I have Megalophobia

[InBloom]

It's weird. I never really have to deal with it on a regular basis. But we're planning a trip to New York and a visit to the Statue of Liberty and I'm very freaked out. Not looking forward to it.

 

I've never told anyone really about it, I'm in my 30's. It comes and goes. I can go on airplanes, I can look them straight in the nose from the terminal but to be under it, would freak me out. I used to be afraid to go to the city aquarium because of the huge life-like Whale Statues they have there. I went on a battleship once as a teen and looked in a glass bottom area where you could see the anchor...that scared the living you-know-what out of me. I heart jumped, I kept it all in though. I've never told anyone I have this fear.

 

I think it stems from a dream I had when I was a kid that stayed with me. It was a dream that a huge Godzilla was smashing the town up where I grew up and it was so real, I felt like I was going to get crushed, the stomping noise, the scary feeling and anxiety, boy-oh-boy, it was scary.

 

Anyone else have this fear?

 

I just learned it was an actual Phobia. I'd love to join a group in town if there was one just to talk about it more.

[FitChick]

Don't ever go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

 

Maybe something happened to you as a child. Ask your mother.

[Illusionist]

I feel with you. It may not be Megalophobia in my case, but the emotion behind it is the same and indeed a very old and strong one: fear.

For me it is social phobia, arachnophobia, bathophobia and aerophobia.

 

The fear of large things is a pretty old one I guess. It is about the greatness that stands beyond us. Like the respect that you feel, when you drive towards a very large and dark mountain formation or when you see a giant cargo ship for the first time. In ancient times, people were facinated by very high things, which may be something very human. Best example may be very high mountains, which often were part of legends and tales. The gods of Olympus only being the most popular maybe. Or in modern days, it is the giantism in movies, as giantism in other parts of live may already be pretty normal for us, like in architecture.

So I really can understand your point there, because well, large things can crush you. Just like the fact that some people are afraid to go into caves and mines, because of all the earth above their heads. I think it is very understandable, so don't be afraid to talk about it. Not with everyone, of course, but with your family and friends.

 

However, you can learn to live and deal with your fear, even if it is a hard and long way. First it is important to get second opinions about it and the right way to overcome it. Maybe you should try to see a psychologist. No matter how much you already know about it, it never is wrong to get second opinions about it and to at least have one professional opinion.

[TaraMaiden]

My H has a fear of heights, and his son has a fear of looking UP at tall buildings. Nothing else, just a fear of heights in reverse, if you like. Big things don't faze him.... I think we all have a 'fear of something'..... mine is needles, specifically syringes, and having injections. You have no idea how often I thank my lucky stars I'm not diabetic.........

A phobia only becomes inhibiting when we permit a fear to become more powerful than that of which we are afraid.....

 

I can quite see why something huge would be daunting. But you state in your post that you believe you know what the source or origin of your fear is - and that this phobia has escalated from that point.

 

This is a good start.

 

You might like to research your phobia thoroughly, and see a hypnotherapist. If the phobia is related to a mental origin (your dream) the remedy can be unlocked at source.

 

My phobia is linked to an actual experience, so I needed therapy of a different kind. You'll be glad to know that I suffered no damage(!) and although I still 'have' the phobia, I can control it, it doesn't control me.....

[InBloom]

thanks for the replies...

 

I never thought about seeing a therapist or seeking some sort of 'Cure' for it, I always just deal with it when the situation comes up.

 

I remember also going to the an Air Show as a 10 yr old kid and seeing a huge WWII Bomber and being so freaked out. It gives me the slight shakes just writing about it, ha. But i'm ok obviously, i'm not a nervous wreck, it just gives me chills, the heebie jeebies if you will. I can smile about it though.

 

It's weird too for a time during age 14-15 I was fascinated by the Titanic stories and documentaries about it on TV. Why on earth? But I went to a Titanic artifacts museum once in my 20's and whew, that was hard but I did it.

 

It's interesting TaraMaiden though because looking up at Tall Buildings doesn't bother me. Heights kinda do, though.

 

blah blah blah, anyway, Thanks again for the replies... I think it's something I could overcome

[whichwayisup]

Cognitive behaviour therapy. Look into that type of counseling to help.