Anyone heard of this phobia - fear of floor collapse?

[mom2ariana]

for as long as i can remember, i have had a fear of floor collapse. i think it started when i was little and read in the newspaper that  truck had been under a bridge that collapsed. that seemed to introduce me to the possibility. to find out that something you've trusted can fail at a young age can be somewhat traumatizing. now i am scared when im in homes, apartments, etc... my husband and i - despite my opposition - live in an apartment unit on the top floor. sometimes it scares me and other times it doesnt. i get terrified when i think about how heavy the couch is, or the fridge, or especially the washing machine when it's loaded and running. i get nervous bringing home heavy bags of groceries. we are moving into another unit soon and its also on the top floor. im scared of the move. scared to move furniture in. i dont know how to overcome this phobia, but sometimes it can really interfere with my happiness. the thought of buying a home is not as happy as it should be because im scared of the top floors. ive told my husband repeatedly that i want a ranch. anyone ever heard of this?

[Almaross]

I have this same thing!!! Looking back I had a mild version of this phobia as a child, I would get a sick feeling when the swings would bump. Then as I got into early teens I got anxiety when my parents put an elliptical on the second floor of our home above out foyer... I didn't really notice it until recently I found myself being very nervous at the cottage - asking if trees have ever fallen down on the roof. The cottage was raised, as was the deck and when people walk on the deck I could feel it, when I mentioned that to the owner he said the wood was rotting and would need to be replaced in the coming years. It's only a foot off the ground, and I sat there trying to logically call myself down saying I wouldn't be hurt if it fell but it didn't make me feel any better. The fear is getting irrational... I get sick when I can feel the vibration of the washer and dryer. I even worry about my bed being held up by only four corner posts. I wish I knew the name for this!

[Herdofshepherds]

I have both of these - the fear of trees falling thru the roof when the wind picks up AND the fear of falling thru the 2nd floor of a building. It's been 3 years since you posted this. Have you had any luck overcoming it. It is paralyzing sometimes.

[Paxiled]

I would only say, phobias are an anxiety problem.  It's not so much what a particular person is phobic about as the fact their lives are bothered so much by them.  

[Laurenclaire91]

I have had the same thoughts about everything.
I’ve had these thoughts since I can remember.
Trees falling, buildings collapsing, the weight of certain things. I’ve travelled when I’m as younger and could manage it but now that I’m 28 and I’ve just had a baby is sparked back up. Having something that you care so much about feels like you have it double and about more. I want to really try find a way to deal with it because I don’t want it to effect my babies life. And it stop me from doing things.
It was nice to read that other people feel the same way. They are just thoughts we all have. But maybe we could try help each other out with trying to figure out how to think about it and make our anxiety a little less. I’ve tried hypnotherapy (it didn’t work how you would think but it was still helpful). I’m going to try talk to a different psychologist. I was even thinking of talking to an architect or town planner so they could explain the science of how things are made to with stand weights.
Anyway it was so nice to hear other people’s thoughts on this. And it will be ok.

[Paxiled]

Try a form of therapy called CBT.  Might help.

[AMYYYB]

Wow finally I'm not alone! I get so terrified calculating the weight of everything in the room people and furniture included. My hands start to sweat and my mouth goes dry and I start to feel really sick and need to get out. At work we have staff meetings in this converted cottage and the floor is really bouncy and when the door slams downstairs it bounces so bad and then it starts! The room isn't huge. There's a MASSIVE 6 piece table in the middle with 12 chairs full of people. I always sit near the door but it still doesn't help. I feel sick thinking about it and I'm sat in bed now. I look for bungalows to rent as I don't think I can live forever like this it's horrible. It only started when I was 18 and I'm 25 now. I miss not being scared all the time. I even have nightmares about it. I need help but I'm scared if I get help I will be oblivious to the fact I'm going to fall through the floor so I feel I need to know about it. If that makes sense?

[Pchezz]

I have this same fear i wish i knew the name!!!

[Lisa1960s]

I have had this same type of panic attack since I was 15.  I am now 54.  I just had one tonight after being at Thanksgiving dinner with too many people in the house.  I have spent the last hour panicking about Christmas being at our place.  My husband and I live in a upper floor apartment and am freaking out because my son and daughter in law are on the large side.  I've been on citalopram for years and for the most part in works.  It's just the rare times like these that are debilitating.  It is absolutely terrifying to the point I have had to leave my home because I was positive that something was going to happen or have to get out of the car and sit on the side of the road until it passes.  I need help!

[kstar521]

I am on citalopram too, for over 10 years... Wonder if it is related.

[Alexah03]

Do you think it’s a side affect from citalopram?

[kstar521]

Wow, this happens to me too. Sometimes in cars too, it freaks me out when a car (especially older) is packed ... I feel like it will just fall apart. Sometimes I can deal but other times I can't get it off my mind. Reminding myself it is silly - a "phobia" - helps but I wonder if there are other ways to think about these things to help ease the worry...

[Dreamgirl248]

Omg I legit have the same phobia with cars, it feels like if too many people are in it, if two people that weigh a lot sit on one side and one person sits on the other, one side of the car will fall apart

[specialmom]

Understand.  Is this a fleeing fear or a panic attack moment?  Does it impact you much or just fearful thoughts that run through your mind?

[Bahbahrah]

I have suffered from the same phobia almost my whole life.  I fear that floors are not strong enough to hold the weight of furniture and people.  I fear that cupboards cannot hold the weight of dishes.  I fear that furniture can't hold the weight of people.  I will not take a bath (only showers) because in my mind I calculate the weight of the water plus a body.  I, too, have suggested a house on a slab instead of over a basement.  I rarely have over more than a couple because I cannot enjoy an evening if we have multiple people in our living room. The only thing that helps me is using certain essential oils that are calming.  I have considered hypnotherapy to try to find the root of my phobia.  I guess I'll let you know if that works.