Given my background in therapy, I have consulted with colleagues and am seriously debating whether or not I should submit some potential phobias to add to the list in the DSM-IV. I mean, Tim is a walking phenomenon of phobias and seems to fascinate me on a daily basis. I am still in the process of collecting important data, but I'll share the little bit I have so far:
Drawerphobia: This is known as a fear of closing drawers completely. This act should occur fairly frequently to be considered an actual phobia. Tim is sincerely fearful of closing a drawer ALL THE WAY. His underwear drawer, t-shirt drawer, junk drawer must always protrude even the slightest bit. It's almost like he's afraid his boxers can't breathe in there. But then again, maybe he thinks he actually does close his drawers because I'm an enabler and shut them for him every morning.
Clean-dishes-phobia: This is the fear of actually emptying a dishwasher. I worry often because Tim seems to have absolutely no problem loading the dishwasher and heck, I think he actually ENJOYS running the dishwasher. But emptying it? He shakes at the thought of it. His fear seems genuine because I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen him actually empty the dishwasher. I know this because he seems to announce when he has emptied it.....like he's waiting for some sort of badge of courage.
Wheelophobia: Tim seems to have a serious fear about having more than one hand actually touching the steering wheel while driving. Driving over the summit, Berkeley hills, and any other winding road will be driven with one hand.....when observing, it's almost like he believes he will be electrocuted if both hands are ever caught on the steering wheel at the same time. 10 and 2 are NOT in his vocabulary. It's usually 5 OR 7, but NEVER both.
These are a few examples of the types of phobias I am considering submitting. After consulting with other spouses (all wives....coincidence?), they seem to observe the very same phobias in their husbands. Quite fascinating, no? I'll let you know what I find....stay tuned.
1 comment:
George has wheelophobia and the emptying the dishwasher one also.
The drawer one - well - I think Tim got that from Granny - she never closed a drawer either. Claimed she couldn't open the drawer if it was closed all the way. Good luck with your research.
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