I am a journalist working for Barcroft Media UK ­ we are an international
press agency that provides news and features for magazines and newspapers.

I am writing an article about unusual phobias with particular reference to
the phobia of washing (I believe it¹s called Ablutophobia) and phobia of
holes or clusters of holes (Trypophobia).

I am looking for person who has made a recovery from one of these phobias
or
has experienced improvement with the help of your organisation.

I am interested to know what the prevalence of these phobias is in the UK
and what the most effective treatments are for them.

It will be a positive article focusing on the recovery process and will
hopefully encourage others to seek help for their anxieties.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in sharing their experiences
please don¹t hesitate to pass on my details.

It would involve a casual interview (via phone or email if convenient) and
some photographs.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

Isla Harvey
Reporter

Barcroft Media
Unit 9, 14 Southgate Road
London, N1 3LY


If anyone would like to help out please pm me and I will contact Barcroft Media directly and give you there email and phone details.

Thanks

John

I am currently receiving treatment for trypophobia, which I have had since childhood. I am 62 years old. My sister also suffers from it. She is 57 years old. I am seeing both a psychiatrist (who has prescribed medications) and a psychologist. I have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and OCD. The OCD diagnosis is because the phobia has pretty much taken over my life. I have been feeling better with the anxiety issue, but the phobia is still alive and kicking. I am working with the psychologist to deal with the phobia. It'll probably take some time since I also have issues with man-made images, such as car tail lights and wheelcovers and anything else with an uncomfortable pattern. If you wish to correspond with me, my email is <!-- e --><a href="mailto:emilie1031@yahoo.com">emilie1031@yahoo.com</a><!-- e -->. I look forward to hearing from you.

Emilie

I know for a fact that trypophobia is not unusual. I can't say for sure how many people have it, but I've seen lots of people react rather awkwardly to such things, and few who didn't. It is extremely unlikely that I just happened to meet the dozens around me who had it, while everyone else around me who never saw these things were just the ones who didn't have the phobia.

Thus, I would neither classify it as unusual, or associate it with Ablutophobia, as that is a truly uncommon phobia.