This is the... *deep breath* Irrational fear of zombies.

I've got a problem, and yes I am getting help for it but I'm kind of struggling with that. ehh, okay, let me just say this first.

I realize that they aren't real, they can never be real, and even if by some freak of a chance such a thing came to be, the disease would never be spread to ridiculous proportions like in the movies because Disease Control would be all over it. They're mega pros.

Also, this is not a joke. i can appreciate how people might regard this as humorous but to me it is a very real and very terrible problem.

That aside, it is called an irrational fear for a reason. Despite the overwhelming facts to the contrary, my subconscious refuses to believe that it could never happen. I find myself thinking about scenarios all the time. What would I do if they suddenly showed up? How would I get away? Where can I run?

I've tried making plans, having a way out and whatnot. I've tried avoiding the topic at all costs but this does nothing but feed my fears. Finally I went to talk to a Councillor about it and we did some natural breathing exercises to get it under control. That worked for awhile but it's gone downhill from there.

I'm on my last leg about this, I've seen a doctor and now a psychiatrist who is trying to help me. However now, as a last resort, I've had to start on medication. Some things work a little but have all had worse side effects that interrupt my life just as much as the phobia. What I'm on now seems to be doing alright, but it's interrupting my sleep.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is, help? Even in the professional circle, not a lot is known about phobias so this is all trial and error. I'm having trouble coming to terms with taking medication at all because I've always been quite healthy. I don't even take Advil for headaches unless they last more than a day.

So what do you guys think? If anyone can shed any more outside perspective on this I would really appreciate it. I hope that wasn't too much to read...

While my fear of zombies has never gotten so bad as to interrupt my life, I sympathize with you. Do you know exactly what about them frightens you the most? Understanding your fears may be a step in getting in under control. For example, what freaks me out the most about the situation is that people who are supposed to love and care about you (i.e. friends and family) would be trying to kill and eat you - that kind of shit messes with you psychologically. I believe that my mind has condensed some of my past experiences and fears regarding people close to me betraying me or hurting me and wound up attaching those feelings to zombies. I guess it's all in figuring out what they represent for you. I find it makes things a lot easier to deal with once you understand where the feelings come from that you're associating with the undead. As much as zombies scare me, I still love them.

That's very interesting, I never really thought of it quite that way. That aspect of it does terrify me as well, although I think another major reason is that I'm afraid of being alone. In a world full of zombies, there are millions of people out there and yet you're left completely alone. It's horrifying.

Isolation can be a real bitch. Maybe you can try to work on those feelings and see if you can make some progress.

How would I do that? I wouldn't even know where to start.

You said you were going to therapy, discuss it with them.

Irrational fears are just that-irrational.

Me, I can't do down escalators. I know I'm not going to fall down them, but I think that I will. I stand at the top and I just have instant vertigo.

I think that you should work some more with your subconscious, pills most of the times don't fully erase the problems when it comes to your mind. The subconscious is your main problem here, try talking some more with your psychiatrist, but if it didn't work find someone else. Or you should try researching more about your own subconscious and try to find ways to just get yourself rid of this phobia or tune it down. Quit the pills if they rob you of your sleep since rest is extremely vital when it comes to something like this.

The pills are a last resort. Little sleep is better than none, coupled with panic attacks every other day and constantly having this fear creeping up in the back if your mind...

I spent a good month and a half trying to get myself to calm down without meds, I couldn't take it anymore.

I can sympathize with you as I have tons of irrational fears. One that always comes to mind is dying in an elevator due to the cables snapping and clowns. I am terrified of both. Clowns I have the version of the fear that makes you want to waltz up and punch them till they go away. I cope by having someone I love with me or someone who is a friend. It makes it better, sure the fear isn't gone but it makes it seem better. I wish I could help you with your fear, but all I can really say is you have to keep telling yourself Zombies aren't real and they will never be. Tell yourself that it's just make-up and underneath it all is a real human being. I have done the same with clowns. However I still will look at my mom and go, please just get me away from them. Face it in little doses that you control until you are more comfortable.

Thanks for everyone's input. I have actually tried something recently and it's working rather well. The fact I can actually say "zombie" and not freak out is a damn good sign. I think it's just a ceratonin unbalance.

Cipralex. Yes it's a drug, but it doesn't screw you up, what it does is kick start your brain into producing more ceratonin naturally, so it's not even an artificial addition of ceratonin, which is awesome.

I'm less afraid of the dark and my fears of zombies is dwindling away after two weeks. YAY!

I doubt I'll ever face someone dressed up as a zombie, but FINALLY I can have my life back!