Phobias, also known as excessive or irrational fears, can cause deep senses of dread or panic. You can develop a phobia of, well, just about anything. Phobophobia, or the fear of phobias, is an example of how specific phobias can actually be. Phobia severity ranges from a mild annoyance, to paralyzing fear. Oftentimes, people realize that their fear is irrational, but they can’t help being afraid of it. They are caused by both genetic and environmental factors; children with a close family member with an anxiety disorder are at risk, as well as distressing events and exposure to the phobia. Furthermore, people with traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse, depression, and underlying medical conditions are at higher risk.
Common Phobias
Social phobias are by far the most common phobias; they’re actually considered an anxiety disorder. You may have a social phobia if you are excessively self-conscious in social situations, or fear being judged by others. Up to one in twenty people have a social phobia.
Acrophobia, or fear of heights, is another common phobia. This phobia can be with something huge (like the top of a roller coaster) or as simple as an escalator. This phobia can cause Vertigo, which is a medical condition where dizziness develops.
Claustrophobia, contrary to popular belief, is not the fear of Santa Claus, but the fear of enclosed spaces. This phobia is sometimes linked to Pteromerhanophobia, or the fear of flying. People with this phobia say they feel like the walls are closing in on them. Some theories suggest a genetic link as a kind of survival mechanism.
Entomophobia, ophidiophobia, and cynophobia are all fears of different animals; Entomophobia is the fear of creepy crawly insects; Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes (I myself have this fear!), and cynophobia is a fear of dogs.
Trypanophobia is oftentimes seen in the big tattooed men; it is the fear of needles. Needles, however, are worth the discomfort when administering medications, vaccines, or ink into the body. Needles are also used to investigate a potential illness.
Uncommon Phobias
Coulrophobia, or the fear of clowns, is actually really understandable. Maybe you had a clown at your 5th birthday, or maybe your older cousin sent you the “Master of Puppets” music video when you were eight years old. However developed, it is a real phobia, and many people have it.
Trypophobia is the aversion to the sight of anything honeycomb-like in pattern, or something with a lot of holes in it. Although not recognized as a mental disorder, it is still classified as a phobia, if there is excessive fear and distress when shown irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps.
Glossophobia, or speech anxiety, is the fear of public speaking. This oftentimes occurs in high school, and can stem from the fear of being judged or sounding dumb. It manifests itself differently in different people; some can speak publicly to strangers without a problem, and can’t speak to a group of their friends. Some people, on the other hand, can talk to their friend group without hesitation, but freeze when talking to a group of strangers.
Monophobia is the fear of being alone; It’s more of a catch-all term for several fears. Some people are afraid of being apart from a particular person, while others have the fear of living alone, or being in public by themselves. This phobia may be caused by childhood adversity, or a lifetime of trauma.
Thanatophobia is the fear of death. Those with this phobia fear not only the actual death, but the dying process, as well. It’s natural to fear death as you grow older in age, but thanatophobia is a paralyzing fear of dying. It may be linked to the person worrying about their family after they pass.
Strange Phobias
Chorophobia, or the fear of dancing, includes a feeling of extreme discomfort when the thought of dancing occurs. Many people have this phobia, and it may stem from a type of social anxiety.
Robophobia, or the fear of robots, is the fear of robots, drones, robot-like mechanics, or artificial intelligence. This fear frequently results in panic attacks that can be brought on by viewing, being near, or talking about robots. It’s oftentimes linked to a thought that robots will take over the world.
Aviophobia, or the fear of planes, is also linked to pteromerhanophobia, or the fear of flying. Siderodromophobia, or the fear of trains, stems from claustrophobia, social phobia, and germ phobias. Agoraphobia is linked to the fear of public transportation.
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. It’s seen in millions of people in the world, including Stephen King, a well-known horror author. Paraskevidekatriaphobia, or the fear of Friday the 13th, is also seen in many people. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia, or the fear of the number 666, is seen in millions across the world as well, because of it’s symbolism of the devil or satanic rituals.
Phobias affect about 19 million people in the world that we know of. What’s your phobia?
