Thursday, March 3, 2011

Hormephobia: The Fear of Shock


Hormephobia is the irrational and persistent fear of shock.  This can be an electrical shock like from an electric fence or a static electricity shock. Those who suffer from this phobia avoid getting shocked at all costs and they’re afraid to touch anything when there is a lot static in the air.

A phobia is a strong, persistent fear of situations, objects, activities or persons.  The main symptom is an excessive and unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. Other phobia symptoms include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and an overall feeling of dread.  Phobias are the most common form of anxiety disorders.

Do you suffer from Hormephobia?  Please share your story.  How was it triggered and how does it affect your life?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have this phobia but I try to rub my hand before touching conductive things

Gideon said...

Oh, I'm deadly terrified of static electricity. LOL. Whenever I get shocked, I take a mental note of where I was shocked and try to avoid it.

Caseihfarm21 said...

I have to look for special Coats and Clothing in the Winter Time That won't have much Static and then When I Do Wear Coats I Dread taking Them off and Have to Take Them Off Real Slowly.

Anonymous said...

I got hormephobia from those plastic slides which have some static. I attempt to avoid any static shocks if I can.

Anonymous said...

I definitely have this phobia. Anytime I have to open a door which has a metal handle I have to slap my hand against the handle and grip instead of latching with my fingers. I found that, if I do get shocked, it will be less painful on the palm of my hand then the tips of my fingers. I can't wear anything polyester or wool....ever. I live for the warmer months because the air is less dry and therefore less chance of static. It drives my wife nuts but anytime we go to hug or kiss I have to first slap my hand against her arm in case she might shock me.

Anonymous said...

I definitely have this. Anytime that I must open a door with a metal handle I slap my hand against the handle and grip it tightly, as opposed to wrapping my finger tips around the handle. My logic is that shock hurts less on the palm of the hand then the finger tips. Also, I can't wear anything polyester or wool...ever. I live for the warmer months because the air is less dry and therefore less chance of static. It drives my wife nuts but any time we go in to hug or to kiss I have to slap my hand against her arm or something just in case she might shock me.....ugh. It's a fear I've had for a long, long time.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to find I'm not the only one who goes through this. When the weather turns cold, I am afraid of touching anything metal, because I know I'll get shocked. I have stood in front of my locker for up to 5 minutes at a time trying to open the locker without touching it (an impossibility). I try to grab metal door handles with the long part of my fingers, and I take my hubby with me grocery shopping so that I don't have to touch the buggy or canned food. What caused it? The pain of being shocked, and then hearing horror stories about injuries caused by mega-shockings.

EM said...

I frequently will use my keys to release the static shock before touching a metallic object with my hands (i.e. my locker, a door handle, a rail). The shock is less intense. Otherwise I will pause, touch the area around the metallic object (a wall, the glass portion of the door) before touching the metallic object. The worst is when there are people around you and they give you this look like you're crazy. Luckily I'm usually by myself.

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