there strange things and can happen for many different reasons I knew a lad who couldn't cross a bridge and my ex, s auntie couldn't walk the direct route into town as there was a green railing fence that she couldn't pass without freaking out... makes no sense at all to anybody else but very real to the sufferers...I don't think anyone really knows why they happen.
sounds like a kick up the arse would sort the pair of them out,more to it than that maybe?
I will leave that for tb or mo to answer .