[GirlOfManyFaces]

So I am a junior in highschool and now we have to take psychology. I already had two panic attacks just last week. I don't know how to handle talking about all these things that I've lived through. But nobody knows I have. So people just think I'm weird when I freak out in class. This week in class we are going to be focusing on phobias and I don't know if I can handle that. I have so many phobias and I don't want to talk about them. I don't want to hear other people talk about them either. (Ex. Contreltophobia, androphobia, achluophobia, Pediophobia)

How can I handle this?!?!?!?!?!

I've never asked for help about phobias. So I don't know!
Can you even fix a phobia?!?!

HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

[Agentfyre]

Oh yes, you can absolutely do things to lessen phobias. And it sounds like you can't avoid the class, so you may be forced to face some of them.

Most campuses have some sort of counseling services, I'd highly recommend talking to a professional on campus. If you can learn ways to handle the intense anxiety that may come with class, you'll do just fine. And after that, you may even be able to take some power away from some of those phobias.

Class likely won't expose you to the things that terrify you though, instead it should focus on how those phobias work in us and where they may come from. I'm telling you this to give you some hope. Your class may teach you some things to lessen the phobias simply through understanding them better. Let us know how things turn out!

Originally Posted by GirlOfManyFaces

So I am a junior in highschool and now we have to take psychology. I already had two panic attacks just last week. I don't know how to handle talking about all these things that I've lived through. But nobody knows I have. So people just think I'm weird when I freak out in class. This week in class we are going to be focusing on phobias and I don't know if I can handle that. I have so many phobias and I don't want to talk about them. I don't want to hear other people talk about them either. (Ex. Contreltophobia, androphobia, achluophobia, Pediophobia)


How can I handle this?!?!?!?!?!

I've never asked for help about phobias. So I don't know!
Can you even fix a phobia?!?!

HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

I hope things have gone well for you since you wrote this post, GirlOfManyFaces. It's been many years since I faced the specific problem you're dealing with. But I've always been petrified of public speaking. And in college, I had to take a public speaking class. It was torture although I did have one shining moment when I gave a speech on getting screened for cancer. For some reason that speech was a winner! The others... not so much.

I would agree that getting some counseling or therapy for your phobias would be a good idea. Also there are places that specialize in helping people to overcome phobias. Perhaps you might be able to become involved with one of these, if not now, then at some later date.

I would also suggest you consider speaking with your teacher with regard to your concerns. If your teacher is aware of your concerns, s/he may be able to help you to feel more comfortable as the class progresses.

Good luck with this!

[ombrétwilight]

Hey there, like the others have said, it may be really helpful to speak to your school counsellor about your concerns. She can likely help you to skip the course/speak to your teacher or if that's not possible, work with you so you experience it safely.

However I highly doubt the content will be triggering as it's meant to educate, not freak you guys out. Phobias are definitely tameable! Many suffer from them but with psychotherapy and maybe medication, manage to lead fulfilling and normal lives.

Good luck!