I have a very severe phobia of the basic smiley face emoji. I want to know any way to get rid of it or at least calm it down, my last phobia (philophobia) faded out when I started dating but that one wasn't as severe and was from my childhood. This one is horrible just the sight of it can sometimes throw me into an attack so bad I pass out only to continue panicking when I regain consciousness. And it started with my delusions when I thought it was trying to murder me one time. I don't remember what caused that delusion, I usually have issues remembering what caused them. So I can't rely on that bit of logic to help me understand. On some level, I know it can't and won't hurt me, it's just an emoji. But it's like that feeling after watching a horror movie, where you're just on edge even though you know it's just a movie, multiplied. How can I fix this, it's become a social issue and I'm being used as a joke and threatened and harassed with it by most of the people who know.
EDIT: It's not smiley faces in general, just that emoji. I really like drawing smiley faces on everyone, I don't know what's different about that one.
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Wow that's a strange phobia and never come across that before.
As for other people you need to be assertive. Just tell them that its not nice to mock your fears and that it isn't a topic for discussion. Say it firmly and keep repeating it.
I was playing darts for my team one night at halloween and was heavily mocked and laughed at for my spider phobia. Someone then joked they would find the biggest one they could and bring it in next week.
I had had enough by this stage and told them firmly that if they did they would never see me again. They knew I meant it and it killed the jokes dead.
You haven't got to take s... from others you know so take control and refuse to participate in their taunting.
I don't think they understand the severity of my situation. I'm generally a goofy person so people tend to think I'm exaggerating or joking. Joking is my way of telling people about my life and past because it can be hard for people to take in such a difficult conversation but it's important for them to know why I am the way I am. This leads to most of my friends seeing me as nonserious but I don't know how to explain I am serious.
There are other things you can do too such as turn away, change the subject, walk away etc. The most important thing is don't react as that's what they are looking for. Become a grey rock.
I usually tell them to stop repeatedly or just exit out of the messages and don't respond afterwards leading to them apologizing in person but then they do it again
I will thank you for your advice. It can be difficult to be hard on them sometimes because they are all I have, but I understand I also have to stand up for me to stop me from breaking again.
This has to be hard on you, and I'm so sorry. Adults can act like children at times, and say cruel thing, without thinking. I hope this will soon fade away. Please ignore all the ignorant remarks, and know you are loved.🦜🦜🦜
I've never heard of anything like this. I imagine in a texting world this is very hard to deal with.
De sensitization is the only thing I can think of.
Is this something that happens only when directed at you? Or is it something that if you read a post on here and someone puts an emoji you can be triggered.
I'm concerned because a lot of emojis are used here
Wow, I'm sorry to read you're dealing with this, and that those around you aren't taking it seriously. Whether it's a smiley face or something else, if it's deeply disturbing you, that is all that matters. So, they should be sensitive to that, even if they don't fully understand.
Unfortunately, I don't have any good advice other than to consult a professional (if you aren't already and/or can afford to do so). Also, seek out forums, supports groups, or subreddits related this phobia to find likeminded people.
And if you encounter the emoji --afterwards or during -- try repeating a comforting mantra or deep breathing: slowly inhale 4 secs, hold 7 sec, slow exhale through mouth 8 seconds; it's supposed to calm the nervous system and alleviate the panic response.
Thank you, I will keep that in mind and keep looking, but it seems to be something I'm alone on. I found people with similar phobias but never with the same. You're advice about seeing one is very much appreciated as that's the hardest part of this phobia, being triggered so easily and frequently.
No problem. While you may not have found anyone else , it's good you're talking about it at least. That takes a lot of courage. And it may inspire others to share novel phobias they have.
Yeah, thank you, at this point I'm not worried about what people will think. I just wanna get it out there and find anything that might be able to help me, you know?
I have seen it on Balloons, and yes, it is scary when you turn around to see that. For me, that is linked with clowns, in parades and circuses. I don't like crowds, so I don't go to parades.
I have a fear of the words 'good morning'. Not good afternoon or good evening; just 'good morning'. I can't say "good morning". Even when other people say it I get a little irritated sometimes really irritated depending on how I slept the night before. I don't know why I get that way but for some reason I hate the phrase 'good morning". Although, I don't pass out like you do, but I do sometimes get quite angry when people say it or when they rub it in that I don't say it back. I can't handle saying it back.
Is it the original one, like from the 60's? Maybe it's triggering a past life trauma...or present life one...but I'm a believer that phobias can stem from past lives. Desensitization may help. Expose the image to yourself when you are in a safe and supportive environment, and work through the process of getting through the emotions. In time, it won't trigger you as much, if at all.
I think Dolphin has the answer - desensitisation. AND when people won't recognise your problem, send them a message back, full of nothing but smiley faces. It might help densitise you, and then you write PLEASE STOP! If they don't get it after that, I would detach from those insensitive creatures.
Not forever, necessarily. Just long enough for them to get the message, and then they'll either message or phone you - if they're stupid - asking what's up, or with an apology and stating that they understand. It's actually an unusual phobia, up there, as Midori says, with clowns, etc, so it's understandable if they just refuse to believe you, but you've got to make 'em stop. Good luck.
Thank you, and I'm definitely going to do that. I've just recently been putting up boundaries and sticking to them, so it's time for me to stick to this one.
The advice to get over any phobia is to “face your fears.” If you can’t deliberately look at the emoji right now, you can “play a movie,” and imagine you’re doing so. Go into as much detail as possible. Imagine you’re describing your intentions. “I’m pulling out my phone. I enter my passcode. This time I’m really going to do it. I’m going to look at the emoji.”
Eventually you might find you can look at it. If it’s overwhelming, try five seconds, then take a break. But keep facing your fears it’s the only way to get over them! Hope that helps and isn’t too frightening of a post.
I’m dealing with my phobia of working. I have a job but being there sends me into a panic attack. I’m so afraid I’m going to get yelled at by management, or have dissatisfied customers, but I keep showing up. I’m “facing my fears.”
I'm really sorry to hear about your phobia, that one must be incredibly difficult because it interferes with an important part of your daily life, but I'm glad to hear you're facing your fears to get over it. I have aphantasia so I can't picture it, or imagine myself seeing it. I have to actually see it to know what it looks like. And I know a lot of people say that you just have to train yourself to get over it, but I can't. I've had it my whole life so I can't even imagine what it would be like to not have it.
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