Irrational Fear of Loud Noises

[SwansandSharksMan]

I have a fear that has troubled me all of my life. It is a fear of sudden loud noises. In particular, balloons popping and fireworks.


For some reason, the sounds cause a reaction in my body and it gives me a really bad feeling. It can make me jump and in often a reflex action I will put my hands to my ears.


It means that if I go somewhere like a childrens’ party, I am very on edge about balloons popping. I will often hide away or disappear because I am so troubled with my fear.


I have often avoided social situations if I knew there were balloons or fireworks. I would often hide away in toilets or other areas to avoid.


I used to be really bad when I was young. I was scared of thunder storms. Even the small popping sound a Christmas cracker would make scared me. I am ok with this sound now, but when I was young, I would block my ears when the family was pulling the crackers. One year at Christmas, my parents were extremely nasty. I was putting my fingers over my ears as the crackers were being pulled because I hated the noise. It was like a loud bang to me. My parents were wanting me to not put my fingers over my ears and telling me not to do it. I got very scared and had to go in the other room. I was frightened of both the sound and my parents being angry at me. The next thing I remember is my mum and dad both coming towards me and hitting me at the same time. It was like I was being gang beaten. Then followed big arguments between my grandparents and my parents over the treatment of me. Then I was accused of ruining Christmas. Then my mum wasn’t talking to me.


I am ok with Christmas crackers and thunder now, but back then I was really frightened.


Can anyone relate to this?

[Ggrand]

Hello SwansandSharksMan..

Welcome to the forums..

I can remember when I was a young person, that I was afraid of loud sudden noise and thunder..I would often hides in my wardrobe when it was storming...Loud noises I would jump and sometimes let out a scream....

I am still afraid of thunder but just the sudden really loud ones..I think because I’m not expecting them and then all of a sudden it made loud rumbling sounds..

Also balloons popping, Christmas crackers, fireworks..etc..I know it’s going to make that noise but not when..the expectation of them bursting is horrible..once they have popped, banged I still get scared of the noise, once the noise has erupted, I’m okay again...

Just yesterday in my mental health supporter, her phone on the car speaker went off...I jumped again and yep a tiny little suppressed scream escaped...

Cars passing who think it’s funny to blast there horns for no reasons is so frightening that I can get a panic attack from it...

Im not sure if for me it’s the knowing that the pop, explosion, bang whatever noise it makes but not the when it’s going to happen....

Im sorry your mum and dad hit you at the same time. That is very mean and not acceptable..they should have tried to understand your fear and helped you to manage it..

Im very happy to hear that your okay with Christmas crackers and thunder..you’ve made some great progress forward..Well done...

Does popping balloons, fireworks etc still make you afraid?

Do you think it’s the expectation of knowing there going to make a loud noise..sometime soon, and not knowing when or is it the actual noise itself..

Talk here anytime..you feel up to it..

Kind thoughts with care..

Grandy.l