Bangor’s 10 Worst Fears
Living in the hometown of horror writer Stephen King, we Bangorians are no strangers to fear. When we walk past a storm drain, we half expect Pennywise to try to lure us down into the sewers.
Tuesday was "National Face Your Fears Day" so we asked listeners what their biggest fears are! Now we have created a list of things most likely to send chills down your spine!
No one shared my personal fear of horses or robots... but you should!
- 1
Spiders
ArachnophobiaThe was the most commonly mentioned fear. It is also one of my biggest fears! The most common fear in America are bugs in general. Must be something about all those legs and eyes.
- 2
Sharks
GaleophobiaWe can thank 'Jaws' for this common fear, or maybe the dozens of shark attacks in the U.S. every year. Either way, we were surprised to see this being a fear for Mainers at all with one of the lowest shark attack rates in the states.
- 3
Heights
AcrophobiaIt's not the going up that bothers many, it's the going down. Statistics show this is one of the biggest irrational fears, meaning although a lot of people have this fear, most don't have reason to.
- 4
Getting Sick
HypchondriasisFor some the idea of even getting a head cold would send you over the edge for others it's the idea of getting something more serious like cancer that you fear. While worrying about every germ that could invade your immune system may be a little irrational, worrying about getting a life-altering health issue is a completely rational fear.
- 5
Flying
AviophobiaThe idea of people soaring high above the earth in a metal tube being driven by someone you have never met isn't appealing to some people for some reason.
- 6
Zombies
KinemortophobiaWith rise to popular shows like 'The Walking Dead', fear of the living dead is becoming a very real fear for some. Some going as far as stockpiling supplies for the inevitable invasion. No need to worry, though, Mainers! We have a list of the best places to hide in a zombie apocalypse.
- 7
Birds
OrnithophobiaMost people who know me well know I am terrified of birds. Mainly large, aggressive birds like an emu. It was nice to know I am not alone as there were other mentions of birds people are afraid of including chickens!
- 8
Snakes
OphidiophobiaFor some it's the idea of being bit by a snake that freaks them out, for others it's just the sight of their slimy bodies slithering about. Whatever the reason, I think it is safe to say you either hate snakes or love them, no one just kind of likes snakes.
- 9
Death
ThanatophobiaEven if you don't admit to it, this is probably a fear most people have. Whether it's the fear of your own demise, the loss of a loved one, or both. This seems like the most reasonable fear.
- 10
Driving in Bad Weather
There's no official phobia associated with driving in bad weather, but it is a common fear. After the 70 car pile up Interstate 95 northbound this past winter it is easy to see why this is a common fear among Mainers.