Fear of frogs. What is the cause?
Like all fears and phobias, frogs fear is created by the unconscious mind as a protective mechanism. At some point in your past, there was likely an event linking frogs and emotional trauma. Whilst the original catalyst may have been a real-life scare of some kind, the condition can also be triggered by myriad, benign events like movies, TV, or perhaps seeing someone else experience trauma.
Ok, I am board at work and I can't remember the chain of thought that made me look this up, but here I am.
I never knew that my "rational" fear of frogs actually had a name, or that there are other people that suffer from this fear. All I knew is that if I saw a frog on the side walk, I would walk through a mud puddle to avoid coming close to the amphibious one. And I use the word "rational" to describe my fear because I know the exact moment it happened.
The above definition states, "At some point in your past, there was likely an event linking frogs and emotional trauma" Ahh, yes. The trauma... the words 'older brothers' should be enough for some of you to understand, but for those of you who never had siblings I'll elaborate.
Picture a 4 yr old girl out playing with her 6 and 10 yr old brother. They have found a large bull frog and with the help of 2 of their friends they beat this frog with sticks until its guts come out. They continue to investigate the insides of this dissected creature, displaying what they find on the end of their sticks. Later that evening, the 4 yr old girl is in bed and sees her sister's clog style shoes on the floor. In the darkness this little girl imagines that these shoes are the relatives of the murdered frog and have come to attack her.
Needless to say, this child develops a small aversion to frogs. Living in southern Florida at the time, frogs were quit abundant... especially those small, slimy tree frogs. Months later the brothers discover their sister's phobia and see the opportunity for entertainment.
Their evil minds begin to churn and soon a thought is produced.
Thought: What would happen if we threw this frog at her?
Reaction: Lots of jumping and screaming!!
Thought: Hummm, that was amusing. Let's try it again
Reaction: Lots of jumping and screaming!!
Thought: Now what will happen if we just pick one up?
Reaction: Lots of jumping and screaming!!
Thought: Wow, we don't even have to throw the frog anymore. Interesting! Let's just say we see a frog
Reaction: Lots of jumping and screaming!!
Thought: hey, this is a really cool game.
Thanks for making me a freak, you sadistic brothers... but I still love you
November 30, 2006
Ranidaphobia
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5 comments:
ROFLOL!!! Sadistic brothers. LOLLOL
Man, I only had Danny to worry about. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you. I had NO idea.
Love you, Rachel
It's good to know I'm also not the only one that has a "rational" fear of a totally harmless creature! I also know the story behind my trauma, although I was too young to remember. Being from southern Fl, I'm sure you're familiar with "frog giggin". Well, my mom & dad went out giggin & when they got home, my dad, not meaning any harm & thinking I would play with it, put a large bullfrog in my playpen. For a long time my parents didnt know what this had done to me. That is until my mom & I had gone to visit my grandparents one night after it had been raining. There were those slimy little tree frogs all over the porch. My mom said I went nuts & literally tried to climb up her to get away from them. My dad & younger brother tormemted me for years - still do as matter of fact! I've even gone as far as locking myself in a car with all the windows rolled up until my mom says it's OK to come out b/c my brother will stand at the window with a frog in his hand waiting on the chance to stick it in my face. Now 30 years later, I'm still scared to death of what I know cant hurt me, but I'm trying to deal with my fear. I collect frogs - stuffed, ceramic, even a tattoo of one on my ankle. I must admit it sounds kinda strange but still to this day a real frog will send me into fits!
wow. i never knew there was a name for it.
I was arguing with my parents that I am not the only adult out there with this unique but very real phobia. I nearly landed myself in the hospital b/c a frog came in my office and I had a panic attack.
me three
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