Posted by Dinah on March 5, 2013, at 22:24:41
In reply to Re: Dipping my toes in CBT again » Dinah, posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2013, at 21:32:43
It's classified as a phobia, though I don't really see the difference between it and OCD.
I compare it to my fear of rats. I really am afraid of rats. We recently had rats in the shed, and I don't care how much bleach we use, I'd just as well throw out anything that reeks of rat. I'd probably go to fair extremes if I were ever in a an enclosed space with a feral rat. I won't include pet rats in this. It's the big Norway rats I fear. The ones who look you in the eye with contempt. I'll probably never pass by the hole under my neighbor's house without thinking of the rat who paused and stared at me once. So there is that sense of consciousness with the rat as well.
But I'd never really say I have a phobia about rats. I don't avoid anyplace it isn't entirely sensible to avoid. I don't refuse to go to my car because I once saw a rat about to go under the neighbor's house. I don't consider every situation in terms of the likelihood (no matter how remote) of rats being part of it. I don't find my life restricted because I'm afraid of rats.
It's a different thing altogether to have a severe phobia/obsession than it is to simply fear something.
poster:Dinah
thread:1039325
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20120922/msgs/1039669.html