cripple
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Related to cripple: handicapped, Crips
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crippling fear
A debilitating, paralyzing fear that keeps one from being able to do or interact with some particular thing. My mother used to have a crippling fear of driving. It was so bad that she didn't drive for nearly 25 years. I have a crippling fear of bugs and scream for my parents any time I see one in the house. Public speaking is a crippling fear for a lot of people.
crippling fear of (something)
A debilitating, paralyzing fear that keeps one from being able to do or interact with some particular thing. My mother used to have a crippling fear of driving. It was so bad that she didn't drive for 25 years. I have a crippling fear of bugs and scream for my parents any time I see one in the house. Well, if Grandma's coming, we'll have to drive there because she has a crippling fear of flying.
emotional cripple
1. Someone who is unable or finds it difficult to form or express emotions, thus hindering their ability to properly relate to other people. Raised by a single father who was at best distant and at worst abusive, Jonathan grew up a cold, emotional cripple, with no friends or companions. I knew I'd become an emotional cripple unless I went to therapy and processed the traumatic experiences from my youth. Communication is so important in relationships. I don't know how you two are going to make it work if he's an emotional cripple.
2. Someone who has become incompetent, indecisive, socially alienated, helpless, or apathetic due to an overwhelming and debilitating experience or abundance of negative emotions. My anxiety has left me an emotional cripple—I can do little more than make myself breakfast each day. When my depression was more severe, I was basically an emotional cripple who could barely get out of bed in the morning. I don't want to take medication for my mental health issues, but I don't want to be an emotional cripple either.
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