Yes, you read the title correctly… Buttons. This woman must simply love zips… Zip-a-dee-doo-daah!
Oh, how the brain can be so crazy at times. When you hear of these phobias and fears that people have, it may cause some poeple to question whether they are real or not… Let me tell you about this lady whose life is being ruined by an irrational fear of buttons… Yes.. Buttons.
Here is what this article in the Metro had to say:
She is so afraid of them she can’t stand to be in the same room if any of her friends and family are wearing a cardigan or shirt.
The 22-year-old’s fear first struck when she was just seven and refused to put on her school blouse.
She said: ‘My mum says I would freak out when it was time to get dressed for school. At first only my family knew about my fear as I was afraid people would think I was crazy if they knew.
‘For me touching a button would be like touching a cockroach, it feels dirty, nasty and wrong.’
She avoids buttons as much as possible by only wearing clothes with zips.
Ms Linkins’ fear — officially named koumpounophobia — affects one in 75,000 people.
A spokesman for the National Phobics Society said: ‘The phobia often affects children and the problem can persist into adulthood.’
Student Ms Linkins, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, has tried hypnotherapy and self-help tapes to try overcome her fear but nothing has worked.
She added: ‘Seeing the children’s TV show Button Moon is like watching a horror movie.’
Now, I rather naughtily and instantaneously laughed out loud when I read that… Come on. Button moon is quality kids TV!
This phobia has a name. It is not as are as we would think. They must see the irrational element to such a phobia — People with a fear of buttons are afraid of what? Being hurt somehow? Being infected? Doesn’t the brain work in some incredibly unusual and creative ways in some people?
Not much more for me to say on this one. I just find it fascinating to behold. I hope she gets it fixed.
What’s more, this woman is truly not alone… Several other people have commented on the article and admitted to having the same fear…
Isn’t it, though, that she’s afraid of whatever buttons represent in her unconscious? I wonder if the school blouse is a clue. Perhaps she hated school and doing up the buttons on her school blouse associated in her mind with some kind of perfectly rational fear of school. More children than educational authorities like the public to know are afraid of going to school. Once such an association was established, it could carry over to any situation where buttoning up a blouse or other garment is part of the preparation for doing something scary – a job interview or visit to the dentist, for example.
I loved that line about Button Moon being like a horror movie. I have to admit, I burst out laughing at that, too. 🙂
Well, you may well be quite right Bob… Though each individual has their own unique relationship with their phobia.
I would guess it was to do with what she associates with buttons inside her mind which in turn is connected to something triggering a fear response. I’d love to work with her and get to the bottom of it!
Button Moon though… Hahahahahaha. I know I should not laugh, but such an inoffensive kids show being portrated as a horror movie!