Chinese woman with rare balloon phobia seeks cure

A woman with a rare phobia of balloons is getting treatment with the help of her employer after suffering several traumatic episodes on the job.

Xiao Qian (pseudonym) said her phobia first struck during her company’s annual gala in Shenzhen three years ago when a colleague popped a balloon behind her.

“I fell off the stage,” Xiao Qian told Yangcheng Evening News. “I was hyperventilating, my limbs went numb and I ended up convulsing on the floor.”

Coworkers rushed her to a local hospital, where doctors gave her a clean bill of health.

A psychiatric evaluation, however, revealed Xiao Qian had globophobia – a rare condition that stems from the fear of a balloon popping.

The anticipation of a sudden burst is so crippling to sufferers that sometimes even the smell of a balloon can trigger a reaction.

Xiao Qian said she had a total of five episodes at work, the latest in December while eating in the company cafeteria. “I asked my colleague to get rid of the balloon and ran away immediately, but it was too late,” said Xiao Qian.

Wang Liufeng, the psychologist who evaluated Xiao Qian, has so far prescribed a mix of therapy of medication. “This will help relieve her fear enough to recognize her condition and help her better function in daily life,” said Wang.

Xiao Qian’s employer, surnamed Zhao, said the company would cover her treatment.