I can never again go into my garden

Have a quick look on google maps to see if there s a pond in a garden nearby, if so you may be on a trail between one pond and another as these sound like youngsters in search of a new place to live having been thrown out of the maternal water.

Once you track the route you can attempt to block it and direct them a different way

I know someone with a phobia about buttons too.

I'm an arachnophobe as is my 18-year old grandson, much to the amusement of his twin sister who used to tease him by picking up spiders and offering them to him. I had to convince her that this wasn't funny and was far from kind. Their mother has a more unusual phobia. She can't stand things made from unpolished wood including wooden spoons, chopsticks and the little forks that some fish and chip shops provide. A long time ago she had a boyfriend who was scared of buttons, which was rather inconvenient as he owned a vintage clothes shop.

Phobias are irrational, but usually can be treated quite easily by a professional. Glad people around you are sympathetic. Do get some help, via your GP or local counselling service.

I saw someone the other day rush into the busy road with her baby because she had seen a wasp. Wasps can bite etc but running in front of a moving car is potentially far more dangerous. Luckily, the car driver did an amazing emergency stop.

You’ll be fine with some help. Perhaps Google it?

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im with you on this i scream blue murder if i evan see a small one.been clearing dads garden he had one i screamed next door neighbour thought i was being murdered. he came round removed it,for next few days i watched carefully before i put my hand down to weed and gradually relaxed a bit, ikeep thinking they are very small ,breathe and try and look before you weed it helps to see it before you nearly touch it with your hand . dads neighbours and my own now know if i scream loudly thats what it is

I was having a Company Christmas dinner whilst working abroad, when they put the plate down in front of the lad I was sitting next to he went completely white then fainted, apparently he had a phobia about carrots! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I would not have believed it.

My sister is terrified of balloons.

I’m terrified of going into the water
Everyone else goes swimming but not me
I so wish I could swim like a dolphin

A combination of hypnotherapy / behavioural therapy would be effective. London zoo used to run a therapy programme for people with animal ( usually spiders) phobias ( I’m not sure if they still run it). I took some students to one of these sessions when we were studying phobias. The hypnotherapy bit relaxes you, as it’s impossible to be anxious and relaxed at the same time. Whilst relaxed you will be told all manner of interesting facts about the phobic animal - for frogs it could be that they are esssential to life on the planet in some way how useful they are to the life cycle etc. This is to help you think more positively about frogs. Whilst relaxed you may be shown a picture of a frog. If you feel panicked by a picture the therapist will wait until the panic goes down as it will eventually. A competent therapist won’t make you do anything you don’t feel ready for. You will then be gradually exposed to the phobia , in combination with relaxation. By the end you will be able to pick up a frog without any problem. You won’t believe this but I’ve seen it done. People with years of spider phobias picking up a tarantula for example. The thing is, avoiding frogs just reinforces the phobia , it’s a learned response as you show with your daughter. You can unlearn the phobia with help, and although this may seem impossible, it can be achieved quite easily.

My totally irrational fear is slugs and snails... in fact I had a nightmare about them last night!

Thank you all. I have sadly passed my phobia on to my daughter, and now my granddaughter is saying she doesn't like them, although she's not displaying signs of phobia, thankfully.

I never even thought about therapy/counselling for this. I wish I had - I've been like this for almost all my life.

I will see if both my daughter and I can get help with this.

It is ridiculous, I know. But that's what phobias are all about.

Try hypnotherapy..it can help with these phobias.

I am similar to NfkDumpling as I fear dead animals. It is odd but I am not afraid of dead humans and, yes, I have seen dead humans!

Once I saw a dead bird in the garden and I was worried all day at work because I knew I'd have to remove it when I got home. I was lucky though. A cat must have come in my garden because the dead bird was gone when I came home. Phew!!

HurdyGurdy probably isn't afraid of dead birds at all!

I wouldn't exactly say I have a phobia but they do frighten me a bit.

People can have phobias about anything. There was a man on TV a while ago who was terrified of tomato ketchup. He was an intelligent, reasonable man. There is no logic to it.

I agree in one way Baggs as they are dangerous animals. But I’ve never seen one except behind bars or on TV. Don’t ask me why but lions, cheetahs, panthers, bears, etc don’t bother me in the least.

Perhaps I was attacked by one in a previous life!

Sorry about the frog fear, hg. I think the advice to go get help with your phobia is good.

Is it possible to have an irrational fear of tigers? I'd have thought that to fear tigers is completely rational.

Please seek help. I have an irrational fear of tigers, no idea why, I just do. Happily this does not impact on my life as there are none roaming wild in this country.

This is impacting on the enjoyment of your garden. A good therapist will help you.

I have a fear of dead things. Even more stupid is that I’m afraid they might move! A dead bird on the path and I have to cross the road. I mean - it’s dead. A mauled mass. I KNOW it’s not going anywhere, but I still have to cross over.

With much effort, I have improved over the years, but I understand completely where Hurdygurdy is coming from. I agree with the others that help is needed. After all frogs move. At least, despite my fear, I know that the dead thing will stay put and, if in the garden, I can get someone (DH) to remove it and it won’t really return.

Phobias are irrational but that does not give anyone the right to ridicule or express disbelief. Neither can sufferers expect others to understand the terrors experienced. I used to be a terrible arachnophobic but following professional help can now deal with spiders of any size.

Life is too short to continue this fear so PLEASE seek help. Your GP is your first point of call and good luck

I too wish I could have your frogs I really love them I have a pond ready but no frogs, my daughter can’t stand them has a dry garden but a family of frogs
You can have a phobia about anything Bathsheba I once had a colleague who had never ever seen a real snake but would faint at a picture of one well a picture can’t hurt you either

My DD is phobic about bananas too. Don't remember any childhood trauma.
My totally irrational phobia is worms!
I meet one in the garden, uncurl my toes and rub away the goosebumps as I race indoors! One cup of tea later, venture out and find it's gone.
I do sympathise with your phobia but I find my accompanying feelings of stupidity are hard to deal with.

Apparently, people can have bizarre phobias about inanimate objects. It's no good asking me why but it is, it seems, a "thing".

Bananas??? How can someone be terrified of bananas? I mean, what can they do? They don't move

I am sorry for you as you must feel so frightened. Perhaps try to get help for the phobia.

I know someone who is terrified of bananas - she knows it is silly.