The other day at pre-school drop-off, I returned to my car and
there was a bee flying all around my door. I stood in front of my car for
awhile trying to figure out how to get in, and finally I ran as fast as I could
to the passenger side rear door, closed it fast, and climbed over and across
into my drivers seat. As I looked up, I saw a row of four-year-olds, my
daughter included, looking at me from the window. Wait, it gets worse!
Three hours later I ran out of my car to pick up my daughter
and, returning to my car, the same bee (to the best of my knowledge) was back!
I thought about it again and took my time deciding on the best strategy for
this play. Finally I took my daughter's hand, ran around to the back again,
climbed both of us into her car seat with her on my lap, and closed the door
quick. I then got out, put her in and buckled her, and then climbed across and
over into my seat. The both of us were laughing so hard at this. My daughter
knows that this is not rational behavior, I, at least, teach her that. What I
have is called a ‘phobia’, and it is not ‘normal’, but yet is very common. Most
people have an irrational fear of something. Mine phobia of bees began at a
young age and my close friends all know this.
When I lived in Bronxville and used to walk into town everyday,
my friend Tara knew without questioning why I had to cross the street on a
certain block to avoid walking past ‘Scary Tree’. Full disclose: ‘Scary Tree’
was actually not even a real tree, it was a telephone pole, but it had a huge
hornets nest in it and the hornets would swarm around it. When I was first
dating John, he once parked dangerously close to Scary Tree when taking me home
from dinner. I almost had an anxiety attack, but I managed to walk past
pretending to be ‘normal’.
Some people are afraid of flying, heights, spiders, dogs, circus
clowns, and I can go on. A Phobia is defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to
great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger
posed, often being recognized as irrational. In the event the phobia cannot be
avoided entirely the sufferer will endure the situation or object with marked
distress and significant interference in social or occupational activities. Yes, that is me around bees!!! And it may be you around something else!!!
What I have is called a ‘specific
phobia’ and these tend to be relatively harmless, albeit annoying at time.
There are some phobias that interfere with life such as ‘social phobias’ and ‘agoraphobia’
(generalized fear of leaving home). Those two types greatly interfere with the
quality of life, often involve panic or anxiety attacks, and require
professional help.
I would categorize my phobia as more of
an annoyance/embarrassment. I still enjoy lots of outdoor activities
and have fun doing so. If you see me outside running past you at a full out
sprint, you may assume I am training for an event or doing my HIIT workout. You
would be wrong; I am running away from a bee!!
Have a spooktacular Halloween!!!
XOX
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treat, cure, or prevent any health problem, nor is it intended to replace the
advice of a physician. No action should be taken solely on the contents
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