When repressed fear is transferred to a particular object or
situation the resulting fear is called a phobia.
Most of us have reasonably mild phobias – some people don‘t
like spiders, others fear snakes and some hate vermin. It must be miserable to
live a life with a fear of heights or the dark or even being frightened of
birds or animals.
When the phobia reaches a certain proportion then a person’s
life must be severely restricted. Years ago it was thought that fears
associated with guilt or shame needed to be repressed. In some cases there
appears to be an element of transfer - where the poor person tries to
rationalise the phobia – and transfers the fear to similar but different
object. This must be very confusing for the rest of the family. Everyone knows
that grand mum hates leaving the house – but why does she actually hate dogs
too?
There is only one good thing about a phobia and that is the names
that are offered. These names commonly come up in quizzes and the like. “What
is a fear of snakes called?” “What do you call a person who hates heights?”
Is it likely that there are phobias associated with doing
extra work towards the eleven plus?
What do you call a mother with three children – each having activities
on the same afternoon in three different locations - with a car that needs a
service? (Carservicephobia?)
What do you call an eleven plus boy who has to choose
between playing football for the school and working with a tutor towards the eleven
plus? (Elevenplustutorphobia?)
What do you call an elder sister who has passed the eleven
plus but won’t help her sister because they have had a falling out?
(Siblingphobia?)
What do you call a fear of your child not passing the eleven
plus?
(Failurephobia?)
