For the Fear of Weeds

by Jackie

Absolutely! I have a child on the autism spectrum. If we could take the sensory problems away, the rest would be easy.




For all you non-believers, imagine this. A 2 year old paralyzed by a fear of weeds. If they touch your leg it literally caused you pain or at least a lot of discomfort. What about crying because the seam of a sock hurts your feet, or a noise causes you to shut down. Brushing your hair and teeth each day with dread of the sensation it brings. I could go on forever.

Watch children next time you are in a crowded place, they are everywhere. They need our understanding and our help.



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Nov 18, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Glad I'm not crazy
by: Anonymous

Good to know I'm not the only one.

Where I'm from (Oregon), we have a lot of marshland. Skunk Cabbage grows rampant, especially in wild areas, and I was terrified of it as a kid. I still have a hard time going into the field at my dad's house, to this day.
Jun 29, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		i thought i was the only one
by: Anonymous

wow i really thought i was the only one. I hate weeds, the larger the worse, especially the prickly and thorny ones. I just freeze up kinda, hyperventilate, and my shoulders start to go in, but im so glad to know im not alone.
Dec 16, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		ahhhh
by: Anonymous

Big, uncommon looking weeds make me nervous. Especially during hikes. In gardening, I hesitate to pull them out. Normal plants are fine with me. Also somewhat related to my fear of wild mushrooms. I eat normal ones all the time without issue.
Apr 30, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fear of weeds
by: Leanna

I am a young woman with Asperger’s Syndrome and when I was little I didn’t like to touch grass and thought all bushes were spiky and could hurt me. But most are not and I know that now.
Mar 29, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Weed phobia
by: Anonymous

I have a severe phobia of specific weeds. The larger they grow, the worse the fear response. Some of the worst types can be up to 5 feet tall and I can't even be within 30 feet of them without having extreme fear.

I have many house plants that are all fine for me. My phobia is specifically the shape of the leaf and the way it connects to the stem. Best way I can describe it, is if the plant looks "mean" I will be afraid. If it appears friendly, like shrubs and house plants, I'm fine.

I discovered my phobia when I was out camping, age 6. I'm 30 now and it has not gotten any better. It ruins a lot of outdoor activities for me.
Oct 12, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		comment
by: James G

I have a phobia for weeds. The unwanted plants that grow in unwanted places. They just look horrible and can grow to be taller than me–which gives me the chills. I hate going near them and theres no way you can make me pull weeds out. Just.... ugh.
Apr 14, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thistle
by: Julain

I have a severe phobia of all types of thistles. When I was younger I was teased which made it worse.

I'm 33 years old as of 2018 and I'm still horrified by thistles. The main one I hate the most is the Scottish bull thistle with that purple flower. I hate that thing even while writing this I'm having a panic attack.
Aug 07, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Fear of weeds
by: Anonymous

Once again, another person with that weed phobia. What's is this condition called. It's more common.
Feb 16, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same
by: Anonymous

Ug I hate weeds too. I get laughed at by it. I have to do yard work, I have no choice, and it's awful. When I'm weed waking and a weed flys up and hits me in the face I scream. It's pretty sad. When I have to pick up some creepy plant u hold it out daintily and be extremely careful not to touch it, because it's so creepy idk why
Jun 03, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Horrified
by: Gracie

I am so happy I'm not alone!! I have big, spiky weeds growing under my trampoline, and my brother and sister dare me to look right where one plant grows so high it touches the bottom of the net. I have screamed so loudly just by looking at those horrifying plants. I am only 12, so I can't let these creepy plants ruin my life. Whenever I go near a weed, it makes my heart pound so hard that it feels like it is going to rip out of my chest. Thank you so much... I am sooooo happy I'm not alone.
Jun 08, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My Response
by: Anonymous

Even knowing what causes my fear it doesn't help. If it would help to tell i will. When i was little I saw an episode of Blues' Clues about carnivouris plants. It scared the s**t. I've had nightmares to the point when I wake up I won't sit down scared something might "get me". It makes feel pleasure knowing I'm not alone. Lastly, people tell me to get over it and I try to tell them its irrational but they just don't listen
Jun 06, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same problem
by: Anonymous

Same issue, I am 30 something and have an intense phobia of one particular common weed. Only a few family members know and not even my husband! I shudder when I see it and when I was younger, kids chased me with it. It's a horrible phobia as no one understands. It's considered acceptable to be scared of spiders or heights but not something like this.
May 30, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		no touch weeds
by: Anonymous

im one of those kinds of people who where if i go near weeds or even touch them i have like a weird panic attack im not sure why this happens but i just hate them, only a few of my family knows about this but im afraid that if everybody else knew they would make fun of me for being near plants i am glad that im not alone on this one though.
Apr 17, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I'm Glad I'm Not Alone
by: Anonymous

I am a 40-something adult who lives in the country. I am scared of weeds, especially big leafy ones. I am glad after all these years to learn I'm not alone.

When I was a child I used to walk through the hay fields with my arms straight up in the air. It seemed to help because I was trying to convince myself that if the weeds didn't touch my bare skin that I would be alright.

Now as an adult I still get the shakes when I get too near weeds. Over the years, I've learned to use other excuses on why I won't go near weeds. Only a select few family members know my secret. If others find out, they usually torment me by picking weeds forcefully touching me with them. It makes me want to crawl out of my skin.
Sep 19, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		And for fear of water...
by: Caleb's Mom

Ur article brought tears to my eyes! My son has that same reaction over water. Washing his face and hands or bathtime even turn into a wrestling match. He can't even stand the feel of a baby wipe to clean his hands. He wore a pair of sandals only once this summer because he associated them with running outside in the grass and not liking the feeling. He had such a meltdown that day and yelled for me to put sockies (socks) on him instead of the sandals.

He hates the smell of buttered popcorn so much that he starts running in circles in a panic while hitting his nose and screaming "Nosey! Nosey!" I ran around opening all the windows in a panic because his reaction scared me so much.

SPD is real. The non-believers wouldn't last a minute in our shoes. Special kids are given to special parents:)

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