The The Etymology of Globophobia – Fear of Balloons

Caption: The The Etymology of Globophobia – Fear of Balloons

This being Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) (also known as Mental Health Awareness Week), I thought I would make you aware of something about yours truly, Chato Stewart! A while back, I revealed my personal fear/phobia I’ve had since the age of 6… BALLOONS! In the post titled: “Name That Phobia: Fear Of Balloons = Globophobia” I touched on this “funny fear.” You’ll see me at 19  blowing up some balloons for my pre-wedding party (Engagement Party).  My face says it all!

Why is Globophobia  (Fear of Balloons) a haunting fear of mine?  Well, I’ve traced my fear and phobia to balloon Patient zero I got from the Topsfield Fair in Massachusetts , U.S.A.

I won the balloon in a game. It was in November and cold! When I got home, I put the balloon in a safe place on top of the radiator. I woke in in the middle of the night to play with my balloon and when I looked it was huge. The heat expanded it to the max… I went over and just touched it with my finger…. BOOOOOOOM! The stupid thing popped! Ever since then seeing one or having to hold a balloon… creeped me out!

Over the years, I’ve forced myself to overcome this fear. I would hold balloons and intentionally pop them.  That helped, but I still would be anxious around them.  I find what works best is to fill balloons up with water, I.E. Water balloons.  When they pop, there is no loud, unexpected noise. Also, associating  them with a fun act of a friendly water balloon fight helps transform the negative memory that was fused in my head.

So, have a fun water balloon fight to cure the anxiety of Globophobia.

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