I'm not sure, but that is abnormal. I won't call it ridiculous because it is real to you, but it's definitely unusual and unhealthy.
You may not have been abused, but there's some reason you have a fear of being assaulted. There is a cause. We all fear getting physically hurt, of course--that's why I keep a bo staff and throwing stars on me at all times--but your concern has become exaggerated and irrational. If it's not already interfering with your life and your happiness, it will.
Is it possible that you were abused but do not remember it? I'm sure you are familiar with the phenomenon of repressed memories. Or maybe you grew up in a volatile household with a father or brother(s) who were prone to anger and temper outbursts. They might never have hurt you, but in your mind the threat was still there.
For that matter, I'm not even sure your insecurity is gender-specific. You might simply be afraid of being hurt by anyone, male or female, but fear men because they tend to be physically stronger than women. And your fear of physical harm may only be symbolic of deeper concerns of being hurt in other ways, just like that dream about going to school naked isn't about being naked at all.
I'm not a shrink, though, and that's really what you need. You have a deep-seated insecurity that should be a discussed with a licensed therapist. You're not mental--it's a neurosis. We all have them. Yours can be treated and dissipated with some professional help, which I encourage you to seek.
Very good response Cary. Those fears are there and sometimes we can't point a finger to something tangible or logical and say why we have that irrational fear, but it's there. And it sounds like this could be impacting their ability to get close to men or people who they feel physically threatened by. Definitely time to seek some professional help.
Could be a touch of Androphobia... A persistent and irrational fear of men - often linked to past abuse. But since you say you weren't abused I suppose it could be from that continuous feed we're getting from the media about men being dangerous (starts at a young age with "stranger danger", to college age date-rape warnings to bi- to tri-weekly news reports about serial rapists etc. etc.)
There is no need to suffer with this. Get in touch with a counselor if it starts interfereing with your day to day life is really the only advice I could think of. There are lots of treatments for phobias from gradual exposure, to relaxation techniques, to hypnosis, to medication (if necessary).
i kind of have the same problem, except probably more low key
Or maybe in a past life she was gangbanged and she's carried the trauma into this life! Or not.
Stupid response, Cary. You're thinking too much. Sometimes irrational fears are just that--irrational fears. I'm afraid of dogs...why? I don't know. I've never been hurt by one. I'm pretty sure I haven't repressed any memories of being attacked by a dog, too. I've just never really been around many dogs...wait, I may be onto something here!
Could it be that she grew up without a father or brothers, and is just not very accustomed to having men around her?
Her fear isn't abnormal. It is very real. Men ARE bigger and stronger than women. A man can easily overpower a woman if he wanted--and many do on a daily basis. It's just highly unlikely.
Here is some good, practical advice: start pumping that iron, missy!
I can't argue. Clearly you are a genius. Pumping iron is the answer, yes! Why didn't I think of that?
You're an a*s. What she posted is a legitimate issue that is both emotional and mentally problematic for her. Not a simple fear of dogs.
Here is some good, practical advice: Why don't you go to the dog park, find a leash, walk on four legs, play some fetch, and maybe even take a dump in the grass, a*shole!
Heh heh. Right on.