Reflection: I used to have these weird fear of ceiling fans falling down while in motion. Those whirring electrical appliances usually appeared like monsters straight out of Hades. It was so bad that I watch out for them whenever I get to a new place and always ensure I do not sit directly under them for fear they might disconnect and fall off to cause a bloody accident. As an undergraduate this fear tormented me for years every time I go for lectures. Peradventure the available seats on the lecture room are directly underneath a ceiling fan, I would prefer to stand at the edge of the class or leave the class.
I could not confide in anyone and kept on suffering silently. It was a unique phobia, one that I couldn't find a name for in the dictionary so I secretly christened it 'Ceilingfanophobia'. When it got to much to bear, I decided to face the fear head-on. This wasn't the first time I would dare such. As a kid, I was extremely shy and had a great fear of crowds and open places. I came to recognize this condition as Agoraphobia.
I was brilliant and loved to give speeches and engage in debates but feared the unwanted attention that came along with it. That fear prevented me from pursuing so many dreams I had. For example, I wanted to join Press Club in S.S.S.1 but the fear of being the cynosure of all eyes made me slink back into my shell. At another time, I was afraid of being appointed a school prefect because of the attention they command. I just wanted to be left on my own, a part of the crowd and not being under pressure to 'expose' myself.
By the time I got to 100 Level in the University, I discovered a totally new world entirely. I determined to overcome that fear and began to deliberately involve myself in activities I had always avoided while during my early years. I started taking responsibilities such as group leader whenever lecturers give us assignments. I even joined the departmental football team and didn't mind that I'm usually placed me on the bench as a substitute during big matches even though I never missed evening training.
When I was in 200 Level, I contested for Assistant General Secretary at Departmental level and won. This gave me more prominence. That same year, I co-founded Students' Health Club with two of my friends and course-mates, Anisere Khadijat and Kolawole Ebenezer (The Students' Health Club is still functional till date in University of Ilorin, Nigeria and it gives me great joy knowing that I was a part of something so innovative and daring).
As a penultimate year student in 300 Level, I contested for Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) at Faculty level (Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin) in 2016 and even though I didn't win, the thrill of chasing something so great was an unforgettable experience.
Nonetheless, the palpitations, trembling and fear were always there during all these ventures but I hid them behind a pseudo-confident smile and a proud gait. People thought I was bold but underneath, I was scared of failure and afraid people would scorn and deride me. Nevertheless, with time I began to overcome my fear of crowds and open places until it seemed it was never there.
By the time I was about graduating, I was one of the most popular students in my Faculty, a feat I never deemed possible when I began the journey. I faced my fear head-on and overcame it. I deliberately placed myself in the centre of situations that I feared until they loosened their hold on my emotions. I later discovered this strategy is regarded in psychology as 'Exposure Therapy' but mine was self-administered.
However, 'Ceilingfanophobia' did not appear to easily yield to the same tactic. I could hardly bring myself to deliberately sit underneath a ceiling fan. My heartbeat skyrockets and I begin to sweat profusely by merely sighting it and I was always on the lookout for them. Rather than concentrate on whatever task I'm on, streams of negative and bloody thoughts fill my mind as I imagine the possibilities of the sudden detachment of its screws and the accidents it would cause.
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I could not confide in anyone for fear of being ridiculed yet online searches yielded no results. It appeared I was alone in my plight. After graduation, I kept on living with my personal demon until I eventually discovered a method which worked. I started to ignore it. It wasn't easy at first but soon I would have sat under a ceiling fan for several minutes before realizing it. Minutes turned to hours and hours turned to days. After several months I overcame it totally and I'm so grateful to God for the relief and peace of mind that came with my freedom from the clutches of 'Ceilingfanophobia'.
Now: There are thousands of phobias and it is important to know that while you're not alone in your fear, overcoming it is not an impossible task. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that 8% of U.S. adults have some type of phobia source . Most times, they hinge upon past experiences, especially the ones that occur during early childhood. For example, I never had a fear of heights (Acrophobia) because I was raised in an apartment at the topmost floor of a three-storey building in the heart of Ilorin, Nigeria and was used to seeing evey other thing from above. Some of the most common phobias include Acrophobia (fear of heights), ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), aerophobia (fear of flying), cynophobia (fear of dogs), astraphobia (feat of thunder and lightning), trypanophobia (fear of injections), claustrophobia (fear of small places), glossophobia (fear of public speaking)
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Hundreds of other phobias can be found here. Interestingly, there are thousands of weirder phobias that have continually haunted humanity for centuries so you're not alone if you start trembling or develop accelerated heartbeat, hot flushes, dry mouth and nausea simply because you see chocolates or you're away from your mobile phone for an elongated time. The fear of chocolates is Xocolatophobia while the fear being without your mobile phone or unable to use it due to low battery or lack of service is commonly regarded as nomophobia. Arithmophobia is a fear of numbers which originates from a dread of Mathematics as a subject while growing. Xanthophobia is an intense fear of the colour yellow and any object with that colour. You can learn more on weird but existent phobias here
It is also intriguing that there is Phobophobia which is an intense fear of phobias themselves and even though scientific studies and research reveal that most of these fears are unfounded as in the case of ceilingfanophobia , they exert tremendous influence on the health and emotions of their victims. However, psychotherapy has proven to be one of the most effective modes of treatment for phobias. By utilizing exposure therapy as I did with my fear of ceiling fans or cognitive behavioural therapy, you can gain mastery over your phobias. Medications can also help reduce anxiety, panic and other symptoms that accompany the conditions.
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In conclusion, it is important not to feel overwhelmed by your fears. Nevertheless, you need to identify your condition and genuinely believe that you can and will overcome it. There is so much you can achieve if only you can gain mastery of your feelings, ideas and emotions. Just as I overcame my phobias, you can also do same. You are capable of greater things so do not let your phobias limit you. Being able to achieve this gives you the emotional strength and willpower to pursue your visions, career and other life endeavours with ease.
Have you ever experienced (or you're experiencing) a weird phobia? I would love you to share it in the comment box. I am Philips Afolayan, a psychotherapist and relationship consultant. I wish you a positive mindset and victory in overcoming your fears. You can do it!
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