I have a fairly weird and specific phobia of fish, in particular goldfish. I am simply terrified of goldfish, there was this commercial once that made me have complete anxiety attacks whenever it came on for a few months when it was being aired (ironically on channels that I watch frequently). Just the sight of a goldfish can cause me distress, let alone one in distress and flapping around. Is it weird that my phobia is even worse when the fish is under distress, injured, or dead? At one point, my issue with the commercial became so bad that even certain shades of orange was beginning to become a trigger for me. I avoided watching tv (or at least the channels where I was most likely to see the commercial).

I also have a general fish phobia as well but it is much more mild, I just can't touch them really. Pet fish are more likely to cause me anxiety than others, mostly because them being in a fish tank reminds me of goldfish. In general however, I can tolerate seeing all other fish with little anxiety besides goldfish, and those that resemble goldfish in some way.

Sometimes I feel abnormal because of my phobia because goldfish seems like a really silly thing to be completely terrified of since they are rather harmless. I know they are harmless and can't hurt me, but that isn't why I fear them. I had a bad childhood experience with them, but I don't think I should go into the details because it may trigger others who may have the same phobia.

I don't have a phobia to more common things such as spiders or snakes, or in the case of my sister, a host of things including thunderstorms. I'm pretty sure I am not alone in my phobia, but I do feel rather strange because of it. It doesn't affect my day to day life much however, considering it is rather easy to avoid goldfish...unless I go to a pet store. I stay away from the fish section of those at all costs, there are a ton of triggers for me there.

I hope I'm not alone here with my phobia of fish, and in particular goldfish.