My technical meanderings and other nonsense. Published since 2002. No, really. I'm *that* internet-old. I remember the days of I hate the sound of styrofoam. I have my whole life. When I hear it – specifically, when someone is handling styrofoam, and either slides it up against something else (such as when you’re packing something contained in styrofoam into a cardboard box), or just rummages it through their hands, I instantly get goosebumps and shivers down my spine. Prolonged exposure to the sound (anything more than a few seconds), I start to feel the urge to throw up. To me, it’s the most uncomfortable sound in the world.
Over the years, I’ve wondered why I am so sensitive to the sound of styrofoam, and if anyone else has this same problem. I’ve researched it on the internet, only to find very few clues as to the source of my problem.
I’d like to stop experiencing the sheer agony whenever I hear styrofoam. I’d like to get over it. But I don’t know how, and if it’s even possible.
If I had to imagine a therapy program for getting over the sound of styrofoam, I’d picture it going something like this.
I’d go through a series of exposures where I hear the sound of styrofoam, but I somehow practice diverting my attention to something peaceful. I do this, say… three times a day. Over a few weeks or months, eventually I start associating the sound of styrofoam with something peaceful, and then get rid of the problem.
I’m not sure this will work, and I’m no hypnotherapist, but it seems like it could help. At first it will be extremely difficult, but over time I may find it easier to hear the styrofoam.
dude, i know how you feel. I hate styrofoam just like you do. I abhor the freaking thing! Let me know if the therapy works.
Wow, someone at my office who repeatedly makes fun of me for freaking out about styrofoam sent me this article, thinking it was just a joke but I am very surprised and relieved that I am not alone. I dont think i could handle the “therapy” you suggested but best of luck to you.
I found the article while looking for info too. As for therapy…No way! I embrace my superior understanding of the innate disgustingness of styrofoam. :-)
Then there’s the disgust and eventually nausea I would feel when tryting to focus on some very tiny thing for too long.
These things are disgusting! They’re just wrong, and any non-repulsive human wouldn’t engage in such activities.
I found the article while looking for info too. As for therapy…No way! I embrace my superior understanding of the innate disgustingness of styrofoam. :-)
Then there’s the disgust and eventually nausea I would feel when tryting to focus on some very tiny thing for too long.
These things are disgusting! They’re just wrong, and any non-repulsive human wouldn’t engage in such activities.
http://amasci.com/amateur/screet.html
I am the same way. I absolutely hate the sound. And I have no clue why.
Me too hate it i gag and want to throw up when i hear it. and sadly i have to make a co2 car in tech ed class and before we can make our cars we have to make a model of it out of styrofoam. I don’t think i can do it. I’ll most likely throw up.
I am the same way too! My friends think that I am crazy when I plug my ears and have someone else unpackage anything with the nasty stuff in it!
I am the same way! But mine is a bit more broad- I don’t like the sound of paper products. Example: sitting in a pizza place when they are constructing the card board boxes is pure torture. The mere thought of wood chopsticks rubbing together (or worse- scraping the inside of my mouth whole eating sushi) gives me full body goosebumps instantly. I once told my coworkers and now they are constantly looking for ways to freak me out; they are convinced that I’m “afraid” of the sounds and am thus afraid of everything and missing out on life. I’m not scared of them, they just make me really uncomfortable. Needless to say, their exposure techniques have yet to succeed in “curing” me…
Ps: why must people scrape the bottom of their styrofoam cups after their ice cream is gone? It’s dead people (dead, over, gone) , its okay to move on…
I hate it too. just got a package with a styrofoam box covering what i bought. i had to call my cousin to come over and take it out of the box while i went up stairs humming loudly just in case i heard her taking it out. i get goosebumps. just writing this is giving me goosebumps because it makes me think of the sound. thank god i found someone else who feels like i do.