I know many of you have been concerned about Ann’s ommarichophobia – Fear of Eye brows about which I posted earlier. Read it HERE.
I am pleased to inform you that after many days of increasingly intense exposure therapy she is now cured. Thank you for your concern and prayers on her behalf.
Ommatrichophobia – Fear of Eyebrows
Our time in Florida’s has been exceptionally pleasant; sunny and warm weather, connections with friends and neighbors, good food, outdoor concerts, farmers market, entertaining movies, antique show, and beach time.
One special aspect of our annual Florida visits is the opportunity for time together as a couple. Although being retired naturally provides more together time, Florida time is different and a nice change of pace. However, this year we have encountered a new and unusual challenge which is the subject of this post: Ommatrichophobia – Fear of Eyebrows .
Ann and I have been married for 57 years and you would think there isn’t much we don’t know about one another.,but I have recently come to realize Ann suffers from Ommatrichophobia – fear of eyebrows. Do not brush this aside, phobias are serious.
Fear generated by phobias can produce physiological changes in the body, accelerating the breathing rate, heart rate, leading to blushing and increasing muscle tension causing “goose bumps”, sweating, increased alertness leading to sleep disturbance and “butterflies in the stomach”. Concerning as they are, it gets complicated when you realize they also symptoms of sexual arousal.
Ann’s condition, probably one she has suffered from quietly for many years, is not unheard of. In recent years, UK basketball star Anthony Davis, in a brilliant marketing ploy, trademarked “fear the Brow” preying on ommatrichophobia.
So you are probably wondering what precipitated Ann’s current ommatrichophobia episode. As best I can discern, it started when I decided to exercise my inalienable right as an old man to pursue happiness. Happiness, in this case being defined as the freedom from culturally imposed conventions, namely neatly trimmed eyebrows There is no need to provide further justification for my decision, but I will any way.
Besides Anthony Davis, numerous Famous personalities have sported bushy eyebrows. My favorite is John L. Lewis. He was a notoriously tough union leader. I have wondered if someone had trimmed his eyebrows, would he have become powerless like Samson? Could he have ever bullied and intimidated without them? I think not.
How could anyone possibly imagine Andy Rooney being an effective curmudgeon without his signature eyebrows?
Beyond selfish reasons, there are some natural factors involved. As men get older it is very common to find their eyebrows have suddenly taken on a new lease of life and grown wild, bushy and out of control The change in eyebrows is due to hormonal changes. For many their levels of testosterone remain at a good level or even continue to increase up to the age of around 70 and this can encourage vigorous hair growth particularly in areas that were perhaps not as robust in younger years – areas such as the nose, ears and eyebrows. I’m not sure about testosterone levels but I can attest to some robustness.
I am not unsympathetic to Ann.In fact, I have researched treatment options and have decided to initiate some exposure therapy (Exposure therapy involves exposing the target patient to the anxiety source or its context without the intention to cause any danger. Doing so is thought to help them overcome their anxiety or distress.) in hopes of resolving her ommatrichophobia. Basically, that involves continued growth of my eyebrows and regular, intense eye contact with Ann. I anticipate when my eyebrows achieve the stature of this gentleman, she will be cured.
Of course your your thoughts and prayers for Ann’s healing are welcome.
Enjoy your week.
No surprise.
That all too familiar realization, occurred again this week in conversation with my neighbor. Here’s the back story.
I walked next door to have conversation with our neighbors. They regularly sit on their lanai and I had not talked with them since our arrival. It was a good conversation. I was pleased to learn that Rick is a woodworker and turner. Even better, he turns segmented bowls. Finding common interest the conversation turned to the challenge creating segments for bowls. ( don’t want to get into the weeds here, so bear with me)
I mentioned that as long as you cut segments at 30 degrees, 12 piece rings work well. He immediately corrected me, saying no, they are cut at 15 degrees. My response was quick. No, it’s 30 degrees. I did not argue, but his qualifications became suspect. Convinced I was correct, I redirect the conversation and we talked for a while longer.
(Fast forward two days )
I admitted (to myself) that I was wrong.
What happened in the intervening days is the subject of this post. I believe My experience revealed some dynamics that fuel disagreement, division, discord, even hatred and violence in our society and can possibly be helpful.
Here is what happened after our first conversation. Some of you may recognize my commitment to my rightness. Rick’s assertion that I was wrong triggered a relentless mental turmoil for me. I searched the internet for confirmation of my position. Finding none, I was mildly encouraged that I didn’t find absolute proof I was wrong.
I know it’s weird, but I awoke during the night. Laying in bed, I searched my memory for confirmation of my position, working through the logic that I used to reach my conclusion. Given the subject, my discomfort was beyond any reasonable measure. Although I harbored doubts, I remained steadfast that I was correct. My morning began with another search for confirming information.
Later in the day while sitting on my lanai, another neighbor, Bill, stopped to visit. It seems that he had heard I am a wood turner and being one also, he wanted to meet me. We had a great conversation. He, too, makes segmented bowls. Bill went to his place and brought some of his work for me to see. He is an outstanding wood turner. His segmented pieces are beautiful. My other neighbor, Rick, joined the conversation and eventually we got to cutting segments. Looking for support in my 30 degree position, I was sure Bill, being an expert, would confirm I was correct. When I mentioned cutting at 30 degrees, he looked at me with such a way that it was clear he didn’t agree. Joining with Rick, they proceeded, in a gentlemanly manner to tell me I was wrong. Wisely, I changed the subject.
I believe the mental gymnastics I described, produced from those conversations, are not unlike most people’s reaction when told they are wrong. I know a lot of people (including myself) that are adamant they are not mistaken in their rightness. Somehow our belief that we are right trumps the truth that we are fallible beings.
Here are some takeaways from those conversations:
IF you are interested, here are a couple of earlier related posts: