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30
Dec 2023
Killinghall man overcomes balloon phobia to launch new venture
A man has overcome his phobia of balloons bursting to launch his own balloon modelling venture.
James Massey has had ligyrophobia, an irrational fear of loud noises that can cause anxiety and panic, all his life.
He was around a year old when a party popper went off in his great-grandfather's face, causing him to yell out in shock. Although his great-grandfather was uninjured, the incident scared James so much it triggered a fear of balloons, party poppers and fireworks.
James, 25, who lives in Killinghall, said:
Globophobia is a fear of balloons bursting, although people can also be triggered by the texture and smell. Having unsuccessfully tried cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), James went for hypnotherapy sessions which went some way to helping him manage his phobia.
He also decided to try to view balloons in a less threatening way, and became drawn to YouTube tutorials on balloon modelling. Soon he found he was more focused on the design and construction of the models than he was on the fear the balloons might burst.
Since then, James has set up a Facebook page under the name The Balloon Stop and has made columns and arches for parties and other celebrations, charging a modest amount mainly to cover the cost of materials. He’s constantly learning new designs and is hoping to grow the venture further next year.
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