Travel phobias - do you have one?
By speakeasy
@speakeasy (4171)
United States
January 8, 2008 9:46am CST
We all know about people who are afraid to fly. But, I recently found out that a fear of crossing bridges -gephyrophobia is a lot more common than I thought. Like a lot of people; I thought I was the only one with this problem. Instead I found out my gephyrophobia is actually a mild case.
I have a problem crossing long bridges over water in a vehicle. I can use foot bridges with no problem and the little short bridges that you drive across in a few seconds hold no fear for me. But, a bridge that takes a minute or longer to cross and is surrounded by water scares the crap out of me. I have to force myself to drive over them (as a passenger, I close my eyes and pray silently until we are across).
I did find out that some people also have a similar fear of tunnels when traveling and some people are so terrified of bridges and tunnels, they are unable to go places; no matter how much they want or need to go.
Here is a link to an article about these types of travel phobias - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/nyregion/08bridge.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th
So I now know that I am NOT alone with this fear. How about you? Do you have a travel related phobia?
4 responses
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Just don't make me go into deep ocean water. Thats my big one. On land there's no animal I can't at least make work for his meal. Out there on the ocean it's GULP gone & you'd never see it coming. Freshwater is fine, I can even handle crocs & I can easily swim to the other side. Not so on the ocean. You could swim toward the shore for hours & still not be able to reach it.
O.K. now I've gone & rambled on about my big fear.
1 person likes this
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Does this mean it would be difficult for you to take a cruise or fly over the ocean? Obviously you would not PLAN to go in the water; but, accidents do happen and planes have crashed in the oceans and boats have sunk.
@kimberlylynn (978)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I have a fear of crossing bridges, but never looked up the name. Now I know I'm a gephyrophobic! I'm like you, I can handle walking or driving over small bridges but the long ones over water - yikes! I do better when I'm not the driver. When we recently moved, we had to take 2 cars and drive over some major bridges. I was in one car with the kids and my husband in the other and we had walkie talkies so he could help me along. On one particularly long bridge over a big river, we all came to a quick stop. I was so nervous, I could feel the bridge moving and all I could think about was that bridge collapse last year. There was a wreck and we finally got through it but I had to stop for a while after that and take a breather. My family makes fun of me sometimes but it is a real fear and you have confirmed that! I also hate flying, especially over water. It was rough living overseas and those 10 - 12 hour flights over the ocean. I never slept a second and my arms glued to the seat or my husband. My phobias don't stop me from doing things but I certainly don't like it.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
9 Jan 08
Like you, I don't let my fear stop me; but, I am very tense and almost nauseous, especially on long bridges. It wasn't too bad most places; but, when I lived in MS and we drove to visit relatives in FL, we had to go across some VERY long low bridges surrounded by water and it was really hard going to visit them.
But, I am really glad to know that this is a real phobia and that I am not alone with this fear.
@kimberlylynn (978)
• United States
10 Jan 08
Yeah and actually it got me wondering how many phobias the average person has. I looked at a list and identified 5 that I had. I consider a phobia something that I try to avoid if it isn't too hard (such as a bridge when there is an alternative route not far out of the way). There are some really weird phobias though if you look at the list - like fear of long words or chopsticks! It would make another good topic, but I can't cut and paste yet so maybe when I get up there I will bring it back around again. A great post though, thanks!
@green4success (80)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I, too, am terrified of crossing bridges when traveling, especially over the water. I have had nightmares about bridges since I was a child. I would dream that I the bridge would get bigger and taller as I was crossing it and then I would fall off. I always woke up before I hit bottom though. Small bridges don't seem to bother me unless they are one way. One way bridges are so scary that I will go around the world to avoid going over one.
I don't like foot bridges either, especially swinging bridges. I almost have a panic attack when I have to cross one.
Donna
www.getcleangetrich.com
www.donnablackwell.com
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I didn't have this problem as a child and looking back at my past, I think my fear is basically that the vehicle will somehow go off the bridge into the water and I will be trapped and drown. (I also can't swim, I took lessons; but, they never could teach me.)
The swaying foot bridges don't bother me because they are either very short or the long ones are over things so deep that I know the impact from the fall would kill me and I wouldn't have a chance to drown.
@speakeasy (4171)
• United States
9 Jan 08
I love travelling too; as long as I do not have to go over a long bridge. Once I am on the other side I am fine again; but, actually crossing the bridge is something I fear to the point where I am panicked and feel sick to my stomach.
@petervuto (4)
•
9 Jan 08
I am afraid from rope bridges and high heights.When I go on a high place, the only thing I want is to get closer to the floor..the rope bridge fobia isn't so strong, but I would go around the bridge if possible.
1 person likes this
