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Are you one who finds yourself thinking about Friday the 13th and feeling anxiety over the superstitious day, then you may be suffering from a condition known as Triskaidekaphobia. Let me help you with that, it’s pronounced, “tris-kai-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh.” I had to say it out loud a few times too to get it right. Simply put, it’s a fear of things having to do with the number 13.
Research psychologist Dr. Frieda Birnbaum weighed in on this bit of fear that we didn’t know was a real thing. Birnbaum says millions of us suffer from this phobia and because of it, many will even stay home from work today or just alter what we will and won’t do. She says people are actually safer on Friday the 13th because they’re in fact, more cautious.
The fear of “13” has a wide-ranging effect. One that Birnbaum says you may see play out on the stock market and airlines. Take a look the next time you get on an elevator in a modern building with more than 13 floors. She points out that many buildings today don’t have a 13th floor. They go from 12 skipping straight to 14. But as for Friday the 13th, the good doctor notes that people who fear this day are trying to blame fateful events in their lives on something.
TIPS: If you suffer from a fear of 13, here’s what Birnbaum suggests. Try to gain more control of your life. She says when we look to other things in our lives to tell us where we should be, that can lead to anxiety and trigger a phobia.
But how do you gain control of your life…click HERE for some steps you can take.
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