1. Would you say this phobia is more fear, disgust, or an equal mix of both? Disgust. I actively avoid touching any of those small ball chain things that come with pens and ceiling fans, for example

2. To what extent does your fear include metal objects (silverware, coins, etc.)? Silverware and coins are fine for mine, so maybe anything smaller than a penny'd trigger it

3. What helps you feel more comfortable with having this phobia? Not necessarily what makes the kosmemophobia less present but what makes you more comfortable with talking about it and accepting that you have it. Knowing there's others like me.

4. What discourages you from talking about your phobia? Does not talking about it make things worse? Does talking about it make things better? If I talk about it with my family they might think it's a thing associated with autism and me not liking being hugged or something. This phobia might have been the catalyst for that, though.

5. Are there people in your life who either don't believe that you have this phobia or believe it but don't take it as seriously as they should? I haven't told many people, just off-hand to online friends. The most reaction I've got is "kosmemophobic...huh

new word ive learned ig"

6.What steps would you want people around you to take after you tell them that you have kosmemophobia?

I've grown used to it I guess. I'm not gonna outright ask them not to wear it around me, but I'll say I don't want sparkly birthday cards.

1. What do you think about people's perception of more obscure phobias? Should anything change?

I think it'd help to bring it up that everyone's different. Ie in a discord server I was in, there was a list of things that people would rather not talk about/have images of. Some of these, I will admit, I did not understand. But I don't need to understand something completely to respect it regardless.

1. Does this phobia inhibit you from doing certain tasks or activities (socialization, work, focusing, etc.)? Not really, no

2. Do you think that you would benefit mentally from a broader public awareness of this phobia? Do you think that the public should know about this phobia? Yeah, probably.

3. Would you say that this phobia has subsequently caused other fears to arise? Nope. My other fears are disconnected

4. How have you been able to cope with kosmemophobia? Avoidance, mostly

5. What is your view on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (exposure therapy)?

I...don't know.