This document discusses several different phobias, including social phobia, catoptrophobia (fear of mirrors), aphenphosmphobia (fear of being touched), and anthropophobia (fear of people). It provides descriptions of the symptoms and causes of each phobia. It then shares a first person account of someone suffering from anthropophobia, describing their irrational fears of people and avoidance behaviors, as well as the negative impact the phobia has had on their life and relationships.

1. PHOBIA By: Corrine Hawthorne

11. I always feel that people are surrounding me. They are closing in on me. Are people dangerous? It is scary to think about what goes on in peoples minds. They could be violent. People are crazy.

12. The touch of people feels like nails in my skin. It is painful. People always hurt you. They never stop hurting you. Every inch closer they get to me the more pain I experience. I am scared of he pain that comes along with people. It causes me to stay away from all individuals.

13. My fears keep me from doing so many things. I am a junior in high school and I have never been to a school dance. I am ashamed to show my face to myself. If I can’ even look myself in the face why should others want to look at my face. These fears hold me back but I just can’t get away from them.

14. My own family can’t touch me. Do you know what it is like to not get a good nigh kiss from your own mother because the touch of her skin is the equivalent to knives in my neck? I don’t know how much more I can take. I am scared that without some therapy I will not succeed in life.

15. I wish that I could feel the touch of a friend. I don’t even know what it is like to have friends. It looks nice. My only friends are the ones that look at this slide show. My life is ruined because of this fear.

16. My sister tried to force me to look into the mirror once. I screamed for hours. I don’t think she ever realized how serious my condition was until she did that. That was my first anxiety attack. Once my sister realized that I was not playing around she rushed downstairs to get my paper bag. Deep breathing always helps me to relax.

17. Why am I so afraid of myself? They make me feel watched and followed. I also never liked the idea of me looking into my own eyes. It is creepy! MIRRORS ARE THE WORST THINGS EVER.

18. I backed myself into a corner…… AGAIN!

19. In the morning before I go to school. I do a breathing technique that helps me relax before I adventure into the real world/school. If I don’t do this in the mornings my heart beat increases rapidly and I feel faint.

20. I wish I had the money to get a therapist. I need help. I have to get rid of my phobias. They are going to ruin my life completely……if they haven’t already. I am scared.