real or perceived danger of falling. I've battled it to a certain extent and can get up to the apex of a house on ladders.

Thinking about it, my claustrophobia is probably worse, I just don't ever really have to confront it.

Both times my Mrs was pregnant I was utterly convinced that she was going to die during childbirth. To the point where I would make detailed plans on how I would cope with bringing up kids on my own.

Had the snip last Friday so hopefully that's been put to bed now.

Ah ok. I do slightly but more so on those "three wire" type ones!

There was a narrow "bridge" I walked once, which was actually an aqueduct (well an irrigation channel to be anal) along a Levada in Madeira. It was either walk on the unrailed "path" one foot wide or get in the channel of water. I opted for the latter. Gorgeous views but I was shitting myself at several parts.

Everything mentioned so far is vertigo or adsd. We've all got one or the other somewhere in the makeup. Flick that lightswitch 10 times now...

Phobophobia.

Apart from that I fear nothing.

Nothing is real scary when you think about it though

Nope, that would work if it was just feeling odd when looking down.  Mine is combined with constant thoughts of what would happen if I fell or jumped with the heights one.  It is worse with open heights - so I can sort of do the Empire State Building (as in force myself) but I cannot stand on the edge of a flat roof even at only 8 feet up.  Deep water is partly the drowning thing, but also the worry of the things that might be under me that I cannot see.

Planes is sensible, they are not meant to be up there, no matter how much the science tells me they can, and obviously do.  That is compounded by the fact they nearly always crash due to stupid small things, they are 38k ft in the air and above 38k feet of water!!!  Being drunk helps, but the Adrenalin makes that hard to achieve as well.

May I suggest a herbal compound of hop strobile, valerian, and passionflower? Take two of these tablets when you're in the boarding queue. They reduce the effect of adrenalin helping you calm a little more. Can make you a little sleepy but I'd say it relaxes. Then try and rationalise the other bits. Most peoples flight fear is during take off and/or landing. When we're gliding at 40k ft it's a generally more serene experience.

I generally like flying but there is one tiny part that I dislike and it's a feeling of compression between take off and reaching altitude, as we climb the footage. Once the plane has levelled off I'm usually fine. Weirdly, the longer the flight the better, for me.

Anyway, if you haven't tried it, the herbal remedy is widely available, relatively cheap and worth a go :)

Very similar phobias to me, my fear of heights is odd in that I cannot go up 6 ft on an exposed ladder without shaking, but I have climbed up church steeples through scaffolding and been ok, done Striding Edge etc?

Likewise flying now terrifies me, was fine until my 30's then we had a really turbulent flight on a small plane and both me and the missus just hate it now. Used to manage it with valium and a couple of pints pre flight but not sure if that's and option now I am on AED's, plus it's not really an option if you are driving after the flight.

I don't have any phobias at all, never have done, but I do have a fair few superstitions but thats a whole new ball game.

snakes or large spiders getting too close to me but I've been lucky. so far.

also, whenever the opposition are in possession in the Swindon half.  not always so lucky there.

If you ever wish to get over those phobias I help run a company that does handling sessions with both of those as well as scorpions, I have 2 large spiders and 2 snakes and they are friendly at most times ;) we have a total of 10 spiders of tarantula size and 30 snakes between us.

Mushrooms, ever since I was a kid. 

Don't worry, the snakes and spiders are probably shitting themselves as well.  :)

I sense you are not taking my phobias very seriously, WB ;)

I'd have thought your business would be better at getting problem debts paid up promptly, PV.  A good if scary  suggestion though.  Website or by appointment?