The Brinaphobia Page

Mark,

I know the devastating affect that phobia's can have on an individual. The fear, the ridicule and the lonliness that can come from having a phobia of any kind. But being a brinaphobiac has nearly ruined my life. For many years I could not eat in any restaurant that served sandwiches as their main menu item for fear of being near a pickle. For too long I would not take a cart down the condiments aisle of the food store because of the jar after jar of pickles. I can only imagine the number of sandwiches you have had to throw away because of pickles. It has cost me several friends and my family has pretty much disowned me. But in the past few years I have found a wonderful therapist and have started the long road to recovery, if full recovery is possible. I urge all of your readers to seek help for their brinaphobia like I have.
Thanks for giving your fellow brinaphobiacs a place to try to help ourselves. It is greatly appreciated!

Candace/NJ

As you can see from this message, some aren't concerned with our malady. None are so blind as those who will not see!

From: "Stingers"
To: mboxm@flash.net
Subject: Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2001 12:33:27 -0500

I think the best therapy is to soak in a solution of vinegar, sugar and your favorite spice. Soak for at least six hours until you become pickled. Get out and fix yourself your favorite sandwich. After a couple of bites, I think you will have a craving for pickles. Go to the store and get a jar of pickles and GET OVER IT!

From: "AllisonR"
To: mboxm@flash.net
Subject: My personel hell
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 01:28:45 -0500

Mark, I read the response from Stingers and I think it is just awful the way some people treat vicitms of phobias. I personally don't have a fear of pcikles and in fact like pickles, but I do suffer from a fear of heights. I am unable to fly, climb a ladder or even go on a roller coaster. Thankfully, I have found a therapist who is helping me overcome my fears and in time I hope to conquer them for good. I wish you the best in finding some one to help you as I have. Best wishes to you in your struggle!

Allison

Sometimes the kind words are therapy enough!

From: Jsn12585@aol.com
To: mmalham@iupui.edu
Time: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 22:24:29 EDT
Subject: Pickles!

UghI too have a great fear of pickles! I never have been able to tell anyone due to the shame of it all. But you have been the light that has pierced my darkness of this disease. You Mark are my hero and my saviour for exposing this ridiculed phobia. No I am not crazy! The mere thought of a pickle ever touching my cheese burger is enough to make me hurl. Thank you for giving me the courage to come out of the jar on this topic.

Suzy C.
Chicago
PS - I think that you are a realk hunk! Keep posting pictures of you!!

Well the kind words are always appreciated, but it's those who seek to help who mean the most. And then when we can overcome and show our strenght and touch others, brinaphobia seems so insignificant!

From: kimmi76@aol.com
To:mmalham@iupui.edu
Time: Thu, 29 May 2003 14:57:32 EDT
Suject: Re:

All of your words here tell of your pain and how you and your fellow brinaphoes must suffer. It is so apparent in your words. I just stumbled across your page in a search engine and was really enjoying your pictures. Such a brave face you put on for the world. I only hope that one day I can have the strength of you and your commiserants. Thank you for making me feel that I can overcome my miniscule problems as you have obviously overcome your affliction.

By the way, I was at the track on Carb Day and I think I saw you taking those pictures. I'm kind of surprised I didn't see myself!

Kim