Hey, im new to this forum, but i want to get straight to the point here.
I have a phobia of large paintings, and i dont just mean a large portrait you see in a Museum or in a house on the wall, i mean murals the size of football pitches, on ceilings, especially those in Churches/Cathedrals, but a large painting painted on the side of a wall would suffice. I dont know where this fear has come from, I never used to have it! Ive been to several Cathedrals as a child and I was fine, and then i started to develop this fear last year some time, though i did used to find large pictures etc imposing beforehand, but nowhere near as intimidating as i find them now.
I am lucky because i dont have to come into contact with these things every day, as Im not required to visit churches/cathedrals often (Thank Heavens!) but I am at the end of my tether with this irrational phobia, because i keep dreaming of them. Every time i sleep, i dream of being trapped in a room which seems to go on forever, every collosal wall painted with intricate pieces of art, faces looming down at me. I have had dreams where im trapped, feeling that im stuck to the floor, sobbing and hiding my head, and feeling like i want to kill myself, and i have also dreamt that the walls of a room which i am in have painted themselves around me. I had a dream last night which left me a nervous wreck when i awoke, and each time i opened a door i was scared that i'd be confronted with a room full of endless paintings.
I have tried to research this phobia but i can find nothing of it. When i tell family members about it, they seem to laugh and not realise how bad this is effecting me, and dismiss it very easily and I am left with no one to talk to! I have even discussed it with my Tutor at my Psychology classes, but even he made a joke about the Cistine Chapel! I dont feel that anyone takes me seriously. This is starting to cause me severe stress, and i find myself not wanting to sleep!
Sorry about the long post, i just hope someone understands! Thankyou for any help you give, ANY is appreciated. Thankyou.

Hello Freya'

Welcome to the forum

Im afraid i cant help as such, but i certainly do understand the frustration that is caused by friends and family not taking it seriously. Its easy for them to say "Grow Up or "Get Over It"...... but thats exactly what you cant do...a phobia is a very debilatating condition.

Have you thought about looking into some counselling? It may be of benefit to you.

Hopefully some of the others drop by soon and have some suggestions

Regards,
Snooks.

Every day, try and lay down for a few minutes and in your head, imagine standing next to a large painting or mural, then, imagine the mural/painting getting smaller and smaller, until you look like a giant compared to it. Over time, hopefully this will help.

Dream Dictionary. Pay attention to different things in your dream you see in the murals. Your dreams are your subconscious trying to tell you something.