Published on 12, July, 2020
I wanted to share a couple of unusual phobias I have. I suppose I should start by recognising that they may not actually be phobias. I'm using phobias for lack of a better word to describe them. The definition of phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something. While my responses to these things are extreme (by some people's standards), they could be viewed as rational inasmuch as they stem directly from traumatic experiences. If anyone has a better word to describe them, please let me know. I don't know if it's because of autism that I have these aversions, or because of mental damage that's been caused by past traumas.
The first is people with gaps in their front teeth. Now, many people have gaps in their teeth, but this is quite a specific gap. It's called a diastema and it occurs when the upper lateral incisors are missing, and a gap develops between the two front teeth. I can't interact with people with a diastema. I know it's because of someone from my past, but it has now taken on a whole dimension for me where I mistrust (and fear) people with this characteristic. I instantly associate these people being extremely selfish, power-hungry, and/or immoral.The second one is to do with wearing glasses. Anyone who wears glasses like these......makes me think they are evil, sick or perverted in some way. In some instances, it is true.
This guy has both!
Am I crazy? Does anyone else have specific or unusual phobias?
My unusual phobia is seeing people brush their teeth I cannot stand it its the most disgusting things someone can do infront me
I don't like that either. It's not something I'd actively encourage!
There's a bit of a tooth theme emerging here... interesting.
Yep! that's it, exactly. Cue another one of those "thank God, it's not just me moments".
I'm OK with the sound, but the feel of the brush in my mouth can make me gag and I'm with you on the mirror thing. I can't look.
I love being under the shower. Now you come to mention it, if I brush my teeth too far back (sorry for the imagery) then I vomit quite easily. I have to do it very gently and not look too deeply either.
In fact it's the gaps in the back of my mouth where they extracted some that are overloading me 24/7, but that's enough of thinking about that...
Phew! I don't feel quite as alone. Well, I am alone, but not as alone in my autistic madness as I once thought.
I don't like them it's off putting but not like the brushing of the teeth, I have to brush my teeth in the shower because I can't look at myself in the mirror because I'll throw up if do and also because of the sound of the scraping having the shower on my head helps drown out the sound on my teeth