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Ever since I can remember I've been scared of forests. It's the thought of getting lost in them and never finding a way out Is this a normal fear and if so does anyone know the name of it?
I found a study that charts the prevalence of various phobias:
http://susannahpollvogt.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/scary-forest.jpg?w=500
I go in forests all the time. I like how they block out the sun completely.
I love forests, though hilariously I got lost in the one behind my house last fall! I only started panicking after like 2 hours. It was almost like in a movie, because I ended up right where I started somehow. It's not a big woods really, but it was getting dark and I didn't have a flashlight. It's funny where your mind goes. You start to walk quicker and quicker, then you jog, then you're almost running XD Forests are magical though!
Yeah, it's normal. It makes sense because you never know what's in the forest, and like you said, you wouldn't want to get lost. I don't go into forests, myself, but I love them because of the inspiration they give me as a writer. Just try to find something positive about them that will open your mind to them a little more. That is, if there's ever a time that you go in one.
I like creeks and they usually contain mini forests. I like looking at pictures of forests but I'd probably would be to scared to venture into one. You know those fairy tales about the enchanted forests and hidden evils? They're nice to read about but I would never want to meet the latter! Another worry, is getting lost and having no cellphone connection, forest fires, landslides, storms and falling trees, and wild animals.
Your phobia is perfectly fine and very understandable.
There are many different types of forest ecosystems. It is unfortunate that many people destroy forests because of greed, misunderstanding or an unfounded fear.
I think that if a person despises forests, and they live in a forested region, they should move to an area like a desert, plain, prairie or savanna, where forests do not occur naturally.
The forest is a beautiful thing! I hope someday you can take baby steps to overcome this fear, because you will never find a place so peaceful and disconnected from all the hustle and bustle of every day life!
I can't imagine life without a forest nearby to get lost in. Just be smart about it, tell people where you're going, or find a guide.