Question: i have multiple fears and phobias, which of these would you say are rational and which are irrational; dogs, spiders and sleeping bags? also, do you have any phobias??

Gemma Sharp answered on 20 Jun 2011:

I’d say dogs and spiders could be considered rational fears. We’ve evolved to fear things that could harm us, and dogs and poisonous spiders could potentially harm us. When I was a small child (well alright, until I was about 13) I was really scared of dogs and if I saw one in the park I used to run as fast as I could to this big climbing frame to hide. That was probably pretty irrational. A Yorkshire Terrier wasn’t going to do much to harm me, but still.

Sleeping bags is quite an irrational fear I’d say cos there’s not much chance of one harming you. Lots of people have irrational fears though, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your daily life I don’t think it’s much to worry about.

I’m scared of ghosts (I don’t know if I believe in them, but I still get scared which is pretty irrational), public speaking (as I demonstrated today when I had to speak at a meeting), and being pooed on by birds (I’ve never been pooed on by a bird, but every day that it doesn’t happen is a day closer to the day that it will!).