Cassette Tape Phobia

[Tori]

Hi,
I have this really really bad phobia of cassette tape, if i see any in the street i run out screaming into the road. and if in college one gets put on my table, i get a mini panic attack and i struggle to breathe, so i was wondering what i can do to help ease this.
I'm not quite sure how it started but I think i really need help, so does anyone have any ideas please?

[Abbie]

Hmm thats quite interesting can you not think of anything that has happened in the past that could of started it? Why not ask your family and friends to see if they know anything about how or why it could of started

[Kim]

Maybe one fell on to you when you were younger or something? I'd say to avoid markets and charity shops, because I find most of them are seen there. Also try to avoid the aisle with blank DVD's in, because some can be seen there. Couldn't you put a dictionary on your desk during languages and other things to try and stop them being put on the desk?

If you see one, try to look away and busy yourself with something else.

[CrazyLea]

I think it's probably better to confront it than avoid it. I just don't know how lol. With heights and spiders etc, they say climb to the tallest building, buy a spider etc.. maybe you could buy a cassette tape, try and look at it, bring it with you etc, as much as possible. That probably sounds pretty silly, but it could work. Also you must be pretty worried about it, so why not go to a specialist or your doctor, talk to them about it, ask what you can do to overcome it..

[Tori]

i feel i need to confront it, i think it started because one time we were listening to a tape and i lept out everywhere, and i think that's how it began. it's the actual tape, not the plastic bit that i have a problem with. people say it might be good to go to the doctors, but i don't want to touch it, there's some at the end of my road, strewn everywhere so this morning me and my mate went to "touch" it, i got quite close so maybe if i do that and try to touch it it might help, as long as i don't push it and make it worse!

[Tori]

oh and they are put on my table to take home with me, which is even worse as they might come unravelled....

[Kim]

I was thinking that it would be pushing it to try and confront it, seeing as you struggle to breathe when one is put on your table. Do you have a problem with the stringy stuff trickle treaters use as a trick, or is it just the cassette tape?

[Tori]

yeah, i do, i have a problem with tape, seaweed, birthday helium balloons and the popper stuff aswell

[CrazyLea]

so this morning me and my mate went to "touch" it, i got quite close so maybe if i do that and try to touch it it might help, as long as i don't push it and make it worse!
I think that's a good way to start. Just keep doing little things like this, just make sure you don't do anything you're uncomfortable with, as that would probably make it worse, I assume. Go to the doctors - the fact you're aware of a problem, and are very willing to get it sorted is a good thing (I think). So that would help.

Obviously, these are just my opinions, but it's what I think I'd do anyway. Also, try do a google search on 'Phobias'. See how others are overcome, it might give you a slight idea of what to do.

[Tori]

mainly by... relaxation cassettes. which for me is a problem, i've not found any other people with cassette tape phobia on the internet either!

[CrazyLea]

That's rather ironic :lol:. And it is a rather unusal phobia, to be honest.

Hmm, well I had a quick glance on the net :p. And here are some things it said.

"Successful treatment usually involves a kind of cognitive-behavioral therapy called desensitization or exposure therapy, in which patients are gradually exposed to what frightens them until the fear begins to fade. Three fourths of patients benefit significantly from this type of treatment. Relaxation and breathing exercises also help reduce anxiety symptoms.

For example, someone who becomes lightheaded during a panic attack and fears he is going to die can be helped with the following approach used in cognitive-behavioral therapy. The therapist asks him to spin in a circle until he becomes dizzy. When he becomes alarmed and starts thinking, "I'm going to die," he learns to replace that thought with a more appropriate one, such as "It's just a little dizziness—I can handle it."


So, with your trying to touch the tape, gradually, you might get over it, providing you do a little bit at a time, and are comfortable etc...

And with the second paragraph, perhaps, when you see tape, or think about tape, instead of getting all irrational/scared, say to youself some things, such as... "It's just tape, it's not going to hurt me, I will be okay." Or something along them lines... improvise, and that might help with it aswell.. just some suggestions. Also, instead of the relaxation tapes, try some relaxation techinques, breathing techniques etc, when you start getting scared..

Might help? Other than go to the doctor, I can't think of anything else, personally..

[Tori]

thanks lea, i'm gonna have to see how it goes and everything, some days i feel more like tackling it than others :/ but i'll try the touching and things :)