Submechanophobia.

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 05/10/2018 at 14:39 • Filed to: None

3

12

I finally discovered that there’s a name for my only major phobia, which I always thought was too specific to have one. But no, it exists, and there’s an entire subreddit dedicated to it. It’s the fear of underwater man-made objects. Like so:

Most people on Reddit are freaked out by shipwrecks and whatnot, but that’s not really what bothers me. I hate the stuff that’s supposed to be there. Have you ever seen a decorative fountain when the water is off and all the pipes and jets are clearly visible? That’s terrifying to me. I can’t even swim near the drains or lights in pools.

HammerheadFistpunch > Rainbow 05/10/2018 at 14:50

3

I used to feel something like that, you know what cured it? Scuba diving. Seriously its amazing how much more calming it is when you can stay under the water for a while. Boat driving over head? no biggie.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Rainbow 05/10/2018 at 14:51

1

And now I know that. Although I think I am afraid/ fascinated by all submerged objects. Fully submerged logs and trees are why I don’t really go in lakes anymore.

atfsgeoff > Rainbow 05/10/2018 at 14:54

1

So, Waterworld is a horror movie for you?

SmugAardvark > Rainbow 05/10/2018 at 14:56

1

Not entirely the same, but I get claustrophobic underwater. I have no problem diving, but the first time I went cave diving and lost sight of the surface, I started to panic. And of course, when you’re cave diving, that is probably the worst possible thing you can do short of cutting your line.

I had a similar panic episode when I was a teenager, doing ocean lifeguard training. We had to practice maintaining C-spine in the water. When it was my turn to play the role of victim, the backboard I was strapped to got dropped by my two colleagues, and I went face-down in about 2 feet of water and promptly freaked the hell out.

WilliamsSW > HammerheadFistpunch 05/10/2018 at 14:57

1

I’ve always heard that fear of heights is actually *more common* in pilots than in the general population.

And I took up flying in part to get over a fear of it - spoiler alert, what I was afraid of wasn’t actually flying, but the loss of control when flying as a passenger.

My citroen won't start > Rainbow 05/10/2018 at 15:02

1

I’m both terrified and fascinated by shipwrecks or abandoned ships. Nice to know there’s a name for that.

HammerheadFistpunch > WilliamsSW 05/10/2018 at 15:05

4

yeah see I’ve got a fear of edges, “ high place phenomenon ” I think they call it. Turns out canyoneering wasn’t a cure at all. Fun though . It is interesting that I don’t mind being on rope, I even feel mostly safe. but being unhooked NEAR cliffs? nah man!

WilliamsSW > HammerheadFistpunch 05/10/2018 at 15:15

0

Yeah, I have experienced that, too- and the idea that it’s a convoluted way of appreciating life makes a lot of sense to me. For me, it’s this fear that I will accidentally get bumped off, or a gust of wind will knock me over, I trip, etc. - - kind of like an indicator of how fragile life is.

The canyoneering photo does look like a blast - though I’m currently too out of shape / old to attempt that.

HammerheadFistpunch > WilliamsSW 05/10/2018 at 15:18

0

The nice thing about canyoneering is that (generally speaking) you are going with gravity most of the trip. So long as the canyon isn’t too technical, there isn’t much too it.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Rainbow 05/10/2018 at 15:23

1

The idea of being under a ship terrifies me. It’s so dark and gross and looming

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > WilliamsSW 05/10/2018 at 15:25

0

im scared of heights.... but flying doesnt bother me... other than a little twitch during take off and landing

once were up high my head just flicks to welp im dead and it stops scaring me

(now climbing ladders or scaffolding... scares the crap out of me)

MM54 > Rainbow 05/10/2018 at 16:47

1

Don’t feel bad. Organic-ish patterns of bumps and holes make me incredibly uncomfortable.