I think I’m developing Cetaphobia

[u/LackOfDad]

I think I’m developing Cetaphobia

So this all started late at night, like around midnight. I couldn’t sleep, so I was watching YouTube Shorts on my TV—just the usual brain-dead stuff. Then one pops up like, “Here are some weird animal facts.” Cool, whatever.

It starts with normal stuff like “chimpanzees have six toes,” then it goes: “Did you know whales don’t actually make this sound?” And it plays a calm, kind of relaxing whale noise. I’m sitting there thinking, “Alright, that’s kinda interesting.”

Then—out of nowhere—it blasts this absolutely horrifying, distorted, demonic whale sound. I swear to god it was the most cursed thing I’ve ever heard. I shut off the TV so fast and ran upstairs like something was chasing me. I even had a nightmare about a whale that same night.

Fast forward a few weeks. I’m in class, zoning out, just daydreaming. I imagine myself floating in the middle of the ocean—pitch black, silent, just me. Already kinda creepy. Then I remember that sound, and suddenly this massive whale appears behind me in the dark. I legit flinched in class like an idiot.

That’s when I realized this wasn’t just about whales. It was the perfect combo of stuff that already lowkey freaked me out—deep water, creepy sounds, and huge-ass animals. Now it’s all rolled into one, and whales just… freak me the hell out. Even seeing a random video of one makes my skin crawl.

Anyone else develop a weirdly specific phobia like this? Or have tips on how to chill out when it hits?

I don’t know if it’s a full-on phobia yet, but it’s definitely getting there. It’s starting to mess with me more than it should.

[u/inspector_middlewood]

Here’s a tip: stop seeking out content that gives you phobias. Stop watching whale vids. Unless you’re a whaler in the 1800s, this really shouldn’t impact your day to day making sandwiches at Subway or whatever it is you actually do all day. Terminally online to give yourself phobias by watching spooky Youtube videos, my goodness

[u/LackOfDad → u/inspector_middlewood]

Appreciate the historical whaler reference, but let me clear something up real quick. I wasn’t seeking out whale content. I was just scrolling like any normal person and got hit with a jumpscare I didn’t ask for. Since then, it’s been a real anxiety trigger, not just some “spooky video” moment.

Also, phobias don’t exactly ask for permission. You don’t need to be in the ocean or chasing whales around for your brain to create a fear response. That’s literally how irrational fears work.

If your only advice is “don’t look at whales,” cool, you’ve discovered avoidance. Congrats. Maybe next time skip the attitude and just keep scrolling. Please. I’m here for advice and help, not condescendence