Is it normal to be afraid of sharp things?

I'm really afraid of sharp things: needles, knifes, broken glass, scissors, and especially irresponsible people with sharp things. Obviously I have to put up with it and use a knife to cut my dinner, and get needles. But whenever I first pick up a knife all I can imagine is somehow stabbing myself in the chest or the eye with it, I get so scared that I start sweating and get dizzy. This is preventing me from cooking meals for my friends and family because I can't chop or peal anything and people would catch on if I asked them to do it for me. I have never told anyone, because I'm scared they will taunt me with everything sharp from then on. I somehow hide my panic from my friends and family and everyone thinks I am a perfectly normal person. I know this is a completely pointless fear, I just hope someday it will go away.

Voting Results
76% Normal
Based on 70 votes (53 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • 1000Dogs

    The way you are experiencing it, it's sounding like it's gone from 'fear' to 'phobia'. From your description, you are convincing yourself of the worst case scenarios being the most likely to happen any time you get near something sharp, and it is actually interfering with your ability to function in some tasks.

    It is completely normal, and in fact respectable, to take care when handling dangerous objects in any capacity. Accidents can happen, but the most likely outcome of any sharp object being mishandled is dropping it onto your extremities. Given that most things you will handle will have their weight measured in ounces, the worst this will result in is a mild cut. If it lands on clothing, you probably won't even be injured.

    I'd recommend doing a little bit of mental exercising, just going through the situations and rather than visualizing the outcome, think for a moment how you might be able to use the sharp object and prevent it. As a man who used to be a glazier, I can tell you that preventative measures were the best thing you could have when handling large pieces of glass that could break dangerously.

    Whatever you do, do not allow this fear to consume you. In fact, I'd honestly recommend, when you get yourself up to it, handling a knife to do some cooking in a controlled environment. Make yourself something delicious so that you reward yourself for succeeding at your task. Chicken cordon bleu is pretty easy while also requiring a knife. Cut a chicken breast, cut a bit of ham, cut a bit of swiss cheese, roll together, cook.

    Odd though it may sound, a blunt knife is much more likely to cause an accident than a sharp one in the kitchen, due to the fact that you'll have to move the knife more violently, so make sure that you're using quality cookware.

    If you really can't bring yourself to get anywhere near sharp objects, you may want to talk with your family. They may have more ideas to help you out. Overall, though, this is a mental roadblock you've constructed for yourself, and if you stay strong, you should be able to move it back out of the way. Don't be afraid to ask if you need help, though. Making a pile of rocks is easier than pushing it aside.

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    • purpleflower

      Thank you so much for the advice! I really didn't know how to handle my fear. Are you some sort of doctor or psychiatrist ?

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      • 1000Dogs

        Sorry to take so long, but I figure I should respond since you asked and I went away.
        I'm not a doctor nor a psychiatrist, but I did study biology and psychology as my favorite subjects in college.

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  • zchristian

    I am very close to having Trypanophobia.. Also you may have Aichmophobia...

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    • purpleflower

      Thanks, I have looked before but I couldn't find a specific phobia name for what I was feeling (And therefore adding to my worst case scenario fear that no one else in the world has this)

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      • zchristian

        What about Panophobia thats much much worse since that is the fear of everything...

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  • LaurentinChevalier

    It's perfectly normal. People will fear things that are dangerous and cause pain, and there's nothing wrong with that. The important thing though, is to try and not let this fear take control of your life. You want to live a normal and happy life and not feel like you're in a confined space. It's a terrible way to live, and although the fear is not easy to deal with you'll find that if you work on it that you'll be more comfortable when facing your fears.

    You can be afraid of something, but not afraid to face it.

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  • Oak

    ME TOO!!! When there is something sharp pointed at me, even if it's just lying on a table, I ask somone to turn it to a different direction. I imagine that in some freak accident it'll fly off the tablet and like stab me or something!!!

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    • Avant-Garde

      Exactly!

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  • Avant-Garde

    I'm the same way.

    I'm scared of needles and always cringe when I have to get blood drawn or a shot. I don't like knives,they make me very uncomfortable.
    When I was a younger, I would cry whenever someone got a sharp knife, told me to cut with a knife, or to hand them a knife.

    I don't like anything that's sharp.

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  • shin10912

    well it's because you know what it can do to you. it's like fear of height, we are made to be scared of them, so we'll be more cautious about them

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