Kristen, i'm 18, i now live in kent, ohio for college. I'm going to be a nurse.

So just recently i've looked into my fear and i think that i really do actually have a phobia. i believe i have selachophobia, the fear of sharks. It's rather strange because when i was younger, i remember not being able to wait for shark week and i loved it, i was never afraid to go into the ocean or anything.
but now, i cannot even see a picture of a shark without just about having a heart attack. now, if i make myself sit there and watch a show on sharks, at first it's hard to do but then i can calm down enough to see it. UNLESS they show a picture of the shark with it's mouth open. and typically that happens often in a shark show. i can go into the ocean, but as soon as i think about there being a possibility of a shark, i have to go to more shallow water. and once i was in the ocean and a group of dolphins swam by, but all i saw were the dorsal fins, i didn't get back in for the rest of the day.
my phobia isn't ruining my life, or hurting my day to day existence. I'm not too worried about the effects it has on me. it's just rather annoying when all of your friends post pictures of ones up, or you're looking at someone pictures and they randomly have a shark from an aquarium or something there.
and to be honest i feel rather ridiculous. i don't even live near an ocean. all well i guess. =]

Hello Kristen, and welcome to Ofear
Don't be ashamed of your phobia! Trust me we all fear even more stupid stuff, there's no need to feel ridiculous! :laugh:

kristen,
i have a friend who was born and raised in florida, and she is petrified of sharks. in the four years ive known her ive gotten her down to the beach once (we live on maui...) and she wont even get into freshwater SWIMMING POOLS at nighttime because shes so afraid of sharks. its rather interesting actually, becuase shes very rational about pretty much everything else.

I am 27, born raised and living in Calcutta, India. I have had suriphobia (fear of mice) for all my life that I can recall.

Hello Deepali

Im snooks and im based in Sydney Australia, welcome to the forum.

I can handle mice and rats so i guess im fortunate, but i must admit i wouldnt like to be walking in and around wild ones.

I guess the heat and population density in your country does encourage them

Welcome to Ofear Deepali!

I like Indian food, and hence I already like you. Congratulations!
Now go cook me some form of dhal dish!

Hi I'm Kate and I'm 43. I live in London and I have an extreme fear of doctors.. I had a very bad childhood which caused my phobia.. Im so unhappy.. I want to try and understand what's wrong with me.. I am embarrassed by my phobia and I always feel so stupid.

I'm 26 & I'm from Oregon.

I am 45 yrs old and living in Louisiana. I've had anxiety/panic issues ever since high school.