Answer These Questions and We’ll Guess What Your Most Irrational Fear Is

By: Jennifer Post

5 Min Quiz

Image: Francesco Carta fotografo/Moment/gettyimages

About This Quiz

Did you know that having a diagnosed phobia is actually a mental illness? People can also be afraid of things without having a diagnosed phobia, and they can certainly hold onto fears without going on a talk show where the host brings that feared things on stage to torment the subject. Maybe bugs really creep you out and any time you see a bug, you freak out. That's totally normal.

When the word "irrational" is in front of your fear, it means that your fear doesn't exactly make sense. It is normal to be afraid of a giant, barking dog, but it is irrational to be afraid of a little poodle with a bow in its hair. This is where the difference in fears, phobias and irrational fears comes from. Because irrational fears don't make a ton of sense to people who don't suffer from them, it can be hard to determine where the fear came from and why it is still hanging around.

But with careful consideration, and carefully worded questions, it is possible to figure out what your irrational fears are. Based on how you handle other situations in life, react to things out of your control, and even a deep-dive into what you were like as a kid can all be hints as to where your fear originated. Answer these questions and we'll guess what your irrational fear is!

Do you know what you're actually afraid of?

I think I'm afraid of not being in control

I don't like not knowing where my exit is
Honestly, I have no idea

I fear that I won't be able to have kids

How do you deal with your fears?

Medication

Deep breathing and always having someone that I trust with me
I just avoid certain things

Try to just deal with it and hope I can move on

If you were met with your deepest fear, do you think you could actually handle it?

I could if I absolutely had to

For a very limited amount of time
I think I could move past it

Maybe by immersing myself in it I could

Do you ever feel worried about your ability to go about your daily life?

No, not at all

Sometimes I find myself in unexpected situations
Not necessarily

Worry comes and goes

Are you the one putting pressure on yourself to deal with your fears?

It's mostly other people

It is myself, yes
No one pressures me to deal with them

It's mostly me and my significant other

Is there a lot of information or resources out there about your fear?

Oh yes, I have a lot of support

Not in common places
I haven't met anyone else with my fear

I've found some, but it's limited

Does your fear impact your self-worth?

Thankfully no

I feel no different about myself
It does a great deal

My fear makes me feel like a terrible person

Are you actually afraid of something, or are you afraid of the worst possible outcome of interacting with that thing?

Oh definitely the outcome

It's the process I fear
I fear the thing itself

I've actually never thought about it

Does knowing more about your fear help at all?

It really does, the more I know, the more comfortable I feel

It helps me cope, but doesn't eradicate it
Not really

I still don't even really know why I fear it, so knowledge is not power

Is it possible that someone told you this particular thing was scary and that is why you fear it?

That is highly likely

It's possible, but I have no memory of it
I can't imagine anyone telling me this is scary

Everyone says the opposite, actually

Is there anything in your childhood or in your cultural consciousness that might explain your fear?

9/11

My schools were really overcrowded growing up
Literally nothing

My mom had a baby when I was much older

Have you ever seen a doctor about your fear?

Yes, to prescribe me something to relax

Nah, I just talk about it with loved ones
I don't know what kind of doctor would understand

I don't think a doctor could help

How likely is it that you will actually encounter your fear?

It's only likely if my job requires it

Very likely
The more I think about it, the more I encounter it

Probably the most likely out of any fear I can think of

What is the worst that could happen?

I could die

I'll have a panic attack
I'm actually not sure what would happen

I get super embarrassed

If you had to pick the one thing you are most passionate about, what would it be?

Brunch

Meditating
Reading

Travelling

Who is the one person you'd want by your side in a time of crisis?

My immediate family

My best friend
My grandparents

My significant other

Do you miss out on a lot of life activities because of your fear?

Travelling

Concerts, parties, parades, etc.
I can't see a lot of movies

Motherhood

Are there any regrets in your life?

I try to live life without regrets

Maybe the bangs
Watching the 2008 Olympics

Not being nicer to my siblings

Self-awareness can be key in overcoming fears. Do you consider yourself self-aware?

About my fear, yes

I try to be aware of everything I do
I could definitely be better

I'm in complete denial, but at least I'm aware of it

Are you curious about other people who experience your same irrational fear?

I know there are a ton of other people with it

I am, it would be nice to be around like-minded people
Yes, because I've never heard of someone else having it

No, I don't like talking about it

Do you get offended when people tell you that your fear is irrational?

No, I totally get that it makes no sense

People are entitled to their opinions
Yes, to me it's very real

Sometimes, but I get over it quickly

How willing are you to try alternate methods to help your fears?

I would love to be hypnotized

I don't think it's that serious
Depends what we're talking about here

I won't even go on anxiety medication

When you are going through a rough time in general, how do you handle it?

Journaling

Solid ignoring
I talk about it

I try to go for a walk and clear my head

Think about what you want for you future. Is it at all dictated by your fear?

Oh totally

Not consciously
I try not to make it a factor

Getting over my fear could be the difference between a future and no future

Do you ever feel like just giving up and surrendering to your fear?

It's not that serious to my life

I can still live a full live with my fear
Sometimes, but I always snap back

Honestly, yeah.

If you could change anything about yourself, aside from your fear, what would it be?

The shape of my eyebrows

My personal style
My complete disinterest in working

My selfishness

Do you feel like you owe anyone an apology because of your fears?

No, those who love me understand

All of my friends
Probably, because no one gets it

Myself

Could your fear just be something you use as a reason not to do something you don't want to do?

No, my fear gets in the way of something I absolutely love doing

Sometimes I use my fear as an excuse, but I don't think that's the root cause
That doesn't really apply to my fear

You know what, that makes a lot of sense

Are you fearful of something because you think you might be bad at it?

No, I don't think that's it

Maybe in some circumstances
No, definitely not

I think I would be great if this wasn't in my way

Despite your fears, are you happy?

Yes, I really am

I never know how to answer that question
Extremely!

I could be happier

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

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