My fear is worrying me a lot lately, and it's getting really annoying. Just so you know, this fear is not irrational! I have gotten hurt very badly because of tickling. So can anyone help me with my fear? I'm starting to think I'm always being tickled! HELP ME!

So is your fear that of being tickled, or how you react when you are tickled?

You said you were hurt previously....what happened?

(10-30-2012 08:46 AM)Snooks Wrote:  So is your fear that of being tickled, or how you react when you are tickled?

You said you were hurt previously....what happened?

Well, it's a mixture of being tickled AND how I react. In my early childhood, my grandpa would hurt me while tickling me, making me have bruises on my hips and ribs. I'm scared of how I react because whenever I get tickled (My body is very ticklish) I bump into things, always ending up in even more bruises . Kinda like that, except not on purpose. Also, my dog "yells" at me when I get tickled, and sometimes hurts me even more. This is what made me so afraid of tickling, so if you have any advice that doesn't involve talking, because my family is sort of strict, give me the advice ASAP.

If you could reply by the end of the year that would be great!

(11-11-2012 07:30 AM)ph413 Wrote:  

(10-30-2012 08:46 AM)Snooks Wrote:  So is your fear that of being tickled, or how you react when you are tickled?

You said you were hurt previously....what happened?

Well, it's a mixture of being tickled AND how I react. In my early childhood, my grandpa would hurt me while tickling me, making me have bruises on my hips and ribs. I'm scared of how I react because whenever I get tickled (My body is very ticklish) I bump into things, always ending up in even more bruises . Kinda like that, except not on purpose. Also, my dog "yells" at me when I get tickled, and sometimes hurts me even more. This is what made me so afraid of tickling, so if you have any advice that doesn't involve talking, because my family is sort of strict, give me the advice ASAP.

Hello, ph413. For myself being tickled, especially my feet, drives me crazy and I can't handle it, though, for me, it's done in fun. I can see why you would be fearful of being tickled because you were hurt and bruised by it, seems more like abuse to me. You also say that after being tickled you bump into things which causes even more bruising. For you, it's all very negative thing and I totally understand your fear of tickling because of the way it happens.

The only thing I can suggest is to be quite 'verbal' when someone tries to tickle you. What I mean is be kind but serious, and tell the person trying to tickle you to not do that as tickling does have an abusive quality to it from your past experience. You don't have to say more than that, then take yourself out of the situation. I hope this helps somewhat.