Growing up, I had this horrible phobia. It has continued into my adulthood and it has actually gotten a little more tolerable, but it is still there. I am not sure why I have it. I am sure I was probably born with it. Anxiety and dread consume me when confronted with it. The formal name for my phobia is Sidonglobophobia, the fear of cotton balls. Seriously.
I thought it was just a “me” thing, but in actuality, many people suffer from it to different degrees. Just the thought of a cotton ball makes me cringe. People have asked why, and I am not really sure. I think it may have something to do with the sound it makes. Does it actually have a sound? Whether it does or not, I can actually hear it as it is pulled from a medicine bottle. Eww. Or maybe it is the sight of being pulled from a bottle.
The first time I saw Buddy, the Elf (from the movie, Elf), stuffing his mouth full of cotton balls like they were marshmallows I literally gagged.
My case is relatively mild when compared with others. Some people have been known to cry hysterically, hyperventilate, suffer nausea, get goose bumps (myself included) or have a full-blown anxiety attack. Some people think they are literally dying.
From the research I have done, it is suggested the fear of cotton goes back to a traumatic experience. It is treatable with therapy, hypnosis, self-help books, counseling and medication.
So the next time, you see a cotton ball think all those who suffer from Sidonglobophobia.
