Where does the fear come from? Simple. Many phobic auto responses to stimuli were installed sub-consciously into our brains through simple 'pavolov's dog' sessions three times a week.
This is our bain that many carry from the WTBS. I've got a friend on this board that I used to pioneer with long ago that seems to not have this response. I'm more like you. The answer? Go watch the movie A Beautiful Mind. The lead character never lost his imaginary friends..... he just chose to ignore them. That technique works for me.