--- In unusualphobias@yahoogroups.com, "bty325861" <jen.lawrence@...>
wrote:
>
> Ive had this problem for so long i cant even remember! basically im
> afraid of the following:
>
> - black seated toilets
> - high tank toilets
> - old toilets
> - toilets that used to have a black seat and have been changed but i
> still know they used to be black (weird i know)
> - boat/plane/porta loo toilets
> - non porceline toilets (steel etc)
> - Toilets of which i cannot see the tank at all
> - when the water is higher than average
> - when water is lower than average
> - when i know that another person can hear what im doing in a toilet
>
> I dont know why i fear all of this, mostly its the high tanks and
> black toilet thing. I believe it started in my old two houses - both
> with old fashioned, black, high tanked toilets. Which i obviously had
> to use. I realised my fear of toilets has worsened when i was
> hospitalised 11 due to not urinating because of the fear & ending up
> causing problems leading to 6 months of a catherter and an operation.
>
> Since then (around 9 years ago), i still fear these toilets, although
> i do not have those problems linked anymore. The fear is awful, i
> jump out of my skin if i notice something i dont like, my heart goes
> so fast, i start to feel the need to run.. a good example of my fear:
>
> In harrods one day last year, i went into the toilets there, looked
> lovely (porceline, gold, posh looking), sat down started to have a
> wee, only to look up to see a tank up high on the wall!! Immediatly
> cut off flow and bolted out of the cubicle so fast the toilet
> attendent asked if i was ok. That was the toilet that tricked me.
>
> Does anyone else have such a fear like me? ive heard of the pipe work
> fears, and the water thing, but not the colour or tanks. Would love
> to hear other peoples stories?
>


Oh yes, you sound like me! Mainly the high tanks, or thats certainly
where it all started.
My parents tell me i have been like this for as long as they can
remember, they even had to change a bathroom as a matter of priority
when we moved as i wouldnt go in! When visiting somebodys house, my
mum would have to excuse me as id run straight up their stairs to
check the toilet!
I cant even go into the cubicle with a high tank. It has progressed
steadily through growing up and it's now:

- overflow pipes
- air vents above my head (if they are to the side, then this isnt as bad)
- hidden tanks
- or tanks at a different level
- and now doors in toilets (if i know i cant get out if the door gets
stuck)

I cant understand myself with this and i havnt given up trying to get
over it all, but it all just gets too much.
I feel like im burning up, going to pass out, i feel sick & i need get
out straight away!

I to am glad other people have similar phobias and i now know im not
on my own!

Rebekah