Strangest Phobias You Probably Never Knew Existed
1 Chorophobia – Fear Of Dancing
According to Psych Times, Chorophobia is the irrational fear of dancing. A person with this phobia may feel anxiety at the mere thought of dancing. Extreme cases may bring on a full-blown panic attack at the site of a dance floor. They may experience increased heart rate, sweating, and rapid breathing.
Genetics can cause Chorophobia, especially if there’s a family history of phobias or mental illness. A traumatic event that involves dancing may also cause a person to suffer from this disorder. There are various forms of treatment to help someone overcome Chorophobia, ranging from Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Hypnotherapy.
2 Geliophobia – Fear Of Laughter
It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine, but not for people who struggle with Geliophobia. A person with this phobia has an irrational fear of laughter. Just the thought of laughter will cause anxiety, let alone actually laughing. They avoid laughter at all costs. Just anticipating laughter can make a funny situation uncomfortable for a Geliophobiac.
They may avoid going to the movies, concerts, or parties where people may be having a happy time. Symptoms can be so intense that they experience rapid heart rate, chills, raised blood pressure, etc. Exposure therapy is one option for treatment.
3 Arachibutyrophobia – Fear Of Peanut Butter Sticking To The Roof Of Your Mouth
Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. This phenomenon causes a person to be extremely afraid of finding themselves in a sticky situation. The severity of the phobia can vary from person to person.
Someone may be able to withstand a small amount of peanut butter while other people suffering from this condition may have so much anxiety that they avoid eating sticky items altogether. Arachibutyrophobia often stems from a fear of all sticky things or a fear of choking. Oftentimes, a peanut allergy can lead to this phobia.
4 Geniophobia – Fear Of Chins
Someone suffering from Geniophobia has an irrational fear of chins. Even thinking about a chin can cause anxiety, let alone seeing an actual chin. The anxiety may become so intense that it triggers a full-blown panic attack. They may experience muscle tension, trembling, and excessive sweating, among other symptoms.
This phobia can be caused by a painful event surrounding a chin, environmental factors, or genetics can also play a role. For example, a history of mental disorders in the family can lead to Geniophobia. According to Psych Times, treatments include Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or Exposure Therapy.
5 Chaetophobia – Fear of Hair
Chaetophobia is a fear of hair. A person suffering from this phobia may have a fear of their own hair, animal hair, or other people’s hair. Even combing their hair can cause severe anxiety. They find it difficult to have anyone touch their hair and may avoid getting a haircut.
A traumatic event involving hair can trigger Chaetophobia. For example, if someone loses a large amount of hair or gets a bad haircut. Oftentimes, a person may believe that hair is dirty and will refuse to touch it. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Brain Working Recursive Therapy can help a person overcome this phenomenon.
6 Ergophobia – Fear Of Work
People with Ergophobia have a fear of work. They can suffer from extreme anxiety surrounding a work environment or their place of work. Others may be afraid of looking for a job, while some may be fearful of manual labor. The fear can be so severe that it can induce a panic attack and affect a person’s ability to function.
The phenomenon can be caused by a traumatic event that took place at work. Occupational burnout can be another factor. An abusive boss or being overworked can cause Ergophobia as well. Exposure Therapy is the first line of treatment.
7 Allodoxaphobia – Fear Of Other People’s Opinions
Allodoxaphobia is the irrational fear of opinions. A person afflicted with this disorder may have trouble coping with everyday life, due to paranoia or, in some cases, they may actually be judged by others. The most extreme cases can cause a full-blown panic attack.
The root of this phobia is often caused by a person’s own insecurities, and someone who suffers from Allodoxaphobia can be hard on themselves. They may avoid people at all costs to shield themselves from other people’s opinions. They often self-isolate, which only makes their condition worse. Exposure Treatment often helps people overcome social anxieties.
8 Phobophobia – Fear Of Fear
Phobophobia is a fear of phobias. This condition is often cyclical, which can cause an escalation of a person’s fears. Many people who suffer from this already have one or more existing phobias, while others sometimes become afraid they might develop one in the future.
According to Very Well Mind, “The most common symptom of any phobia is anticipatory anxiety, which causes increasing fear in the time leading up to a planned confrontation with the object of fear.” It is one of few self-fulfilled fears because the anxiety of developing a phobia can trigger a phobic reaction.
9 Erythrophobia – Fear Of Blushing
Erythrophobia is an irrational fear of blushing. The thought of blushing can cause severe anxiety from someone who suffers from this disorder. Fear can cause redness to their skin, despite their best efforts, making their anxiety worse. A person afflicted with this phobia may feel restless, have trouble concentrating, or even have a full-blown panic attack.
Public speaking can be a nightmare and being the center of attention can trigger their fears. It can be caused by trauma or a family predisposition. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy are the top options to help a patient overcome Erythrophobia.
10 Deipnophobia – Fear Of Dining With Others
A person with Deipnophobia has a fear of dining with others. The root cause is often an underlying social phobia. Dinner parties can cause severe anxiety as the sufferer worries about carrying out a conversation with others during the meal. A traumatic event can trigger Deipnophobia.
Another cause may be a fear of being criticised about food choices or poor table manners. A person suffering from this disorder can feel awkward just thinking about joining others for a meal and often prefers to eat alone. Pharmacotherapy can help them overcome this disorder by making the anxiety more manageable.
11 Kathisophobia – Fear Of Sitting Down
Most people have a favorite chair they like to lounge in at home. People with Kathisophobia actually dread sitting down. This condition can cause a person to have severe anxiety at the mere thought of taking a seat, to the point that it disrupts their daily life.
Like many phobias, the root cause of Kathisophobia can be attributed to a traumatic event that occurred near a chair or when someone was sitting. The fear can be so intense that it can trigger a panic attack. Symptoms include rapid heart rate, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one treatment option.
12 Koumpounophobia – Fear Of Buttons
Koumpounophobia is a rare phobia where a person has an irrational fear of buttons. The level of fear varies for individuals, but all who suffer with this phenomenon panic at the sight of buttons. They may be afraid of the texture or believe that they are dirty. Sometimes just thinking about buttons can be a terrifying thought and trigger a severe anxiety attack.
They might experience shortness of breath or feeling faint. Many people who suffer from this phenomenon had a traumatic experience, such as choking on a button as a child. Hypnotherapy is a great option to help someone overcome Koumpounophobia.
13 Chromophobia – Fear Of Colors
Chromophobia is the fear of colors. A person may be afraid of all colors or have a phobia of a specific color. For example, a person who is afraid of the blue has Cyanophobia while a person who’s afraid of yellow suffers from Xanthophobia. The symptoms range from mild anxiety to a full-blown panic attack.
A person may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from an event associated with a specific color and forever associate the hue with the trauma. Treatment options include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Hypnosis, and Exposure Therapy. Through slow exposure to the color, a person can overcome their fear.
14 Ephebiphobia – Fear Of Teenagers
Ephebiphobia is the irrational fear of teenagers. A person can be afraid to spend time with teenagers or experience anxiety at the thought of young adults. The anxiety can be so intense that they avoid going places where teenagers may be present. Someone with this phobia often isolates themselves from public spaces.
The symptoms range from mild mental discomfort to a severe panic attack. They may suffer from an increased heart rate and rapid breathing. Someone with Ephebiphobia may have experienced trauma associated with teenagers. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Yoga can help a person overcome their fear of adolescents.
15 Octophobia – Fear of The Figure 8
Octophobia is the irrational fear of the number 8. A person who is afraid of more than one number suffers from Arithmophobia. Someone with Octophobia experiences anxiety when they see or even think about the number 8. They often go to great lengths to avoid seeing the number or sometimes refuse to own 8 of the same item.
They may feel mild emotional discomfort or have extreme reactions like a heightened blood pressure or trembling. A person suffering with this condition may turn to Exposure Therapy or mindfulness practices for treatment, as well as other intervention options.
16 Alektorophobia – Fear Of Chickens
Alektorophobia is the intense fear of chickens. This phenomenon causes a person to have a physical or psychological reaction at the mere thought of a chicken or actually being near a chicken. The fear can be so great that it can trigger a panic attack, where they may feel muscle tightness and sweating.
A frightening experience involving a chicken can cause someone to develop this condition as well as a family history of Alektorophobia. Living in a rural area where you may see more chickens increases the odds of a person getting this phobia. Medication is one option to help ease anxiety.
17 Nomophobia – Fear Of Being Without A Smartphone
These days, it seems that more and more people are addicted to their cell phone. This next condition takes that addiction to a whole new level. Nomophobia is the fear of being without your mobile device. A person may feel anxious when they don’t have their phone, have a dead battery, or have no service.
They may act irritated or feel panic if they can’t locate their phone. Symptoms can be so severe that it triggers a panic attack. They go to extreme measures to ensure their phone is nearby and feel that they can’t put it down.
18 Globophobia – Fear Of Balloons
Globophobia is the fear of balloons. Someone suffering from this phenomenon may be afraid of being near balloons or even thinking about them. They might have an aversion to the shape or the noises they make. Some people are afraid of witnessing a balloon pop and will avoid birthday parties or other celebrations where balloons may be present.
Oftentimes, they experienced a scary event that involved balloons and developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A person can have a severe panic attack and experience a rapid heart rate, dry mouth, and other symptoms associated with severe anxiety.
19 Chloephobia – Fear Of Newspapers
Chloephobia is the fear of printed newspapers. Someone with this phobia may be afraid of the feel of the paper, the smell of the print, or the words displayed on the page. They will avoid seeing or touching newspapers. Even thinking of them can cause a person to have anxiety.
The symptoms range from mild emotional discomfort to an intense physical reaction. A traumatic event involving a newspaper, such as a terrifying headline or an injury involving the paper, can trigger Chloephobia. A person may even be afraid of getting a paper cut. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the first line of defense.
20 Ranidaphobia – Fear Of Frogs
Ranidaphobia is an anxiety disorder where a person has a fear of frogs or toads. They avoid situations where they may be exposed to a frog, have an aversion to seeing a frog, and would probably never touch a frog. The severity of symptoms changes from person to person.
Someone may experience a panic attack from seeing a video of a toad or feel mild discomfort during a conversation about a frog. Children often freeze at the sight of a toad or cling to a parent. Exposure Therapy and Medications are two options for treatment.
