This is so shameful. I haven't seen a dentist since 2005. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 6, 2009 - 44 answers

How can I handle my feelings for my parents during this holiday season? [more inside]
posted by bananaskin on Nov 1, 2009 - 32 answers

I've been with my current girlfriend for about 6 months. We are sexually active and have intercourse about 5 times per week (sometimes more frequently). However, throughout our relationship, my girlfriend has only touched my penis twice. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 19, 2009 - 24 answers

I'm scared of going to the dentist. How do I find one that will understand and how do I prepare myself for going to my first appointment in years? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 16, 2009 - 22 answers

Sudden substernal thyroid surgery dealing with the now and the after. [more inside]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts on Oct 9, 2009 - 22 answers

What type of massage should I try... if any? [more inside]
posted by cheapskatebay on Oct 1, 2009 - 15 answers

Do I give in to wanderlust? Or go back to school for a grad degree in Comp. Engr with an eye to robotics? [more inside]
posted by Rubbstone on Sep 30, 2009 - 10 answers

My bedroom creeps me the #%^* out. What can I do to alleviate my (somewhat) irrational fears? (hacks, consumer products, etc.) [more inside]
posted by the NATURAL on Sep 30, 2009 - 47 answers

[FearFilter]: 15 years ago I experienced an imminent death/serious injury moment that turned out ok. However, I still feel physical chills and tingly feelings even thinking about it. Am I the only one or is this common? Thoughts and stories appreciated. The science is a huge bonus. [more inside]
posted by Funmonkey1 on Sep 28, 2009 - 19 answers

Can a response be classified fear/anxiety if the expected physiological signs evoked by the stimulus are roughly the opposite of what you would expect? Or do some people's bodies respond to fear in this way? [more inside]
posted by adipocere on Sep 22, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm a long-term glasses wearer who is going to try to make the leap to contacts. Problem: I have a really strong flinch reflex/phobia of things going into my eye. What to do about this? [more inside]
posted by paultopia on Sep 9, 2009 - 35 answers

I'm having trouble adjusting to an environment where everyone around me seems to be leaps and bounds more advanced. [more inside]
posted by the_dude on Sep 9, 2009 - 20 answers

How do I combat my knee-jerk racist responses? Recently, I moved from an all-white area to a diverse neighborhood. I am having trouble dealing with my reaction to the many young black males who live in the area. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 28, 2009 - 46 answers

Walking down an uncrowded/empty street, someone of the opposite sex walking towards you. 10+ paces away, they're usually, or may not (sunglasses, distance), be looking at you (sunglasses, distance), 10 paces away, they look away from your direction, between 1 and 2 paces away, they quickly look to see if you're looking at them... [more inside]
posted by porpoise on Aug 25, 2009 - 20 answers

What is this story about someone literally scared to death? [more inside]
posted by ladypants on Aug 12, 2009 - 2 answers

Meltdownfilter: after some traumas I finally fell apart and I'm scared about what, and how long it will take to recover. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 21, 2009 - 7 answers

Published writers, how did you deal with post-sale paralysis? [more inside]
posted by mynameisluka on Jul 11, 2009 - 15 answers

Did you (your wife) eat peanuts while pregnant? Did you child develop an allergy as a result? [more inside]
posted by esereth on Jun 6, 2009 - 52 answers

I am getting extremely anxious about applying to colleges as a transfer student and I need advice on how to deal with it. [more inside]
posted by mind2body on May 10, 2009 - 10 answers

Our dog is suddenly afraid of something and won't leave our side... [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Smith on Apr 27, 2009 - 17 answers

I'm in trouble because I try to ignore trouble. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 22, 2009 - 23 answers

We're trying to get back together, but she has trust issues. How to overcome these? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 16, 2009 - 11 answers

Robbed on the street in daylight - didn't get hurt, didn't lose much, but I'm worried about the anxiety and stress of the aftermath. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 13, 2009 - 19 answers

How can I help my 32-year-old sister conquer her intense fear of interacting with people? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2009 - 9 answers

How do I rationalise the prospect of suddenly going completely (and permanently) blind? [more inside]
posted by parjanya on Apr 1, 2009 - 31 answers

Is there a name for the dislike of the anticipation felt on receiving or opening gifts? [more inside]
posted by Sova on Mar 5, 2009 - 21 answers

How do I, a lesbian woman, get over my fear of women? Ever since I was little I have had trouble making friends with women and it cripples my dating and friendship options. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 2, 2009 - 24 answers

Almost two weeks ago I suddenly started having strange feelings of lightheadedness, abnormal difficultly concentrating, a lack of coordination (feeling as though I might fall over or run in to things), and visual issues (difficulty focusing on distant objects, seemingly less aware of my periphery - though there are no noticable gaps in my visual field). I've had these, albeit with decreasing frequency and severity, since that time. I'm often very fearful during these episodes (which can last 4-5 hours at a time, the dizziness/lightheadedness sometimes all day), fearing permanent brain damage and having extreme feelings of derealization. I've come to the conclusion that at least some of these symptoms are due to panic attacks. Does that explain it all though? [more inside]
posted by elektrotechnicus on Feb 23, 2009 - 25 answers

How can I find a dentist who is good with terrified patients? [more inside]
posted by photomusic86 on Feb 13, 2009 - 11 answers

How do I stop having 'bipolar' feelings of excitement and fear at the first stages of a relationship? [more inside]
posted by KateHasQuestions on Feb 12, 2009 - 9 answers

Discovered recently that my wife is expecting our second child - mixed feelings are overwhelming me - practical solutions? [more inside]
posted by numberstation on Feb 12, 2009 - 25 answers

Talk me down: Wisdom teeth removal and utter terror. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 9, 2009 - 81 answers

I'm having the same problem as the poster below me "Help me deal with high stakes situations.." (BTW I read all those responses too). Like her it happens with meetings, people with authority, friends and dating. But, I'm a guy, and the only part I really care about is how it effects friends and dating. The rest I can live with.. [more inside]
posted by 0217174 on Jan 11, 2009 - 12 answers

Recently, during a movie, my boyfriend pointed to an actress and said “Hey, that’s a really nice color. I think it would look really nice on you.” And my reaction involved mentioning hair damage, fading, and a fear I’d never get my natural color back or that dyeing my hair might cause grays (I have none, and all my family members dye their hair and had a bunch of grays at my age). I love my natural hair color and texture, and if I could guarantee that after dyeing my hair, it would be exactly the same as before, I’d do it. So I tend to stick with what I’ve got because I’m afraid of what I’m going to get. I'd like to loosen up a bit.... [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 10, 2009 - 31 answers

Ice falling from tall buildings filter. Help me lay to rest a question that has plagued my wife. We live in Chicago, with lots of tall buildings. Ice falls off of the buildings from time to time and about once a year, some poor bastard gets mushed. Where in terms of physics and I suppose statistics would be the safest place to walk down the sidewalk: as close to the building as possible? The middle of the sidewalk? The far edge? Does it depend on building height?
posted by Ponderance on Jan 7, 2009 - 16 answers

I'm off work the next four days over the New Year's holiday & weekend. I am usually a very social person, but I live alone and I don't have much of anything planned this weekend. And I'm worried about spending the whole weekend alone, because I think I will get really lonely and unhappy. How can I enjoy myself? [more inside]
posted by inatizzy on Dec 31, 2008 - 20 answers

Help me not descend into extreme paranoia. Last night a male intruder approached me in my back yard. Police came and "caught" him. I have always been on the fairly cautious/paranoid side of personal security so I am afraid this incident may spiral downward to a place I do not want it to go. Any thoughts? (Longer story below) [more inside]
posted by murrey on Dec 21, 2008 - 31 answers

I'm generally a pretty nervous person. Lately (over the last two months), it's become worse. I jump whenever someone enters the room. I'm quite stressed about everyday things (a disagreement, a social event, my future), and nearly every day my stomach or chest or shoulders ache from these worries. I recognise that my response to this is overblown and irrational, and that maybe I need to seek medical attention. But that's the problem. Can you help me gather the courage to see a doctor? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 15, 2008 - 15 answers

I'm flying in a few weeks. I'm scared to death, and I want to try some of those anti-anxiety meds that people say you can get from your doctor. But how do I talk to my doctor about it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 11, 2008 - 34 answers

I see the world, and all in it, as something vicious and ready to attack me, and that influences far too much stuff in my life. Help. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 8, 2008 - 30 answers

I smoked marijuana early this morning and had terrifying experiences. What happened, why, and what should I do now? I could use some reassurance. [more inside]
posted by elektrotechnicus on Dec 1, 2008 - 48 answers

How do I make my voice sound scared? [more inside]
posted by Idiot Mittens on Nov 28, 2008 - 13 answers

How do I conquer fear? I'm quite afraid of doing things that I have not done before, and it does not get better when I conquer fear of some things. [more inside]
posted by ChabonJabon on Nov 19, 2008 - 15 answers

Weddings freak me out, why? [more inside]
posted by sondrialiac on Nov 10, 2008 - 11 answers

How can I learn to love my looks? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 1, 2008 - 38 answers

How can I ignore my ego and feelings of self-importance? [more inside]
posted by PFL on Oct 30, 2008 - 19 answers

Looking for an adventurer and author who was noted for confronting specific fears and paying people to ensure he had no option but to follow through. [more inside]
posted by kaydo on Oct 19, 2008 - 2 answers

Every member of my family, save one, has died young from a heart attack. Am I doomed? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 2, 2008 - 24 answers

My wife is an anatomy professor and needs help with this question: Most anatomy textbooks say that urination and defecation are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system (aka "rest and digest system") Then why is it that some lose bladder and bowel control in frightening situations? Isn't the opposing sympathetic "fight or flight" system supposed to in charge?
posted by up in the old hotel on Sep 21, 2008 - 17 answers

Help me overcome my fear of sex. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 13, 2008 - 18 answers