So I have always, always loved fish. My dad was an aquarium enthusiast growing up, and I loved seeing all of his fish- from the tiny home-hatched killifish in their brackish tanks to the baby baracuda he had for a while in its own tank. I also have always loved fishing and eating fish.
But...I have this phobia of coming into physical contact with live fish. I was the best fisherman for my age in my hometown growing up, but I always needed a trusted friend with me who could get the fish off my hook if I forgot my gloves. I can't explain why I am so afraid of touching fish; I think when I was young a goldfish jumped out of its bowl and I had to get it back in, and it was flopping in my hands and I was freaking out and didn't know what to do.
Literally, my worst fear is my fish jumping out of its tank and me needing to get it back in, by hand. I love my fish enough to know I would do it if I had to, but still, the thought of it makes me shiver.
I am in counseling but we haven't covered this. Is anyone else in my shoes, or has/had been? Is it bad for a fish owner to be afraid of touching fish?
But...I have this phobia of coming into physical contact with live fish. I was the best fisherman for my age in my hometown growing up, but I always needed a trusted friend with me who could get the fish off my hook if I forgot my gloves. I can't explain why I am so afraid of touching fish; I think when I was young a goldfish jumped out of its bowl and I had to get it back in, and it was flopping in my hands and I was freaking out and didn't know what to do.
Literally, my worst fear is my fish jumping out of its tank and me needing to get it back in, by hand. I love my fish enough to know I would do it if I had to, but still, the thought of it makes me shiver.
I am in counseling but we haven't covered this. Is anyone else in my shoes, or has/had been? Is it bad for a fish owner to be afraid of touching fish?