[MaterDei]

File this one under, "You've got to be kidding me". Anybody have any idea how, exactly, they go about curing people of hoplophobia without exposing individuals to firearms, which they feel "is totally unnecessary, and can even make matters worse".
The Phobia Clinic (http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/problem_detail.asp?PhobiaID=1603&SDID=1431)

"What is Fear of Guns?

Defined as "a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of firearms", each year, this common phobia causes millions of people needless distress.

To add insult to an already distressing condition, most fear of guns therapies take months or years and sometimes even require the patient to be exposed repeatedly to firearms over and over again. We believe this is totally unnecessary, and can even make matters worse, now that fear of guns can be eliminated with just 24 hours of commitment by the phobic individual.

Known by a number of names Hoplophobia, Fear of Firearms, and Fear of Guns being the most common, the problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences fear of guns in their own way and may have different symptoms. ..."

For the entire story click on the link above.

[Justin]

Maybe someone ought to send that link to Sarah Brady, Tom Diaz, and Ted Kennedy.

[Zundfolge]

We believe this is totally unnecessary, and can even make matters worse, now that fear of guns can be eliminated with just 24 hours of commitment by the phobic individual.

Simple ... put the phobic individual at one end of a small room ... put a gang banger, wild boar, puma, bear or other large violent preditor at the other end of the room and a 12ga on a table in the middle ... nature will take its course and they will no longer fear guns :)

[TheLastBoyScout]

I think that would be more accurate if you said "Nature will take its course OR they will no longer fear guns"

I have no doubt that there are people out there who would never think of using a weapon on a disadvantaged criminal individual or a endangered/photogenic animal... or wouldn't realize they were in danger until they were already being stabbed, beaten, shot or bitten.

[JimJD]

Simple ... put the phobic individual at one end of a small room ... put a gang banger, wild boar, puma, bear or other large violent preditor at the other end of the room and a 12ga on a table in the middle ... nature will take its course and they will no longer fear guns

That is some funny, funny stuff!
I wish I could do a short skit film based on that.

[P95Carry]

I have no doubt that there are people out there who would never think of using a weapon on a disadvantaged criminal individual or a endangered/photogenic animal... or wouldn't realize they were in danger until they were already being stabbed, beaten, shot or bitten. Hey lastBoyScout ... you need to include this one to .....

''But if I carry/have a gun, then I will be certain to invite trouble'' ..... yeah right!:rolleyes: :banghead:

[benewton]

"hoplophobia"

You know, there are some things encountered in life that I simply can't understand.

How can one fear tools and still live an active, modern, read anything above a bovine, life?

[SoCalGeek]

... although everyone experiences fear of guns in their own way...


Yeah. Maybe fear of a LACK of guns, in which case they're right. I'm terrified. :p

[Jeff White]

Maybe someone ought to send that link to Sarah Brady, Tom Diaz, and Ted Kennedy.

Justin,

I don't think any of them fear guns. They fear guns in the hands of the great unwashed. It's not about safety. It's about power..them wanting it and wanting to keep us from having the means to take it from them by force if necessary.

Jeff

[S_O_Laban]

They fear guns in the hands of the great unwashed

Exactly.

[Alexey931]

Is there such thing as hoplophobia? It is common knowledge that firearms exist about half a millenium. But until quite recently psychiatrists did well without any such term.

Fear of heights, fear of close confinement, even fear of edged weapons, they've always been there.

Phobias are irrational fears, but they share one peculiarity rather uncommon with mental disorders: the patient is always fully and clearly aware of his condition and what it is really worth. Nobody ever wore a phobia proudly. It's none of your paranoia.

And this phobia clinic thing does look like April Fools Day article. I am not quite sure what to think of it...:confused:

[MaterDei]

Alexey,

I really don't think it is a scam. the picture at the top of the page looks like something Oleg might do. A parody of the site would be funny to see.
Is there such thing as hoplophobia?
When I was in the Army I had a soldier wig out on me. He locked and loaded a .45 and pointed it at me. I sure as heck was afraid of THAT gun. Probably wouldn't be considered hoplophobia though given the fact that NOT being afraid would have been unreasonable and unexplainable.

MaterDei

[MJRW]

By the way, that site says LITERALLY the exact same thing for all other phobias by simply replacing "hoplophobia" with the phobia of choice:

What is Fear Of Constipation?
Defined as "a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of constipation", each year, this common phobia causes millions of people needless distress.

To add insult to an already distressing condition, most fear of constipation therapies take months or years and sometimes even require the patient to be exposed repeatedly to constipation over and over again. We believe this is totally unnecessary, and can even make matters worse, now that fear of constipation can be eliminated with just 24 hours of commitment by the phobic individual.

Known by a number of names Coprastasophobia and Fear of Constipation being the most common, the problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences fear of constipation in their own way and may have different symptoms.

Though a variety of potent drugs are often prescribed for fear of constipation, side effects and/or withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Moreover, drugs do not "cure" fear of constipation or any other phobia. At best they temporarily suppress the symptoms through chemical interaction.

The good news is that the modern, fast, drug-free process we use at The Phobia Clinic will train your mind to feel completely different about constipation, eliminating the fear so it never haunts you again.


Consider the true cost of living with Fear Of Constipation.

If you are living with Fear of Constipation, what is the real cost to your health, your career or school, and to your family life? Avoiding the issue indefinitely would mean resigning yourself to living in fear – missing out on priceless life experiences big and small – living a life that is just a shadow of what it will be when the problem is gone.

For anyone earning a living or at school, the financial toll of this phobia is incalculable. Living with fear means you can never concentrate fully and give your best. Lost opportunities. Poor performance or grades. Promotions that pass you by. Fear of Constipation will likely cost you tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your lifetime –– let alone the cost to your health and quality of life. Now Fear of Constipation can be gone for less than the price of a round-trip airline ticket, or a few weeks of drugs or conventional therapy.

[Balog]

How is one "repeatedly exposed to constipation?":uhoh:

[MJRW]

Oh, and some of my favorites include:

If you are living with Satan Phobia, what is the real cost to your health, your career or school, and to your family life? Avoiding the issue indefinitely would mean resigning yourself to living in fear – missing out on priceless life experiences big and small – living a life that is just a shadow of what it will be when the problem is gone.

My irrational fear of Satan really hurt my ability to deal with my teacher who was, coincidentally, Satan.

Known by a number of names Nucleomituphobia and Fear of Nuclear Weapons being the most common, the problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences weapon phobia in their own way and may have different symptoms.

I submit to you that a fear of nuclear weapons isn't exactly irrational.

Defined as "a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of china, chinese, or chinese culture", each year, this common phobia causes millions of people needless distress.

The good news is that the modern, fast, drug-free process we use at The Phobia Clinic will train your mind to feel completely different about China, Chinese, or Chinese culture, eliminating the fear so it never haunts you again.

They could have at least taken the effort to make this one "billions."

Known by a number of names Judeophobia and Fear of Jewish People being the most common, the problem often significantly impacts the quality of life. It can cause panic attacks and keep people apart from loved ones and business associates. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread, although everyone experiences jew phobia in their own way and may have different symptoms.

Though a variety of potent drugs are often prescribed for jew phobia, side effects and/or withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Moreover, drugs do not "cure" jew phobia or any other phobia.

Symptoms of Judeophobia should have also included "prone to suicide bombing."

This site is good for all sorts of humor. It is not good, however, to use in an argument.

[Andrew Rothman]

It is real -- AND a scam. See the disclaimer?All statements, the opinions of Seymour Segnit, The Phobia Clinic™ & Change That's Right Now™, Inc. and the contents of this website have not been evaluated by the FDA nor approved by any other government or official body. Nothing offered on or offline is intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease or disorder of any kind. You will not be working with a doctor, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst, psychiatrist, psychologist, master of family child counseling, or master of social work. The practicing members of The Phobia Clinic team are certified in NLP and related methods by the American Board of NLP. None of the processes nor the advice you receive here substitutes for medical attention, and they are neither intended as, nor should be used as, a substitute for your physician's role in monitoring and treating you. You should always consult your physician before following any alternative solution to any physical or mental health problem, or before taking any products or following any health regimen...

[Daniel T]

How is one "repeatedly exposed to constipation?"

Being forced to ingest large amounts of cheese?

Mmmmmm...cheese...

[Mark Tyson]

I though "Ballistiphobia" was the fear of guns.

[TallPine]

Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread,
Sounds like me on Monday mornings .... :D

[Archer]

Jeff Cooper coined the term Hoplophobia in the sixities or seventies.

From the Greek term for the shield (Hoplon) wielded by the infantryman (Hoplite).

He defined it as an irrational fear of weapons...and it fits the Brady bunch perfectly.

[spacemanspiff]

phobias are often a sign of a weak mind. we all have things that we fear, but its our mind that has to cope with situations that make us fearful.
take those who have 'arachnophobia'. they will shriek and jump and hyperventilate at the mere sight of a small fuzzy spider, when all they really needed to do is squish it or brush it away.
i know one person that is deathly afraid of dogs. big, small, doesnt matter. it could be the friendliest dog that never barks and has lost all its teeth, she will climb trees to get away from any dog. very unrational. its not that she fears being attacked, she just fears dogs.

i thought i feared heights. i get nervous if i have to climb down a ladder, or look over a bluff. but thats just a natural reaction. know what made me realize i wasnt really phobic of heights? my family and i climbed a mountain, not all the way to the top, but pretty darn close. if i could work my way up 1000 feet at a 75 degree angle on loose gravel, looking out over anchorage and the cook inlet, well then heights dont really frighten me.

to overcome a phobia you must strengthen your mind.

[MaterDei]

Jeff Cooper coined the term Hoplophobia in the sixities or seventies.

From the Greek term for the shield (Hoplon) wielded by the infantryman (Hoplite).

He defined it as an irrational fear of weapons...and it fits the Brady bunch perfectly. Archer, the walking encyclopedia!

Odd that the fear of weapons would be named after a shield rather than a more offensive minded weapon. In the Hoplite's case, the spear.

Spearophobia?

[Zundfolge]

I though "Ballistiphobia" was the fear of guns.
Ballistiphobia is the fear of being shot or stabbed ... while related to Hoplophobia (which is actually the fear of weapons) its not the same thing.

[MJRW]

Woah, spiff, I'm sending that on to the American Psychological Association. Good thing you've got phobia's all figured out while it has remained a problem for many people and professionals for centuries. I've sat here for years trying to "make mind like steel" but I've still got this thing with bridges. It's nice to know there are steel minded people out there like yourself to protect those of us with a weak mind.

[spacemanspiff]

anytime, mjrw. i'm happy to oblige. :D

[Justin]

I don't think any of them fear guns. They fear guns in the hands of the great unwashed. It's not about safety. It's about power..them wanting it and wanting to keep us from having the means to take it from them by force if necessary.
Actually, now that you mention it, I seem to recall Tom Diaz admitting that he was indeed a gun owner.

Ah, here's the quote, taken from a Boston.com article regarding the release of the .500 S&W:

Diaz, a handgun owner, admitted his curiosity was aroused by the engineering.

Read the rest here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9407&highlight=Diaz