When the Fear Takes Over: The Famous People with Specific Phobia Disorders
Each person has at least one fear that they struggle to overcome. For some, it’s heights or public speaking, while for others, it could be something as seemingly trivial as a fear of clowns or small spaces. However, some people suffer from specific phobia disorders, which is when a fear of a particular object or situation becomes overwhelming to the point of causing significant distress or impairment.
The fear and anxiety that come with these phobias can be debilitating, even for successful individuals. Let’s take a look at some famous people who have publicly shared their struggles with specific phobia disorders.
Oprah Winfrey – Fear of Balloons (Globophobia)
Oprah’s fear of balloons, also known as globophobia, is no secret. In fact, it’s a recurring theme on her talk show, where she often shares that the popping sound that balloons make causes her significant distress. Her fear is so real that she’ll avoid being around balloons at all costs.
While balloon popping may seem harmless, Oprah’s phobia is a genuine issue that affects her life. She’s publicly shared that she avoids events that could have balloons, and if she’s confronted by them, she’ll ask someone else to take care of them.
David Beckham – Fear of Birds (Ornithophobia)
David Beckham, the former footballer and fashion icon, has ornithophobia, a fear of birds. Beckham is so scared of them that he’s admitted that seeing birds native to his home country in LA can be a nerve-wracking experience for him.
Beckham’s fear is so intense that he admits he’ll jump over a fence to avoid birds, even if it’s in an embarrassing situation. He’s also mentioned that his phobia has worsened over the years.
Justin Timberlake – Fear of Crawling Insects (Entomophobia)
Justin Timberlake, the multi-platinum artist, and actor, has an irrational fear of insects that crawl, entomophobia. Timberlake has revealed that his fear of bugs started when he was ten years old and discovered a massive spider on his foot in his sleep.
His phobia reached its peak in the early 2000s when he was on tour as a pop star. He reportedly refused to stay in hotels that had bugs, and he would instead sleep on the tour bus. He’s also been vocal about how his phobia can get embarrassing, causing him to jump or scream when he sees an insect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having a specific phobia disorder is more common than you think. Celebrities who seem invincible have phobias too. The fear and anxiety that these individuals experience are genuine and can impact all aspects of their life. However, it’s important to note that these fears can be treated with therapy, medication, or a combination of both. It’s admirable that these famous figures have spoken up about their struggles, reducing the stigma of specific phobia disorders and helping millions of people feel less ashamed of their fears.
