As you know already, I wrote you offlist already commenting on your
post. What I need to say to the list is, this isn't something I can
explain... it is a very intense fear which since it is irrational
makes it a phobia right? Going to an aquarium is my worst nightmare
and I have that nightmare often. Dreams of being trapped underwater
with a shark chasing me and I cant close my eyes, I cover my eyes
with my hand and my hand is invisible or something. Also, knowing
that I LOSE it when I see a drawing of a shark, I don't see how
going to an actual aquarium or seeing one in person would do any
good. I will probably have a heart attack and die from being scared
to death.

I know that nurse sharks are docile and are not dangerous, I have
done my own extensive research hoping to ease the fear and that only
made it worse. I would like to ask you personally if the outcome
would have been the same if say the nurse shark was a
tiger/bull/white shark? Maybe so, maybe not hopefully you never get
the chance to find out eh?

My question for you is, knowing that this is a phobic list, you
surely have a phobia that you cannot explain. If this is so, then
you might have a slight understanding of what I have to live with.
May I ask you yours?

Thanks again for your response,

Denise
"Selachophobic"


--- In unusualphobias@yahoogroups.com, "Valentina"
<SpiderWoman@A...> wrote:
>
> That is really too sad Denise, as I am a diver, and ast July I got
the pleasure of diving in Belize and actually holding a nurse shark
in my arms and petting it. It was the best experience ever! I watch
the video my friend made over and over.To be there in the creature's
habitat and understand its world, was just amazing! Sharks get such
a bad rap, thanks to all the stupid movies out there. No one bothers
to report that thousands of sharks are being killed all over the
world each year, and that soon they will be extinct. They are
beautiful creatures, that demand respect and love.
>
> Maybe if you startt slowly, like even the touch tank at the Long
Beach Aquarium (which I just love!) , you could learn to at least
LIKE sharks, and see that they are just another animal.
>
>
> Life and Laughter, VALENTINA
> www.CompanyVSkinCare.com (Valentina's new skin care line)
> www.ValentinasSecret.com (The Model)
> www.GalleryValentina.com (The Artist)
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: denisethigpen1
> To: unusualphobias@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 7:44 AM
> Subject: [unusualphobias] Shark Fear
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I am new to the list and just decided to come out with it. I know
> most people have an obvious fear of sharks, but mine goes a lot
> deeper than that. Ever since I was a child (32 now) I have been
so
> afraid of them I can't look at even a cartoon drawing of one. The
> fear grips me when I am watching TV and a commercial will flash
on
> the screen and I scream, shake, cry and zone out. Sometimes
having
> a full panic attack. I even believed that if I went in a swimming
> pool somehow a shark would be there swimming up from below me. I
> live in San Diego which means absolutely no enjoying Sea World or
> any of our beautiful beaches. I believe the thought of "facing my
> fear" would give me a heart attack from scaring myself to death
so
> that isn't an option for me. I have heard of Hypnosis and can't
> imagine how that would work but I would try that to get over this
> extreme fear.
>
> So that is my story,
>
> Denise
>
> P.S.
>
> I really enjoyed the posts that were written previously on this
> subject, until yesterday I believed I was the only freak in the
> world who had this condition. Now if someone could tell me how
to
> cure it, that would be even better.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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