[jtracy]

I have read many times that the only way to get rid of a fear is to go out and do the thing you're afraid of. Apparently the definition of fear is "Fantasized Experiences Appearing Real" However I agree that in your case it would be a very good idea to make a list of all the things you're afraid of and look for a common theme among them. That way you may be able to find out what you're REALLY afraid of, and when you know what the problem is it will be much easier to find a solution for it. Have you looked into psychotherapy?

Jack Canfield suggests several ways of dealing with fear. One is to ask yourself what you are imagining is scary to you and then replace that image with its positive opposite. Another is to focus on the physical sensations you are feeling and then focus on those feelings you would like to experience instead (ex courage, self-confidence, calm, joy). Fix these two different impressions firmly in your mind's eye, then slowly shuttle back and forth between the two, spending about 15 seconds in each one. After a minute or two the fear will dissapate. Another is to scale down the risk, do whatever aspect of the goal would be easiest for you, and then gradually work up to doing the whole thing.

Finally, if your fear is really a phobia, he suggests using a technique developed by Dr Roger Callahan. "The process uses a simple but precise pattern of tapping on various points of the body while you simultaneously imagine the object or experience that stimulates your phobic reaction. It acts in much the same way as a virus in a computer program by pernamently interrupting the "program" or sequence of events that occur in the brain between the initial sighting of the thing you are afraid of...and the physical response...you experience" Maybe this would help?