You may be asking yourself, Pendulaphobia? If you have read any of my earlier posts, you will know I have this. What is it?
Pendulaphobia is the fear of things that hang and swing. (Not to be confused with the similarly related Kinetiphoba, the fear of moving, or moving objects.) It makes me very uncomfortable to see/be around these things, and usually nervous.
However, some people have it to the extent where they have major panic attacks, or worse.
Now, this phobia is not actually recognized yet, and thus, does not have an official name. Pendulaphobia is the coined internet term that is going around these days, and I happen to think it fits perfectly.
So, here are 10 random things (in no particular order) that Pendulaphobics hate, or strongly dislike.
- Swings. This one is obvious, and probably the worst. They move around, they swing, they don't stay still, and when they do move, those chains can wiggle all over the place. You'll never get me on one of those things.
- Vertical blinds. Again, they don't stay still. When you go to close them, especially, they just move all over the place. This is another one that makes me very nervous, and uncomfortable.
- Trees blowing in the wind. Personally, this one does not bother me a lot, heck, I even think it can be cool to watch. (Like a storm, when I am indoors.)
- Hair blowing in the wind. Yep, this one does it for me. In fact, it pisses me off. If I am walking down the street, and the wind is blowing my hair around, I actually get pissed off at the wind, and ask it nicely to please stop, just for 5 minutes. Please? It also bothers me when my hair does this on amusement park rides.
- Speaking of which, amusement part rides. Some of them can be great, like the kind where the carts you sit in don't swing from side to side unnecessarily, roam freely, and are set in one spot. Even if they twirl. Of course, it is different for each person who has this phobia. For example, I cannot go on the swing ride, or the pirate ship.
- Wind chimes. Never mind that the damn things sound beautiful. They move around, they wiggle, and blow in the breeze. This one makes me very uneasy. Not to mention the fact that every time you hear them chiming, even if you are not in the room, it brings forth images of them blowing around.
- Jewelry. This one is less of an issue for me, but for others, things like, say, dangly earrings, loose bracelets, or long necklaces that move when you walk, can make some people uncomfortable.
- Pot racks. Okay, I don't know about other pendulaphobics, but for me, a giant rack filled with heavy pots and pans, that could swing around makes me very nervous. So uneasy. Just think, every time you take a pot or pan off, or put one on, it all moves. It is the one thing I am afraid might come crashing down. But that part does not contribute to my Pendulaphobia. Still, it makes me very uncomfortable.
- An open window. Odd, you might think. The window will most likely stay still. How is this an issue, you ask? When a window is open, a breeze could come in at any moment, and rustle, or blow around anything in the room. Things such as curtains, blinds, or even blow hair around, or papers off a desk. So when it's windy outside, even if I don't have my window open (but I want it open), I get super nervous. I can't open it because things will blow around.
- How about actual pendulums. Ya know, like on a clock. I did not have a problem with this previously, but it seems to be I am more and more these days.
I am so glad you posted this. I too have this phobia since I was about 3. I thought I was the only one. Blinds are horrible for me and swings too. I would love to know what causes this. I am glad I am not alone.
ReplyDeleteYou are never alone
DeleteOmg! I thought I was nuts! There's a ride at the fair called the Sea Dragon. It actually haunts my dreams my porch swing is gone, and I even prohibited my husband from inheriting his mother's prized clock. It's been 45 years. I'm miserable!
DeleteI've had this phobia since I was five and it's horrible because swinging things are everywhere! It's comforting to know that other people have this phobia too though
DeleteMay I know the treatment of this
DeleteI'm 14 and I hate loud noise and the things that move make me want to cry there was a incident a few years back when I went to Mexico and there was this bar with a massive chandelier that swung side to side and I just screamed for 30 minutes and now I'm happy to know I'm not the only one
DeleteIt is so good to know I'm not alone, I used to think I was crazy
DeleteThe Corinthian wind chimes. I can tolerate one but a sales display blowing in the wind is evil. The hook on a crane or now I'm noticing the huge signs over the convention we're setting up at. It's all manageable (except the wind chimes) I just wonder why
Deleteam i the only one scared of hanging chains
DeleteI’m exactly the same, had it for as long as I can remember! Can’t believe how spot on all of these things are to what makes me uncomfortable
DeleteI've had pendulaphobia from 3 and haven't recovered. It usually occurs at night and not much at the day. But when I ride the swings at the day it haunts me so much at night I cry, become scared of everything. The noise of swings and its motion, even me writing this scares me a lot thinking about it. now addition to that I get scared of moving cars or air or any type of noise. It got better overtime as I grow up but its still really scary. I don't think I can ever get over this.
DeleteI am so glad this is a thing other people have! I have daily panic attacks about blinds, swings, ect. But the one that is the absolute worst for me is wind chimes. i can't stand those things! I get huge amounts of anxiety even being close to them.
DeleteAlso large umbrellas do it for me too!
ReplyDeleteI always thought I had kinetiphobia but this makes much more sense. I've never met anyone else with with this phobia so it's so good to know there are others. I've just had to leave a cafe as there were about 20 hanging lights and a fan blowing. Some days I don't notice things but other days I notice every little thing. Hanging baskets lining the high street, shop displays and driving past parks are one of the worst. Wind or loud music can be a trigger for me. Looking into hypnotherapy as of today as it seems to be getting worse. It's such an odd phobia and though the rational part of my brain tells me no harm can come of it, the panic attacks can be overwhelming. Thank you for posting 🙂
ReplyDeleteI understand this SO well! This is me, minus the fact that I am not getting hypnotherapy, nor would I know how to even explain this to any kind of medical doctor, let alone a family member.
DeleteI completely understand this. It is such an odd phobia. I tell my friends and family but they don't understand it. It's irrational so it's hard for others to comprehend how we can have a fear like this. It's pretty comforting reading these posts though, the experiences describe so accurately what I feel. Most of the time I don't notice it anymore but sometimes I'll have an episode and start to get panicky. I think what helps me is first of all God and second, acknowledging that I have no control over it and surrendering to the fear, accepting that I'm powerless over it somehow calms me down. It's almost like I realize that whatever happens it'll all be ok. Mostly I pray though. Usually when I pray the fear is removed from me.
DeleteMe too! my familys always like ok whatever, or your fine or i understand when really they dont they really really dont. Im only 12 and it has bothered me for as long as i can remember. They main thing for me now is swings i always run away or go and stop them and chimes i cant do the noises and when they sway i feel sick. I used to not like flags and that still bothers me a little but not as much. Also when i was younger i could not stand looking outside the window in the car because the power lines always looked like they were moving. This is something different but i still sometimes dont like loud music like i used to cry thats how bad it is. I try to avoid all of these things and even tell myself its not scary or im fine, but now know that im not alone and that actually makes me feel a lot better!
DeleteSame thing for me. All of it. I just had to park my car because I could imagine the gas tank gas sloshing uncontrollably in the tank.
DeleteI experience the same thing with water bottles in cars or buses. The liquid moving around is very uncomfortable for me.
DeleteYep this is one I’ve experienced as well!
DeleteI have never related to something like this so much in my life. I've had pendulaphobia from 3 and haven't recovered. It usually occurs at night and not much at the day. But when I ride the swings at the day it haunts me so much at night I cry, become scared of everything. The noise of swings and its motion, even me writing this scares me a lot thinking about it. now addition to that I get scared of moving cars or fan or air or any type of noise. It got better overtime as I grow up but its still really scary. I don't think I can ever get over this.
DeleteI have the same thing. Swinging things. Usually if the the object hanging is much larger than the rope or chain holding it up. It has also been triggered by ceiling fans, the sprinklers that move, acceleration in cars, wind, loud music, the movement of water in bathtubs or pools. I'm sure there is more but I can't think of them at the moment. I'm very grateful I googled this. I felt like a freak for so long. It's such a strange fear to have. Not really afraid of much else. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome
DeleteI am happy I've had this since I was born and I've gone to see a phyciatrist about it right now I'm 11 so it's pretty hard
DeleteOh my god I'm not the only one 😊
ReplyDeleteI felt that way when I first found out!
DeleteSuffering for 20yrs because of these.. it getting worst.. sonetimes i think about commiting suicide but i keep praying and i know God will help me overcome this..
DeleteGod bless you. You are not alone! Don’t let the fear ruin your life. I have the same phobia!
DeleteI've had this fear for as long as I can remember, glad it's now got a name (albeit an unofficial one!). I'm very wary of going to places with hanging lights, and if I do I constantly look at them to check they're not moving. Moving bath water also freaks me out. I hate taking my daughter to the park or play areas with punching bags because, as much I as I tell myself not to, I know I'll panic. Even have nightmares of swinging objects!
ReplyDeleteI am also glad for that! It suits it, really.
DeleteThough I've never really had nightmares about them
DeleteI have this as well especially swings bath water anything that moves from one way to the other I have a feeling like it will never stop moving I'm feeling my heart beat faster as I type this
DeleteI thought I am weird, I think I had this phobia when I was 6 until now. 🙁
DeleteI am so sad other people go through this too. Its becoming debilitating for me.
DeleteIve suffered from a fear like this since I was small. I'll never forget my first episode when our vertical blinds were swinging back amd forth on a hot summer day because of our ceiling fan. I lost my mind I was so scared. My parents didn't know how to deal with me, so they sent me to my room as punishment for being misbehaved.
ReplyDeleteSince then, even now as a 31 year old woman, I can barely function most days when something is being disturbed by the wind. Nothing that is naturally occurring - like trees or hair - but blinds, breezes through windows, canopies with covers, shed doors opening and closing in the wind, gates... For the love of god gates...
And I've always struggled thinking I'm the only one affected. Im literally sitting up at 330 am right now, typing this because I'm crying from finding others like me. I cant sleep right now because there is a wind storm in my city and there is a neighbors gate that is banging in this wind.
This phobia is awful. It is life altering. I cannot go to other's homes in the summer for fear that windows might be open. When I chance it, I make any excuse possible to walk around the house to try and catch open windows or fans and shut them myself, like a freaking lunatic.
My mother only just started trying to understand my fear of this in the last year or so. I've always felt so alone with my phobia... And now I'm not. Thank you. Thank you so much for helping me feel a little less alone with my fear.
I've never thought of gates. Oh god! I am so sorry that you have suffered so long!
DeleteAnd you are so very welcome! Hugs!
DeleteIts getting far worse for me. I am about to have to buy a tesla because having a gas tank is starting to bother me. It used to be reality in front of my eyes would cause panic which I can control... now my imagination is causing anxiety and panic. Im getting really scared. I have a 3 year old daughter and I don't know what to do sometimes to explain we can't goto the park or goto the swimming pool or give her a bath for Christ's sake. I can't give my daughter a bath. Her mother has to. Now I am having problems driving. I just don't want to end up inside. Locked up, drugged up, etc. I want to watch my daughter grow up. I want to go on a cruise with my wife, its her favorite vacation. I want to see the ocean again. I want to live again.
DeleteI too have this phobia and have had it since I can remember! Since I was very little I always remember when my mom would put me to bed and turn off my light on the ceiling fan with the chain and making her hold the chain still after pulling.... I remember never being able to enter my living room with the high ceilings and low hanging ceiling fan on... that the swung like crazy.. I’ve never liked vertical blinds and the signs hanging from grocery store ceilings make me nauseous... all of these things do honestly.. sometimes to the point of panic attacks.. which make me feel like the world is ending all around me.. but with the help of medication and therapy it has been much easier to cope with
ReplyDeleteDid any one get any kind of medical treatment for this type of phobia?
ReplyDeleteI've experienced this for as long as I can remember.
ReplyDeleteWhen young it would cause panic attacks, but later in life it has reduced to feely uneasey.
Have wondered if it's some kind of past life thing involving death by hanging.
omg omg omgggg
Deleteomg omg omgggg
DeleteI thought I was the only one.
ReplyDeleteWow. Me too, for as long as I can remember, at least since I was a toddler and I'm nearly 40 now.
ReplyDeleteWhen I bought my house, I had my husband cut off every single fan pull in the house and remove every stick thing on every blind. I also have a thing with things that move in the opposite direction, like helium balloons. Well, balloons in general actually. I hate it. I feel like my life has been completely disrupted because of this.
I thought I was the only person. Three other things that trigger my pendulaphobia are waves, chandeliers, and when people swing cords around. Those three things just kill me man You know, we’re our own group of people. None of you are alone, we all have each other. But this awful living hell has gotten in our ways of enjoying life to the fullest. But we’re our own groups of people and just know that you aren’t alone
ReplyDeleteYes! Swinging cords. Whips. oh my gosh. I can't watch people jump rope or swing chains. Swing sets are the WORST. No amusememt park rides EVER. Also, I can't fall asleep in cars. It triggers it big time. I just decided to google this because I'm having an episode now. This is so awesome finding others.
DeleteMaybe I should start a facebook group for us
DeleteYes do it
DeleteYes do it
DeleteGreetings from Turkey,
ReplyDeleteLast week at night my 2.5 year son had terrible crying in playground. Normally we dont take him at night to play but just went to wedding.
He wanted to stop the swings in the playground and wanted the kids to take from it while crying. We coulnd't stop him from crying. Finally 30 minutes later he's just stopped.
After searching pendulaphobia, we've noticed that we had ignored in the past that he was always disturbed from swinging chandeliers.
I really appreciate what you are doing in here.
So, what are the precautions to stop progressing that phobia, or slow down or enhance?
Thank you.
what I found helps is getting used to little swinging objects (like ornaments) and working your way up from there. He may never get fully over it ( I haven't), but it's better than being afraid of every slightly swinging thing!
DeletePersonally I don't know of anything... I wouldn't know where to begin...
DeleteHi from Japan. I think the same with me./ms unknown! I try to watch swinging object for a little time and it helped me a bit. I still have anxiety over swinging object but I don’t panic so much now...
DeleteMate I was the same when I was 2 its not a problem but if u can remove hanging objects from around him
DeleteI’m so glad I’m not alone with this fear❤️
ReplyDeletewe are all in this together
DeleteMy daughter also has this with dangling cords or chains that are moving. I hated the axes of large swings etc when I was little too.
ReplyDeleteIllI be damned. Ive had this since I was little. Wind chimes and hanging plants get me the worst.
ReplyDeleteI get a cold feeling and a shake when i look at them too long.
Im 33 and just found out about this.
If I can touch them and make them not sway then im ok until they move again
Deletewelcome to the club... but like, seriously.... it ain't easy!
DeleteI'm from Turkey and there's nobody like me. I'm glad seeing people like me now. I'm 18 years old and i just have learned that it's "PENDULAPHOBİA" I want to learn more.
DeleteI am so glad I'm not the only one! My friends just know it has my phobia of chimes and balloons. It's really anything that hangs and moves. I get bad anxiety at chimes in stores. I'm so scared someone will hit them
ReplyDeleteI feel you! I'm scared of those too.
DeleteMy Daughter is 3 and hates things swinging. If I put a bag on the pushchair she goes crazy the zip on my hand bag sets her off my keys in the door laces on clothes worst of all she goes in the bath and the motion of the water when she moves has even caused her distress!!
ReplyDeleteI thought she was being awkward up till march this year when she had a seizure to which she has had a couple more since and wondered if it was part of the epilepsy doctors think she has? So glad you posted this!!! 🙂
Everybody thanked for sharing it so do I because I also have it but I want to get rid of it... it's making me insane... can anybody suggest some cure or something with which it can be controlled.. I can't even let my toddler play with the toys because it freaks me out... if somebody knows something as what's the cause and how it can be controlled please please do share it.. I'll be thankful
ReplyDeleteI saw this on another comment. Try watching something swing. Try and control your fear. Ima try this I'll let u know If it helps
DeleteI have suffered with this all my life. It’s horrible. From lampshades swinging to weighted pull switches. I hate it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found this. My friends think i'm crazy because I have this fear. I've had this fear since I was super little. People don't understand how bad my fear is. Today my mom was cleaning a swinging object and I screamed at her to stop because I knew what was gonna happen. Even on the internet when I see swinging objects I immediatly feel uncomfertable. None of my friends understand how I feel tbh. I usually start sweating, then breathing rapidly and start tearing up. The most I can do is ignore it, but thats hard for me to do. I actually have 6 or 7 wind chimes (my dad bought them) and it triggers me when I see them. I'm just glad i'm not alone. I thought I was the only one.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I don't tell most people I know... my parents probably think I'm more nuts than ever. They don't know.
DeleteThe only thing i have found that eases the feelings of fear and panic on this phobia is .. Well weed
ReplyDeleteBut i dont want to be high for the rest of my life so does anyone have a way to get rid of the phobia
Im high all day every day and still doesn't help
DeleteI have started an instagram page on this in hopes to form a community. It is called 'pendulaphobia' and I would be grateful if you could follow this page. I have had this for as long as I can remember and I think it's about time we form a community.
ReplyDeleteI just saw this! Thank you so much, I will have to check it out.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how to express myself knowing there are people experiencing the same thing as me! Since young, i was first afraid of strong wind, this phobia then led to me being afraid of objects affected by the wind such as curtains, the sensation felt when wind blows against an umbrella, swinging rides, balloons floating and also motion sickness. These days however, I’n easily triggered by swinging objects like a frog on a leave swinging up an down, a balloon tied swinging left and right, a giant ball bouncing. God how I wish I could get rid of this phobia
ReplyDeleteI feel you on that one. I wish I could get rid of it but it is nice knowing that I'm not the only one with this.
DeleteI have a similar case. When I see the dangling decorations hanging from the front mirror of a car, they give me a panic attack when they are swinging as the car moves.
ReplyDeleteI get what you are going through pretty well because fear them too to the point that I avoid getting into vehicles with such decorations
DeleteWell, now I know it has a name. I wouldn't say it's a fear anymore, but I've been affected by this since I was about 3 or 4. As a child it was more of a fear & panic. As an adult, rational thinking has allowed me to find ways to cope. I've found that diving in to the disturbing activity--like learning to play the guitar and enjoying it at high volumes, cured the negative effect loud music used to have. With bouncing balls, learning the game of soccer to eventually play and coach my children and grandchildren helped me to realize the positive aspects of the previously disturbing activity. Sure, there are still things the bother me, slightly, but I think I've found what works for me--face the activity, no matter how uncomfortable, and find the positives in it. Good to know others understand.
ReplyDeleteI have panic attacks if I have to ride in anyone’s car that they will have some wild thing hanging from their rear view mirror!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI feel you on this one! Like when I'm riding in my friend's car she has heavy ornaments dangling from the mirror and I have to look away.
DeleteHaha! I had to stop reading this list in case it gave me new things to be skeeved about that hadn't bothered me before! But I am glad to know I'm not alone. And if my family really wants to be mean they will make the hanging light above my dining room table sway. Noooooo 😳 The think it's funny. Thankfully I don't have full flown panic attacks.
ReplyDeleteThat is horrible! I cannot believe they would do that!! I am so sorry! Hugs!
DeleteCoworkers of mine would do that to get a laugh. Walk by my area and smack the hanging lights, signs, cords toget them swaying huge and chuckle as i hid my head
DeleteI have full panic attacks over it. I have since I was 6 and am now 40. Just talking about it will bring on an attack. I seem to be the only one in my family that suffers from this. The only thing that calms it is alcohol. If I walk into a restaurant where a light is swinging, a couple of cocktails will make the panic attacks stop.
ReplyDeleteSwinging lights anywhere can be the worst. I hate the kind that hang down and aren't solid so they can move around
DeleteAre there any treatments? I suffer from it too.
ReplyDeletewhat I found helps is getting used to little swinging objects (like ornaments) and working your way up from there. You may never get fully over it, but it's better than being afraid of every slightly swinging thing.
DeleteI cannot believe that this is a thing. My daughter from age 1 began this year. First with her shadow then with anything swinging. We would take her to the park she would scream as if was being tortured and run around trying to stop every child from swinging. 4 years in a row our Christmas tree was without a single decoration. If someone puts a table cloth on she will stare at the hanging light and if it moves she is running around scaring yelling stop it stop it. Theres too many incidences to write them all this is just some. We thought it was connected to her bad eye sight but the doc said it's not. Now I know it's just a fear. She also had really bad nightmares and would recognise me or my husband. They would last up to 20 min and I would cry that's how bad she was in fear. We went to a psychologist but everything is fine. She is now 9 she is alot better but she controls herself more. We spent the last years explaining that it's nothing scary nothing will brake or hurt her etc. 2 years ago after explaining that the Christmas tree decorations are not scary she finally allowed us to out them up...actually she did them all because she didnt want them to swing to much while we put them up. I've spent the last 9 years fixing things that swing but now its alot better and sometimes she even forgets about it. Good luck to you all. Just remember they re just objects they cabymt hurt you and your stonger then them. If there is anything else we should be doing from someone's perspective as a person who suffers from this please let me know
ReplyDeleteI have this phobia since I was a little girl and it didn't matter how many times I told myself 'it won't hurt you' swinging objects always sent me into a panic. What helped me was slowly incorporating in my living space little objects that only swung a little and going from there. It's too much to ask for someone with a swing phobia to jump into the deep end and play with a swing set, you have to start very small. It has worked. I was once petrified of the straps on backpacks and other small swinging things and now I'm ok with them. I am still terrified of swings and lights that hang from ceilings that swing but at least not every small swinging thing freaks me out. I could probably improve even more, but you have to put in a lot of effort.
DeleteYou are all so amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have had this since about 4 or 5. it first started when i was looking at the cieling fan and scremaing "turn it off turn it off!!!" and ran out of the room and preceded to cry. it was terrible. im very sensitive to noises like clocks too, and things that make vibrations that last like chimes or grand pianos. i dont think ill ever get over it.
Deleteomg just found this post and I thought i was stupid for having a fear over things swinging freely, i don't know how mine started but I know it's was somethign from childhood that triggered it to start, I hope one day that there can be some sort of treatment and nobody really knows I have it but I hope you carry on with the blogs about this phobia and get it more recognised
ReplyDeleteThank you hugs
DeleteI have a couple more posts too about this
DeleteI have felt this way since I was 3 years old. It is strange finally finding a group of people who have similar stories to my own. My earliest memory of this condition was my sister wearing a red dress with untied strings along the side of it and spinning around in my living room. I remember crying and panicking and having my mother force her to tie them up. These "episodes" forced me into a full blown panic worsening as the object continued to swing. If someone is to fix the item (e.g. hang it up) my anxiety goes away. However, I do feel the urge to constantly check to make sure it is still hung up. Throughout my childhood I struggled with normal activities such as going to school in fear that I may run into something that was hanging or swinging. The playground was the worst with the swing sets. I also often worried about my classmates shoes being untied, someone wearing long strings on their hoodies/pants, or even hung up decorations. I dislike wind chimes, beaded curtains, amusement park rides (particularly the one with the swings), ceiling fan chains, closet lights with a pull-chain, and blinds with a string. As I continued to get older it got worse. I worried about peoples hair being too long. I got anxious during storms with the fear that something outside would be swinging. I have noticed that if the swinging or hanging item is submerged in water I do not get the anxiety. If the item is leaning against something enough where I know it will not move (this one is kinda iffy but helps take the edge off), I feel better. I noticed it varies in the length and type of material of the thing that swings as to whether or not it will bother me. For example, if the item is extremely short it bothers me little to none. However, the longer the item the more it bothers me. If the object is stiff like a metal pole it does not bother me when it swings. But if the item is loose like a rope it bothers me a great deal. I do not necessarily believe mine is a phobia because I am not actually scared of the swinging item. However I do get a great deal of panic and anxiety from it. I have gone to therapy for it and my therapist said it was more along the lines of a symptom of OCD. I researched online and found that OCD is characterized as "excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions)." I do understand that OCD is typically thought of as checking things such as light switches, doors, cleaning, etc. However, I feel that my feelings towards swinging/hanging things are more obsessive compulsive. For instance, if I see/start thinking of one thing swinging (such as my closet light string) tend to think of all the things that are or could be swinging (such as my neighbors tire swing). My anxiety gets worse the more items that swing in front of or near me. For example, two hanging cords would be more anxiety provoking than just one. Overall, I have good days and bad days with it. Some days I feel as though I don't want to do normal activities such as go to the gym (the strings on treadmills tweak me out) or go out to eat (waiters aprons bother me too). Other days I could be in a room with it and still be able to function. I have struggled with telling people about my condition because it's embarrassing to me and most people don't fully understand. I had a couple of experiences where people think I'm scared of it like spiders and dangle things in front of me. Those people don't comprehend the severity of their actions and how it sets off a full blown panic in me. I can't express enough how wonderful it is to find a place where I can express what most people don't understand. On a side note, I would be interested to know what you guys think or if anyone has any similar experiences. Thanks for listening <3
ReplyDeleteAny time I understand so much of what you wrote
DeleteI've had this since I was tiny.
ReplyDeleteMobiles were fashionable they had to be in a location where they absolutely wouldn't move.
Swings, blowing curtains, windchimes (the noise of windchimes), ceiling fans, rotary fans, flapping canvas on a tent, helium baloons. my sister swinging her feet. I
When I'm stressed it gets worse, when I'm happy I can al.ost cope.
I hate it and I've lived with it for over 50 years.
Wow well you're not alone
DeleteGreat post
ReplyDeleteThanks
Funeral Home near me
I've been dealing with this for so long and I just don't know what to do
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine would get anxious knowing her petrol was sloshing around in her fuel tank so always needed to have the tank full. Her therapist taught her different techniques to try and cope including carrying a half full bottle of water in her handbag and trying to stay calm. She was my bridesmaid and was so anxious prior to the wedding she had to seek help. She only confided in me because I wanted the bridesmaids to wear dangly earrings and she couldn't. Also the thought of the dresses "swishing" caused her anxiety. Unfortunately at the time I did think she was crazy (I never told her though and the girls did wear short earrings) - I feel bad reading all these stories now and finally understand her anxiety. What a terrible condition to have 😢
ReplyDeleteSo strange I always thought I was crazy. I hate garbage cans in the road too. Especially when the wind knocks them over, I avoid certain roads I know people don’t pick their garbage cans up. I hate when doors aren’t shut or open all the way. I can’t handle them swinging.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of that one but it doesnt sound fun
DeleteI've been dealing with this for so long plus with anxiety disorder. quite a painful living.
ReplyDeleteI have had this phobia ever since my first memory I thought it was a form of OCD because I couldn’t control the object swinging. It has crippled me for 52yrs and nothing had helped to treat it. It has even stopped me living where I want in case there is a tall tree Nextdoor that someone might hang a rope and tyre on one day. I’m so glad I’m not alone it’s very embarrassing to explain.
ReplyDeleteOh crap I am so sorry to hear that you have all my hugs
DeleteI’ve had this too since about the age of 3/4. I used to really panic about it as a child but it’s gotten better over the years. I’m 26 now and I still hate things like vertical blinds, helium balloons, wind chimes (oh how I HATE wind chimes), things that dangle or hang - christmas decorations, lamp shades in restaurants, signs in grocery shops hanging from the ceiling. Water moving about is horrible too! Some days are better than others, it’s really weird, but all these things make me feel utterly uncomfortable and nervous when I notice them.
ReplyDeleteI’ve also noticed that for me, my phobia seems to be linked with a phobia of certain sounds and things that move by vibrating, such as guitar strings, tuning forks, baking trivets, metal bars, etc. I can’t stand the thought of them moving or the sound that rings out from them. I can deal with guitars in music, but if someone puts one down I hate the sound. Anyone else experience this?
Yes mine is the same! It’s horrible. I’m 45 and have had this all my life :(
DeleteThe guitar strings thing is new for me as well, but I've been trying to overcome it by learning to play guitar on my dad's old guitar. What gets me is that I used to not be afraid of these things. I encourage everyone to face their fears like me, it at least makes me feel a bit more control when I force myself to confront these things.
DeleteWind chimes suck
DeleteHi! I'm 24 and I've been dealing with this phobia since I can remember.
DeleteI don't mind natural objects and swinging caused by wind. Actually, if a swinging object doesn't make sounds, I don't care that much.
The worst for me are bells. Ringing bells hurt me inside my head, there's something vibrating about it that hits me.
What triggers me the most are swings, bells, wind chimes, guitar strings, percussion, hanging chains, lamps and gongs. I don't mind curtains, hair, trees etc.
Sometimes I can accept it, if I'm relaxed. But when I'm stressed, it makes me want to run away.
Ive had this my whole life. Christmas ornaments, swings, signs in stores, car antenna, keys, swishing of gas tanks or liquid in 2 liter bottles, drapes, ceiling fans, hanging lights. Some days are worse than others and i have to just close my eyes. Everyone thinks i am making this up.
ReplyDeleteChristmas ornaments are horrible now... I didn't think of it as a kid even when other things bothered me. Because I was so used to decorating the tree every year but as I got older I really started noticing just how much they were hanging there.
DeleteAt 67 years old and having hidden from all things swinging all of my life it is great that I have found that I am not alone. As young as 5 or 6 I could not bear to go to a playground because of the swings. A swinging chandelier caused panic attacks and to this day seeing something swinging in the background of a movie is enough to make me panic.
ReplyDeleteOh god movies! It's not something I normally feel when I watch a movie but once in a while I'll be like know that thing is moving around in the movie I can't look at this scene.
DeleteAs i know i've some sort of it. moving objects which follows a symmetrical path or repetition make me uncomfortable. it's not just the objects... the light bulb flickering, even the ticking sound of clock in pin drop silence will do the same job. as i find similar in all this is just the predefined repetition of action.
ReplyDeleteI have come to know this fear about 5 or 6 years back. I have to run and try to stop a swing when someone gets off. I cannot watch my kids on rides at carnivals. If I look at the light above our table at a restaurant and its moving slightly I have to move. What the hell is causing this fear!
ReplyDeleteWhen somebody gets off a swing and I'm at the playground even when they are on the swings I have to look away. I can't even swing my niece on the swings because of this phobia.
DeleteI have this too. Visuals of anything hanging or swinging, and reverberating or loud sounds all set me on edge and can make me feel nauseous. I suspect it's a form of motion sickness causing it.
ReplyDeleteI feel you so hard. I was looking for someone on this thread who's triggered by just the thoughts of these things, and I couldn't find anyone for so long bc everyone just describes being triggered by the actual things. Thank you for posting; I'm sending courage and love.
Deleteiam also fear of sounds and moving things and it's not often, it's comes very rare, if I heard and thought of different sounds it comes,it's make me more fear, the fearing things is water moving, clothes moving,trees and fear of sounds , both will come make me more fear and miserable 😔😭😫
ReplyDeleteAt 7 years old it comes,i don't know what it is and now iam 21,iam also fear of sounds and moving things and it's not often, it's comes very rare, if I heard and thought of different sounds it comes,it's make me more fear, the fearing things is water moving, clothes moving,trees and fear of sounds , both will come make me more fear and miserable
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this! 😣 hugs
Deleteoh my gosh!! I've had this phobia since I was 4 (I'm 18 now) and have grown up feeling so embarrassed about it. My family has always teased me about it. I thought I was broken or something, thought I was the only one. I get full on panic attacks about it, especially if I can't get away from whatever is swinging. Once my uncle, not realizing that it actually gives me panic attacks, picked me up and put me in a swing that was sort of like a chair (for toddlers, but I was around 10 or so) and wouldn't let me get down and was rocking it around. I was screaming and crying. The biggest things that do it for me are the swing rides, most swings (but I sort of worked on that one when I was in elementary school because I wanted to play on the swings with all of my friends), ornaments on Christmas trees or really Christmas trees in general (I used to freak out if someone wasn't tip toeing around a Christmas tree. My dad would play with our dogs and stomp around and it gave me such bad anxiety because of the tree. I eventually made my parents get rid of our tree), and the pullstrings on ceiling fans. There's so much more that bothers me, but those are some of the big ones. I feel so relieved to know I'm not the only one out there with this issue! I felt so alienated about it for so long.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely not broken and there's nothing wrong with you. I'm sorry you've had to deal with all of this
DeleteIs it just me or does it water moving around annoy anyone else???
ReplyDeleteWater actually doesn't bother me that much thank goodness. But I can understand how that would be a thing.
DeleteMoving water is a bummer for me too
ReplyDeleteOh God, I have tears rolling down cause I have been trying very subtly to explain this fear to people around me and to stop doing things that aggravate it but in vain. Have even been mocked by some of my closest people. Never thought of searching about it earlier as I thought may be I am the who who is mad in head but its comforting to know that I an not alone. In india ceiling fans are common and when turned on highest mode, they not only rotate but also swing and it's very difficult for me to make people understand to keep the speed regulated. Most of the times I just walk out of the room before I get panic attack.
ReplyDeleteHoly crap on their highest setting I completely know exactly what you were talking about! My parents best friends have this fan above their dining room table and it has these gigantic lights on it. Of course there this big heavy glass and on its highest setting the whole fan with shake and the thing would be spinning and the light would be shaking and I would be so worried it was going to come down and break.
DeleteThis is a newfound fear of mine, although I think I've had it for a little longer than when I actually became aware of it. What gets me is I used to love swinging as a kid, and things like this never used to bother me. It came to my attention in January of this year when I couldn't stop thinking about these vertical blinds that never stop moving that hang in the painting studio at my school. It used to be a lot worse and they were basically on my mind all day, but now it's more of a passing thought, which I'm thankful for. The thing is, I'm discovered some new botherances now. Much like what you and other people have listed, I'm now bothered by/ afraid of trees swaying in the wind, waves moving in a large body of water (or even small ones), basically anything that swings, humming noises that never seem to stop, ringing noises like from bells or when you hit something that resonates, blinking lights, repetitive sounds, and I'm sure there's more. The common theme I've noticed is that these are all things that seem to never stop doing whatever they're doing. Even ticking clocks or the beating of my own heart has triggered me. Basically what happens when I'm triggered is I hyperfocus on whatever it is in front of me (swinging thing/ blinking thing/ sound) and then I start thinking about all the other things in the world like that that I cannot control. It's very overwhelming and even paralyzing sometimes. I wouldn't mind the intrusive thoughts if they weren't so debilitating. I have good days and bad days, but I notice that these thoughts are more just passing thoughts when I'm having a not so anxious day (I've also developed generalized anxiety this year and feel pretty on edge for most of my time, trying to avoid an attack. If anyone has any recommendations for treatment/ medication for anxiety I'll gladly take them, I'm new to therapy and this whole world of mental illness). I've also found that just being outside and breathing fresh air helps a lot, I feel like it clears my mind even though one of my fears involves the wind and anything and everything that it makes swing and sway. I just wish I wasn't triggered by the thoughts, because in the past I could just not look at those blinds/ whatever was swinging and kinda forget about it, and be fine whenever I left the area, but now the thoughts attack me whether I'm around these things or not. Does that make sense? Anyway, I do have fears of it getting a lot worse, but I really just try to trust the process of therapy/ journaling/ medication that I can be cured of these obscene triggers/ fears/ whatever. Because if I was able to function fine around these things/ without these thoughts before, I can get there again, right? Thanks everyone for sharing to make me feel less crazy, stay safe, and I send courage and love.
ReplyDeleteHey if you're crazy then I'm crazy hahaha. But you're definitely not alone
DeleteUnfortunately I feel the more powerful the imagination the worse over time is will get. I have a very vivid imagination that enjoys haunting me more than not. I came here looking for answers. Now I am going to find them. Ill keep you posted because I am not going to let this win. It is scaring me too much how limited my life is becoming because I can visualize the POSSIBILITY of motion.
DeleteA swinging light shade in the booth of a diner! Killer for me
ReplyDeleteI've had this since I was a little kid, as long as I can remember. I literally take anxiety medicine just for this. It's gotten worse the past few years, as I now have damage to the ocular lobe of my brain that causes me not to be able to view motion properly. Ceiling fans are my nemesis.
ReplyDeleteFuck they are horrible
DeleteIt's really nice not to feel so alone in this, seeing so many other people have it too
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely not alone
DeleteMe too I’ve never met anyone else with this but it’s so real
DeleteI read somewhere that maybe this affects highly intelligent people!! I don’t know if it’s true!? I’m very intelligent and have my own business, maybe it is!! Ha ha
ReplyDeleteSome people say I'm intelligent but I don't agree. I mean there are a lot of things that are difficulties specifically for people of higher intelligence so it could be.
DeleteMy son is 4 and he get scared sometime with hanging objects.....
ReplyDeleteHe plays normally at that place but suddenly one day day he will sout n scream on curtain is moving or swing.. although he plays with that swing or curtain every day...wht should I do..plz help
Well I'm not an expert but the less swinging and hanging objects that you have around the house the better.
DeleteSo. Aside all of the "common" things we go through as a group like the list of the post, i noticed an uncommon theme... loud music. Have any of us had our inner ears checked? My father seems to think it is an inner ear issue and the loud music would play into that... the only thing that would. One other thing I noticed is the varying degree of the phobia. I understand that is the case with most phobias, having a spectrum that is... but i cannot extract a base principle cause with our evidence.
ReplyDeleteSo I pose the question again: who here has had a doctor check out their inner ears?
I am going to attempt to schedule an appointment to get it done myself. Ill keep you guys posted on progress and results. You guys are my family now. Which makes you my loved ones. Which means I care. Anything I can do to help, please let me know.
We will find a solution. I don't want anyone going through this if it is preventable.
Not an ear issue for me
DeleteTire swings did it for me as a kid. Also large things that the wind blows like sail boat billows and the ropes attached flailing around freaks me out. My heart is pounding just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness tire swings!!!! Yikes yessdd
DeleteChandeliers also make me super uncomfortable especially after they’ve been cleaned and they are slightly swinging without getting completely still
ReplyDeleteAugh! I know that feeling! When anything that has the ability to move or wobble or swing a boat is touched for some reason and it is taking its time to get back to being still. It's terrible.
DeleteAbout*
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI came across your page.. after googling about why my daughter is so afraid of swings and never want to ride one. I am not sure if what she has is kineto or pendula. She freaked out when I tried to fly a kite. Kites moving scare her. Sometimes she refuses to bring things to play outside (balls, frisbee) because"afraid of being blown away by the wind". We were on tent having picnic and when the wind blow our tent then she was crying and begging me to go home. She used to reject walking in a hallway where there were ceiling fans that she said "moving too fast". It took long to convince her to ride scooter. And now I am having hard time teaching her how to ride bicycle. How would you deal with that?
ReplyDeleteWell I'm not entirely sure, but it definitely sounds like this is what she has. I would recommend, as much as it might not be your favourite thing to do, sending her to see some kind of child psychologist or psychiatrist who might be able to work with her on these things. I'm not a medical professional. Try to remind her that riding a bike won't be quite the same as other things moving around but if it's really that bad you might have to wait.
DeleteI have had the biggest fear of swinging when I was about 3, because the swing never seemed to go perfectly straight, always a little to the sides which was unsettling to me. I also get super panicked when I see verticular lamps move, like when someone accidentialy touches them it almost gives me a panic attack and I have to immidiately try to stop their movement and turn around until they are perfectly still. I also hate the movement of ocean waves, even the sound makes me feel disturbed. Another thing is the movement of the boat. I'm not sea sick but just the fact that it moves like that to the sides, especially when I'm on a said boat gives me a panic attack. That's why I could never go on a cruise, even though I probably couldn't feel the movement but still I could never risk a panic attack like that. I'm glad I'm not the only one with this weird phobia. Like where does it even come from?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to know I’m not the only one
ReplyDeleteHey, could we all join a Facebook group or something?
ReplyDeleteI'd love that but my group has remained empty
DeleteI’ve had this phobia for a while now. In fact my mother said I started showing symptoms of it at 9 months old. I am only just finding out what it’s called, and I am very happy to know I’m not the only one that has this. Btw I’m using my father’s account at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you now know
DeleteI have this phobia since I can remember and I use to think I’m crazy. Thank you fo writing about this phobia...
ReplyDeleteI have Alice in Wonderland syndrome as well, does anyone have this syndrome and this phobia? I’m trying to find the cause and relation.
It looks like people with this phobia is since they were young.
How to overcome this phobia. I even can't see people or things swinging in front of me. I evacuate the place as soon as possible to not confront the worst scene.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine having it to that extent! I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. I wish I had a solution.
DeleteI knew there had to be a name for this. Tire swings, helium balloons and the chains that hang down from ceiling fans and lights are awful! The more stressed I am, the worse it is. I have panic attacks just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh! Yeah it's worse when I am stressed more too!
DeleteI've had pendulaphobia from 3 and haven't recovered. It usually occurs at night and not much at the day. But when I ride the swings at the day it haunts me so much at night I cry, become scared of everything. The noise of swings and its motion, even me writing this scares me a lot thinking about it. now addition to that I get scared of moving cars or air or any type of noise. It got better overtime as I grow up but its still really scary. I don't think I can ever get over this.
ReplyDelete😫 I am so so sorry to hear this hugs
DeleteOmg i just found this blog, i dont know how long or how it even occurred for me to have this phobia, it ruins my life especially at work wherw i have constant things swinging about like wires (always try to qrap them around something) or feed tracks up in the air and when something hits it the whole thing moves or we have loose tracks that when ita hit it just full swings like swing sets but worse if anypme has a cure or some tyle of therapy or anything to get rid of this phobia please please let me know i try not to look at them swimging but even when they are and I know they are it just festers at my mind sayinf it is and my mind just makes me look
ReplyDeleteOh gosh that sounds just awful! I wish I knew how to help! Hugs
DeleteI get very anxious when I think of church bells moving and I hate the loud noise aswell (and I live right next to a church) or chandeliers or when a window is open and it's windy, so the window starts moving.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of wind
DeleteSo nice to know I am not alone. I have had this at least since middle school but I have very few memories from childhood so who knows. Only time I can handle anything swinging is when I have alcohol. My housemate loves swinging things and decore and I feel like such a shit policing what comes in and how it can be displayed. Can't help it panic attacks and vomitting is not fun! I am fine with hair and trees since they are natural but will feel ill if there is anything on the trees. There is a "cure" its called exposure theraphy and it is painfully unpleasant. I can now handle car dangles (that arnt long enough to hit the windscreen wtf people with long stone cross necklaces) and I tend to be able to handle things at my place of work now as long as I do not focus on them. Highly unpleasant but if there is ONE thing you definitley need to be around that triggers you, it might be a good idea to look into.
ReplyDeleteIm reading this post with a helium balloon strapped to my shirt as I am so tired of having this fear. Had to be about 4 when my dad took me to a parade and the balloon fell out of my hand and went to the sky. That was the first time.. Since then it has moved into other things that sway. I have taken anti axiety meds that help, along with congative behavioral therapy. Honestly though the only way I think i will get over it is to face the fear.. Little by little. Baby steps. It is time as like the rest of you, so tired of living like this.
ReplyDeleteI actually started researching if Virtual reality could be a help as a way to do some safe exposure therapy, but still In the exploration stage.
VR... interesting!
DeleteOmg! I thought I was the only one with this crazy issue! Is there a cure?? Hypnosis???
ReplyDeleteI know of no cure. I don't think this phobia has been researched enough..m
DeleteThe only things that bother me is swings, wind chimes, & loud noises. I don’t remember exactly when this issue started but it’s definitely bad now! I almost think this phobia is associated with OCD. I also will run late for work cause I go around and check to make sure everything is turned off fifty times before I can leave. I have a great horror of my house catching on fire!
ReplyDeleteTents or any material that can catch in the wind and inflate freak me out really badly, i refuse to go to bunnings on a windy day as i know the low hanging signs trigger me. When i visit my parents place my mother has to tie up all her wind chimes. Im not as bad as the original post but some days im better and some days i just think about it and get super anxious. The worst part is there is a hanging light in my house and thank god only one window affects it so i keep it closed but my housemates keep reopening it. Large open spaces also are a little triggering also. When i was a kid my parents legit thought i was sea sick fishing off a jetty but the sinkers hanging on the end of the lines triggered me lol took them a long time to understand. Especially since it kinda just happened to me out of the blue when i was around 10
ReplyDeleteI have had this since I was 2 when I had a little carboard cutout thing fall on me while I was sleeping, this shocked me and ever since I've hated all things that hang and swing, so glad to see that I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness yikes! 2? Hugs
DeleteI have the same phobia, I’ve had this since I was an infant! I have just started an Instagram acc, Satori_coach, we’re a wellness community. Talking about anxiety #pendulaphobia join us!
ReplyDeleteI’m not on Instagram, are you on Twitter or Facebook?
DeleteI don't remember the exact age this has started for me, but I've had it since I was at least 8. I'm 16 now. Most swinging things don't bother me too much, only giving me mild anxiety or discomfort, but the very worst thing for me is chandeliers/hanging lights. I have a couple chandeliers in my house, one in particular in my dining room that is low enough to bump your head on. That chandelier is my nemesis. When I was younger, I remember running out of the room crying whenever it moved at all. Then it eventually turned to freezing up and having a panic attack right then and there.
ReplyDeleteIn an effort to get over this phobia, I've tried my own form of exposure therapy. I've stood on a dining room chair so I can easily reach the chandelier, and gently nudged it before watching it and trying to control my panic. I think it's helped, being in a controlled environment. I don't remember having a full blown panic attack since I've started doing that, though I have definitely still gotten a bit panicky. I remember going to a restaurant with my family, and the waitress bumped one of the hanging lights above our table. I froze up in fear and tried not to look at it, and my dad offered to switch seats with me so I could distance myself from it. I'm lucky to have such a supportive family now, even though at first they didn't quite understand it. My older sister used to move the chandelier just to mess with me.
It's weird seeing so many people with similar experiences as me. Reading through these comments, I actually teared up a little. It's a little disappointing that this isn't an officially recognized phobia. Maybe in the future.
It’s horrible isn’t it!
DeleteYou are lucky! My family doesn't even know I have it
DeleteRestaurant low hanging lights over the table are a killer for me!
ReplyDeleteive had this since i was 4. the thing for me is that it takes over my body. when i see something i have panic attack. everyone i know thinks i found it online and im just faking it. i cant even go to the shop without have a panic attack. i have to have someon check in a bathroom when im somewhere im unfamiliar with to make sure there isnt a pull light that swings when you touch it. this phobia takes over my life!
ReplyDeleteThat's just awful I'm so sorry hugs
DeleteHi, I just found this site. This has been a problem for me since I was a baby. They had to take the mobile out of my crib. Windshield wipers were a real problem and so were keys hanging from the ignition. My mother said that as a toddler on a long ride in the rain I was uncontrollable screaming and ripping things apart, I pulled off her jewelry, tore her hair apart etc. I have been dealing with this for 54 years. Everything you list above bothers me. I have a list of restaurants I can tolerate. If it's a new restaurant I have to get to the table first so I can choose the "safest" seat. My family tolerates me, but it is difficult to widen my social circle because of it. Unfortunately, my new brother in law is obsessed with feeding birds so there are a dozen feeders in the front yard which freak me out when I pull up to the house.
ReplyDeleteI have a question for other commenters, did any of you walk or talk early, compared to normal growth standards? Did any of you have hearing problems?
I have a theory I am working on so I would appreciate any feedback.
I talked REALLY early. Hearing was better than perfect. My motor skills have always been terrible.
DeleteI was a late bloomer with my disabilities and all and my hearing is great so I'm not sure.we can be friends if you like.
DeleteHANGING Lights so many in my house the make me literally sit in my room and die
ReplyDeleteHoly hell that is not okay!!! I'm so sorry!
DeleteHi! I'm from Russia. I write through a translator, so there may be errors. I'm glad I found a similar post. In the Russian-language Internet, no one wrote about this problem. I had this problem about five years ago. I'm not afraid of hanging objects on a thick or hard base (which quickly stops all rolling) or light objects. But when I imagine a heavy iron ball on a thin thread , I feel dizzy, as if from alcohol. There is no fear, but a very strong feeling of discomfort. I don't get seasick in transport or in a car, I almost didn't get seasick in a boat. But I haven't liked swings since I was a kid. But this dislike was connected with trust: I did not trust anyone to rock me, because I was afraid that I would be rocked very much and I would spin around. It seems to me that my phobia is related to the fact that I can not influence the swinging object, that it will continue to roll even the slightest bit even after I stop it. We have stores in which plastic fences on thin threads (against coronavirus) are hung at the checkout and they are constantly swinging, it is so difficult for me to stand in line there to buy.
ReplyDeleteI also skydived. And what I was most afraid of was not the height, but the fact that the wind would make me swing on these slings. In general, this rarely bothers me, but I would really like to get rid of this phobia.
We need a Facebook group Emerald! I need to talk to other people who can understand my dear please...
ReplyDeleteFear not dear🤦🏻♀️
DeleteThere is one I made... but no one ever joined so... I dunno wanna recruit people?
DeleteI have Pendulaphobia as well. I am so glad that I am not alone. Thanks for sharing with the world.
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome
Delete