Strange Phobias That Exist 2024

A Phobia is an anxiety disorder, defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. Phobias typically result in a rapid onset of fear and are usually present for more than six months.

Some phobias are quite understandable but some can be found to be very strange.

Meaning of Phobia

Grammarians and researchers have defined phobia in different ways using the various terms applicable in their disciplines.

However, there is a common affinity between these definitions and they all contain the keyword “fear”.

Phobia /fəʊbɪə/ noun.

An extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

Examples

➸ She refused the injection because she had a phobia about needles.

➸ He has no real desire to travel and suffers from a phobia of flying.

Phobias are characterized by significant distress and often lead to the person avoiding the source of their fear.

A person who is experiencing a phobia that is interfering with their everyday life should consider undergoing treatment for their phobia, as outcomes for professional care are typically favorable.

Objects of Phobias for Adults

A grown-up  individual may develop irrational fear for any/some of the following entities:

➸ a person or type of person

➸ an animal or insect

➸ an object

➸ a place or type of place

➸ a situation

Objects of Phobias for Children

Naturally, things or entities that can cause fear for children may not apply to adults. However, while objects of phobia for adults are few, objects of phobia for children are many.

Below are examples of objects of phobia for children:

➸ animal

➸ blood

➸ the dark

➸ enclosed spaces

➸ flying

➸ getting sick

➸ having a parent, sibling, or pet get sick or hurt

➸ heights

➸ insects and spiders

➸ needles (“getting shots” at the doctor’s office)

➸ thunder and lightning, etc.

Additional Information

Many kids struggle with a specific fear of being physically separated from their parents or other family members. This is known as separation anxiety disorder (SAD).

Children with phobias might worry about the same subjects as children who don’t have an anxiety disorder.

The difference is that for a phobic child, there is no “on-off” switch for the fear: It’s ever-present and so extreme that it interferes with her ability to relax, concentrate and enjoy activities.

Causes of Phobias

There is no one particular cause of phobias. There are various factors that might contribute to developing a phobia. But there is not often a clear reason why it starts. Examples of Causes of Phobias

1. Past incidents or Traumas

Some situations might have a lasting effect on an individual. For instance, if you experienced a lot of turbulence on a plane at a young age, you might develop a phobia of flying.

Or if you were injured by a dog some years ago, you might develop a phobia of dogs.

2. Learned Responses from Early Life

Your phobia may develop from factors in your childhood environment. For example, you might have parents or guardians who are very worried or anxious.

This may affect how you cope with anxiety in later life.

You might develop the same specific phobia as a parent or older sibling.

If they have a severe reaction to something they fear, this might influence them to feel the same way.

3. Reactions and Responses to Panic or Fear

You might have a strong reaction, or a panic attack, in response to a situation or object. You may find yourself feeling embarrassed by this.

Especially if people around you react strongly to your response,  you could develop even more intense anxiety about the idea of this happening again.

4. Experiencing Long-term Stress

Stress can cause feelings of anxiety and depression. It can reduce your ability to cope in particular situations.

This might make you feel more fearful or anxious about being in those situations again. Over a long period, this could develop into a phobia.

5. Genetic

Research suggests that some people are more vulnerable to developing a phobia than others. You might find it helpful to try to work out the causes for your own phobia.

But you might equally feel that there is no simple explanation.  Some people avoid the object or situation that triggers their phobia.

But this can make your fear worse over time. Being in a scenario involving your phobia can be very difficult though. You may need professional help to enable you to do this.

Symptoms of Phobias

Phobias can limit your daily activities and may cause severe anxiety and depression. Complex phobias, such as agoraphobia and social phobia, are more likely to cause these symptoms.

People with phobias often purposely avoid coming into contact with the thing that causes them fear and anxiety. For example, someone with a fear of spiders (arachnophobia) may not want to touch a spider or even look at a picture of one.

In some cases, a person can develop a phobia where they become fearful of experiencing anxiety itself because it feels so uncomfortable.

You don’t have to be in the situation you’re fearful of to experience the symptoms of panic.

The brain is able to create a reaction to fearsome situations even when you aren’t actually in the situation.

Physical Symptoms

People with phobias often have panic attacks. These can be very frightening and distressing. The symptoms often occur suddenly and without warning.

As well as overwhelming feelings of anxiety, a panic attack can cause physical symptoms, such as:

➸ sweating

➸ trembling

➸ hot flushes or chills

➸ shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

➸ a choking sensation

➸ rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)

➸ pain or tightness in the chest

➸ a sensation of butterflies in the stomach

➸ nausea

➸ headaches and dizziness

➸ feeling faint

➸ numbness or pins and needles

➸ dry mouth

➸ a need to go to the toilet

➸ ringing in your ears

➸ confusion or disorientation

Psychological Symptoms

In severe cases, you may also experience psychological symptoms, such as:

➸ fear of losing control

➸ fear of fainting

➸ feelings of dread

➸ fear of dying

Complex phobias

Complex phobias such as agoraphobia and social phobia can often have a detrimental effect on a person’s everyday life and mental wellbeing.

Agoraphobia often involves a combination of several interlinked phobias. For example, someone with a fear of going outside or leaving their home may also have a fear of being left alone (monophobia) or of places where they feel trapped (claustrophobia).

The symptoms experienced by people with agoraphobia can vary in severity. For example, some people can feel very apprehensive and anxious if they have to leave their home to go to the shops.

Others may feel relatively comfortable traveling short distances from their home.

If you have a social phobia, the thought of being seen in public or at social events can make you feel frightened, anxious, and vulnerable.

Additional Symptoms of Complex Phobia

Intentionally avoiding meeting people in social situations is a sign of social phobia.

In extreme cases of social phobia, as with agoraphobia, some people are too afraid to leave their homes.

Several treatments for phobias are available, including talking therapies and self-help techniques.

However, it can often take some time to overcome a complex phobia.

List of 40 Top Strange Phobias on Earth

More than 100 phobia exists on earth. Naturally, some are less weird, traumatic, and less horrible.

On the other hand, some are so weirdest that they become nightmares to their victims.

In our list of phobias, we present the 40 weirdest phobias on earth alongside detailed explanatory notes. Here is the list:

1. Fear of Spiders Phobia – Arachnophobia

Arachnophobia or the fear of spiders is the oldest and most common phobia in Western culture.

The word Arachnophobia is derived from the Greek word ‘arachne’ meaning spiders.

The response to spiders shown by an arachnophobic individual may seem irrational to others and often to the sufferer himself.

2. Fear of Snakes Phobia – Ophidiophobia

Humans have many fears. The fear of snakes or Ophidiophobia is the second most common phobia in the world.

Nearly 1/3rd of adult humans are believed to have an intense fear of snakes.

Most people with Ophidiophobia can lead normal lives as they do not have to confront the object of their fears under normal circumstances.

However, for people with severe Ophidiophobia, the mere mention, or an image of a snake in books or on TV can lead to an intense fear response, the reactions of which can even include heart attacks and death.

3. Fear of Heights Phobia – Acrophobia

Whether you are an individual suffering from the fear of heights or know someone who does, this brief guide is written for you.

Here we shall study the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for the fear of heights, which is also known as acrophobia. What is Acrophobia or the fear of heights?

Fear of heights or Acrophobia is a debilitating anxiety disorder that affects nearly 1 in every 20 adults.

The word is derived from the Greek word “Acron” meaning heights and “Phobos” meaning fear.

Individuals having the fear of heights generally avoid tall buildings, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, skiing, or even standing on high hills or balconies.

Acrophobia generally affects the recreational activities one can enjoy. However, in some extreme cases, a phobia can affect one’s day-to-day life.

Additional Details on Acrophobia

For example: driving on bridges may trigger panic attacks or dizziness or individuals living or working in large cities might find it difficult to attend meetings on higher floors of a building or may experience dizziness in escalators, glass elevators, railings, and on staircases, etc.

4. Fear of Dogs Phobia – Cynophobia

As far as Zoophobia (fear of animals) is concerned, the fear of dogs or Cynophobia is not as common as the fear of snakes or spiders.

However, it is important to note that people who fear dogs are also highly likely to encounter them in their day-to-day lives.

This makes the phobic avoid all kinds of situations involving dogs. As a result, his/her social, familial, or occupational activities can be negatively impacted.

5. Fear of Thunder and Lightning Phobia – Astraphobia

Some people actually enjoy adverse weather conditions consisting of rain, lightning, or thunder.

Some even take great risks to study hurricanes and storm patterns while others simply love to experience rain firsthand, every now and then.

In other cases though, animals and humans alike can develop an extreme fear of thunder, lightning, or rainstorms.

Such irrational fear of thunder or lightning is known by several names such as Astraphobia, Brontophobia, Tonitrophobia, etc.

6. Fear of Flying Phobia – Aerophobia

Are you going on a holiday or business trip where flying is necessary, but the very thought of it is making you anxious?

Then you might be suffering from Aerophobia.

What is Aerophobia?

Aerophobia, also known as Aviophobia, is the fear of flying either in helicopters, airplanes, or other flying vehicles.

In some patients, Aerophobiamay is present along with other fears or phobias like Claustrophobia (fear of closed and confined spaces) or Acrophobia (fear of heights), etc.

Nearly 25% of air travelers are known to suffer from this phobia.

7. Fear of Holes Phobia – Trypophobia

The fear of holes, or trypophobia, is an irrational and persistent fear of holes, generally not the huge ones but the tiny holes seen within asymmetrical clusters.

It is rather unusual, albeit, a common type of phobia, wherein sufferers report having an adverse reaction to images of holes or objects with holes.

8. Fear of Death Phobia – Thanatophobia

The extreme and often irrational thought or fear of death leads to the phobia known as Thanatophobia.

Very severe cases of thanatophobia often negatively impact the day-to-day functioning of the individual suffering from this condition.

Often s/he refuses to leave the home owing to this fear. The talk or thought of death (or what lies after death) can trigger panic attacks in the patients.

9. Fear of Public Speaking Phobia – Glossophobia

The fear of public speaking or stage fright is also termed Glossophobia. Many people experience some degree of stage anxiety before speaking/performing at events; however, most manage to get over it no matter how unpleasant they may find it.

In the case of extreme Glossophobia, however, individuals simply freeze before their audience. They might be unable to speak.

They might find that their mouth dries up or they start sweating, shaking, or experiencing palpitations.

Needless to say that Glossophobia can lead to highly embarrassing situations. People with a fear of public speaking try to avoid these situations completely.

Business people might experience professional setbacks owing to their inability to make presentations.

More Explanations on Glossophobia

Family members or friends requested to make speeches at weddings, birthdays, etc may refuse them owing to their Glossophobia.

Glossophobia can also come on suddenly inexperienced actors and musicians who might start to find concerts difficult.

Pilots and cabin crew might refrain from making announcements.

10. Fear of Failure Phobia – Atychiphobia or Kakorrhaphiophobia

The normal amount of doubt regarding success in a certain project, relationships, or examinations is usually present in most people.

However, when the fear of failure takes on an extreme form then it is termed as Atychiphobia.

Atychiphobia is also known by several other names like Kakorrahaphobia, or Kakorraphiophobia which also covers the fear of rejection.

Individuals coping with Atychiphobia mainly fear failure because they lack confidence in their abilities.

Some experience extreme fear of failure because of the ridicule one might face owing to the failure.

Likewise, some suffer from Atychiphobia due to the fear of risk-taking. Individuals coping with Atychiphobia often have rigid or unrealistic expectations and/or exceed standards of behavior.

11. Fear of Chickens Phobia – Alektorophobia

Alektorophobia or the fear of chickens is derived from the Greek word ‘Alektor’ which means ‘rooster’ and ‘phobos’ meaning ‘fear’.

As the name indicates, this phobia causes an irrational fear of chickens (or other feathered creatures as well as their eggs) in the sufferer.

It is not only seeing the chickens in person that causes a panic attack in the individual; sometimes, merely the images or photographs of chickens are enough to trigger such reactions.

13. Fear of Intimacy Phobia – Aphenphosmphobia

The fear of intimacy phobia is known by several other names such as Aphenphosmphobia (which is the fear of being touched) as well as Philophobia (which is the fear of love).

As the name indicates, the person suffering from the fear of intimacy phobia dreads intimacy (shared between lovers or other close relationships with parents, siblings, and friends).

Since most close relationships are based on deep emotional bonds, the person suffering from this fear is unable to share a meaningful association with any person.

13. Fear of People Phobia – Anthropophobia

Anthropophobia is the ‘extreme, irrational and unwarranted fear of people or society. It is a disorder that is often misunderstood with other social phobias.

The main difference between them is that: in Anthropophobia, the individual fears people in most or all situations, rather than, for example, only fearing people during public speaking or when eating before others, as is the case with social phobias.

Thus, the difference between social phobia and the extreme fear of people is subtle and hence diagnosis is often difficult.

14. Fear of Water Phobia – Aquaphobia

Before we study Aquaphobia in-depth, it is essential to clear the misconception between the terms Hydrophobia and Aquaphobia.

Both these conditions are not the same: Hydrophobia is the term used to represent the fear of water developed in the later stage of Rabies.

Aquaphobia, on the other hand, is a social phobia that is defined as the persistent, unwarranted, and irrational fear of water.

Many people have an extreme fear of water. They conjure up images of dying in water, drowning, gasping for breath, or encountering eerie, unseen things such as snakes or sharks in the water.

Often, those suffering from Aquaphobia are nonswimmers. Some phobics not only fear large water bodies, lakes, ponds, or rivers, many even fear running water or water being poured onto their heads.

Furthermore

The fear of drowning is a rational and logical fear experienced by many who cannot swim.

Aquaphobic individuals, however, experience a great deal of anxiety around all kinds of water bodies ranging from large oceans to small bathtubs

Some cannot even look at a photograph of the ocean without experiencing chills.

Logically, few are aware that they will not ‘drown’ in a bathtub; but they are unable to control thoughts of death that come up in their minds.

15. Fear of Long Words Phobia – Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Fears and phobias are very real and the human mind is capable of developing them towards virtually anything or any situation.

The fear of long words phobia or Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is often considered a jocular or fictional phobia; however, that is not the case and long words phobia is actually very real and does exist.

People suffering from Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia tend to experience a great deal of anxiety when faced with long words.

It is indeed ironic that the scientific name given to this phobia is such a long one.

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can actually be broken down into several parts: Hippo- is ‘horse’ in Greek and potam-os is a river.

Thus the first part of the word refers to a water horse also otherwise known as Hippopotamus.

The Oxford Dictionary uses the word: Hippopotamine to refer to “something very large”.

Concluding Notes on Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

The word “monstr” is the Latin origin of a ‘monstrous being’ or something that is huge or terrifying and sesquipedalian is derived from Latin sesquipedalian meaning ‘measuring a foot and a half long. Phobos stands for morbid fear.

16. Fear of the Unknown Phobia – Xenophobia

Xenophobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Xenos’ meaning “foreigner or stranger” and Phobos which means ‘morbid fear’.

Xenophobia is the irrational sensation of fear experienced about a person or a group of persons as well as situations that are perceived as strange or foreign. It is the fear of anything that is beyond one’s comfort zone.

The fear of the unknown comes in many guises. A person may not be afraid of swimming pools but might experience great fear when he sees a dark lake.

The fact that s/he cannot see the bottom of the lake triggers a fear of the unknown.

Such thoughts can overwhelm the person to an extent that one’s daily life and activities are hindered by it.

Xenophobia or the fear of foreigners can sometimes become collective leading to racism.

More on Xenophobia

Xenophobia or the fear of foreigners can sometimes become collective leading to racism or the rejection of “strangers”.

However, the intense and irrational fear of foreigners can also be based on a fearful experience with a stranger.

Today, xenophobic or racial violence is not uncommon and is making headlines at an alarming rate on accounts of mass immigration and globalization.

18. Fear of Driving Phobia – Vehophobia

Vehophobia or the fear of driving can impact one’s daily life especially since most of us are dependent on this activity to get by.

It can affect one to an extent that s/he refuses to go shopping, visit a doctor or even drive to work.

Individuals with an extreme fear of driving prefer public transport or request friends or family members to drive them each time.

This is fine, so long as these options are available at one’s disposal. However, this might not be the case always affecting the individual’s education, job, and other activities negatively.

There are varying degrees of Vehophobia. Some individuals are only anxious about driving on highways or certain dreaded routes.

Some are unable to pass their driving tests or acquire a license. A few might be having valid driving licenses but they pose a danger to themselves as well as other drivers.

Additional Information

They can have a panic attack while driving and freeze up to an extent that they are unable to apply brakes or change gears etc.

In extreme cases, a person may even be terrified of being a passenger in the vehicle.

18. Fear of Darkness Phobia – Nyctophobia

Many kids and adults are known to suffer from the fear of darkness or night weirdest phobia.

Several non-clinical terminologies are used for describing this phobia, namely: Nyctophobia, Scotophobia, Lygophobia as well as Achluophobia.

The word Nyctophobia is derived from Greek ‘Nyctus ‘meaning night or darkness and Phobos which means deep fear or dread.

It is common for children to be irrationally fearful of the dark; their brain perceives frightful images of ‘what would happen’ once the lights are turned off.

However, it is also not uncommon to see adults suffering from Achluophobia. Such a condition can greatly impact the sufferer’s day-to-day life mainly because the individual tends to be depressed, anxious, or high-strung all the time.

Sufferers often refuse to step outside after dark or sleep alone. The family and loved ones can also suffer owing to one’s Nyctophobia.

19. Fear of Rain Phobia – Ombrophobia

Ombrophobia or Pluviophobia is the fear of rain- a fairly common anxiety disorder seen in kids and adults alike.

The term Ombrophobia originates from Greek ‘Ombros’ meaning “storm of rain” and Phobos meaning “fear or aversion”.

The term Ombrophobia has even been used to describe certain species of plants called Ombrophobes and ombrophiles which have their root systems developed in a way that enables them to take up water directly from the atmospheric precipitation.

Typically, younger children are known to suffer more from Ombrophobia than adults.

Some might fear very heavy rain that accompanies storm-like conditions (heavy winds, thunder, and lightning), still, others might be afraid of even a little light rain or drizzle.

Thus; the fear of rain might be accompanied by several different phobias like the fear of lightning and thunder (Astraphobia), fear of fog (Homichlophobia), or the fear of flooding (Antlophobia) and fear of drowning (Aquaphobia).

20. Fear of Numbers Phobia – Arithmophobia or Numerophobia

Arithmophobia or Numerophobia is the exaggerated, constant, and often irrational fear of numbers.

The words Arithmophobia and Numerophobia both have Latin/Greek origins where the root word stands for numbers, and Phobos is Greek for “deep aversion or fear”.

Many people from all over the world fear numbers. Some might specifically fear numbers such as 13 (Triskaidekaphobia), 666 (Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia), or 8 (Octophobia) which are typically associated with Bad Luck, evil spirits, etc.

Such phobias usually have cultural or religious roots that are often aggravated by media and folklore.

However, an Arithmophobic (or Numerophobic) individual might fear all kinds of numbers, especially complex mathematical computations.

Further details on Arithmophobia or Numerophobia

Just the thought of solving a difficult arithmetic equation in school or doing calculations in day-to-day life could cause intense panic in the sufferer.

Needles to say, the fear of numbers can place many restrictions on the phobic’s life and may even affect his standard of living.

S/he often feels embarrassed to admit the problem causing one to become socially withdrawn.

21. Fear of Light Phobia – Photophobia

Photophobia is an irrational and persistent fear of light. The word originates from Greek ‘phos’ meaning light and ‘Phobos’ who is the Greek God of fear.

In this phobia, the sufferer shows an abnormal sensitivity to light. While many people suffer from headaches or experience pain or discomfort to their eyes owing to light, Photophobia is different as the sufferer cannot stand light at all.

 A related phobia is Photoaugiaphobia where the person severely fears bright, glaring lights.

Many of these individuals cannot withstand being photographed or believe that some lights are from alien sources or evil spirits.

Naturally, their phobia can greatly affect their peace of mind and day-to-day functioning.

22. Fear of Work Phobia – Ergophobia

Ergophobia is the deep and persistent fear of work. The other names for this weirdest phobia are Ergasiophobia, or ‘work aversion’.

Both the terms are derived from Greek ergon meaning work and Phobos which comes from the Greek God of fear. Ergophobia is a part of social anxiety disorder.

The individuals suffering from it are afraid to seek employment from fear of being yelled at by superiors, or, in general, due to performance or social anxiety.

Ergophobia is thus a complex phobia as it may be part of many different weirdest phobias or mental issues.

For example, the sufferer might be afraid of performing manual labor due to the fear of getting injured.

However, many Ergophobic individuals are also afraid of non-manual labor. In general, most fears of work phobics are afraid of socializing with others.

More on Ergophobia

Naturally, the phobia can be deeply debilitating as the phobic is always dependent on others for food and money and might have strained relations with loved ones.

Sometimes s/he is even unable to seek help for the condition owing to limited financial resources.

23. Fear of the Future and Time Phobia – Chronophobia

Perhaps the famous lines by E. M Cioran in his 1964 book ‘The Fall into Time” perfectly summarize all that a Chronophobic individual goes through.

Chronophobia is defined as the persistent and often irrational fear of the future or the fear of passing time.

Since time can be considered as a “specific object”, Chronophobia falls under the category of specific phobias.

The word Chronophobia is derived from Greek ‘chronos’ meaning time and Phobos meaning fear.

The question of time has always baffled mankind: many writers, philosophers, scientists, and social critics have tried to research its elusive nature.

In the case of persistent Chronophobia, the sufferer develops an extreme fear of passing time in that; s/he suddenly feels that the present moment is going to be in the past soon and this thought can terrify him/her.

Additional Information Chronophobia

The phobic obsesses over time; s/he is extremely anxious so much so that it affects his/her day-to-day functioning.

The phobia mainly affects prison inmates, elderly people, or individuals who may already be suffering from various anxiety disorders

24. Fear of School Phobia – Didaskaleinophobia

Didaskaleinophobia is the fear of school or fear of going to school. Nearly 2 to 5% of school-going children are known to be inflicted with such phobia.

The word Didaskaleinophobia is derived from Greek Didasko meaning to teach and Phobos meaning aversion or fear.

Another common term for the fear of school is Scholionophobia which is derived from Latin scious for ‘knowing’.

Kids are often known to “play truant” or skip school. However, the kids who do so aren’t always afraid of school- anger or boredom are the more common reasons behind their behavior.

Mark Twain’s famous character Tom Sawyer also often played hooky from school but he was not suffering from the fear of school phobia.

Rather, he simply had ‘better things to do like finding adventures in the great outdoors.

Further Details on Didaskaleinophobia

In the case of Didaskaleinophobes, the mere thought of going to school can trigger a full-blown panic attack.

Most psychologists believe that such phobia is typically more common in preschool-aged children of 4-6 years.

This is often due to the fact that they are leaving the safety of their homes for the first time.

Often, diagnosis of this weirdest phobia is difficult as the young child is unable to express his fears accurately.

25. Fear of Loud Noises Phobia – Phonophobia or Ligyrophobia

The fear of loud noise weirdest phobia is known by several different names: Ligyrophobia, acousticophobia, sonophobia, or phonophobia.

All these different terms have their roots in Greek for “loud noise, sound or alarm”.

No matter how prepared one is: the sudden burst of an alarm can leave one shocked and panic-stricken.

Ligyrophobia is a fairly common weirdest phobia, affecting many individuals, young and old, around the world.

Humans usually set up alarms to wake themselves up. We also often install security alarms and sleep soundly in the knowledge that we will be notified of intruders or burglars thanks to those alarms.

Concluding details on Phonophobia or Ligyrophobia

However, when the alarm does go off, we tend to get panic-stricken and disoriented.

In normal individuals, this reaction usually only lasts for just a few seconds and most of us wake up quickly enough to dial the emergency number.

In the case of phonophobia though, the individual simply cannot take any action owing to the loud noise blaring around him.

The clinical term for the fear of loud noises weirdest phobia is Ligyrophobia- where Ligyro means ‘sharp’ in Greek. Let us study the causes, symptoms, and treatment for this phobia in detail.

26. Fear of Hair Phobia – Chaetophobia

Chaetophobia is a rare weirdest phobia that causes an irrational, abnormal, and persistent fear of hair.

The word is derived from Greek khanate which means ‘loose flowing hair’ and Phobos meaning aversion or fear.

Other names used for phobia include Trichopathophobia where tricho is Greek for hair and patho for disease.

Thus Trichopathophobia means extreme “fear of hair disease” which causes a person to be afraid of going bald or developing scalp or hair issues.

27. Fear of Getting Old Phobia – Gerascophobia

The word Gerascophobia is derived from Greek ‘tha geraso’ which is a phrase that means ‘I am getting old’ and Phobos means to dread or deep fear.

To an extent, most of us are afraid of growing old. No one wants to lose their youthfulness, develop wrinkles and face other health problems that are inevitable with age.

Right since the dawn of mankind, humans have been searching for the mythical “fountain of youth”.

The tales and exploits of Spanish and American explorers in search of the waters of this fountain are quite well known.

In extreme cases of Gerascophobia, the sufferer experiences persistent, irrational, and constant fear of getting old.

Additional Information Gerascophobia

This fear can lead to several consequences including interference with social and personal life, lost job opportunities, and almost every other daily aspect.

Often, the phobic realizes that the fear is unwarranted but s/he is completely powerless over it.

28. Fear of Fat People Phobia – Cacomorphobia

The word Cacomorphobia – the fear of fat or obese people is derived from Greek caco meaning ugly, morpho meaning shape, and Phobos meaning fear or aversion.

Thus, Cacomorphobia stands for the irrational fear of fat people.

29. Fear of Beards Phobia – Pogonophobia

Pogonophobia is the irrational, persistent, and often unwarranted fear of beards. The word is derived from Greek pogon (beard) and Phobos (fear).

Mothers often warn their daughters to “never trust a man with a beard or facial hair unless he is Santa Claus”.

In the United States, there has not been a president with a beard since the 1800s.

30. Fear of Talking on the Phone Phobia – Telephonophobia

It may sound weird, but there are many people around the world who suffer from an intense fear of talking on the phone.

Telephonophobia is the self-explanatory name given to such severe anxiety.

Most ‘Telephonophobes’ prefer sending a text message or emailing their contacts, since, even the mere thought of ordering a pizza on the phone is enough to cause them to have a full-blown panic attack.

Telephonophobia could be a part of general social phobia though some people are known to suffer from the specific fear of talking on the phone.

The telephone has come a long way since Alexander Graham Bell first invented it.

Today, most of us cannot ‘live’ without our mobile or Smartphones.

However, Telephonophobic individuals greatly dislike these devices and most prefer not to buy/use one at all.

31. Fear of Pregnancy Phobia – Tokophobia

Tokophobia is the fear of pregnancy or childbirth and the word is derived from Greek tokos meaning childbirth and Phobos which is intense fear or dread of a situation/object.

Other names for this fear are Tocophobia, Enfantaphobia, Maieusiophobia, or Parturiphobia.

The British Journal of Psychiatry first documented this phobia only a decade ago.

Prior to this, there was very little knowledge about Tokophobia and it received very little attention than it deserved.

Actor Helen Mirren confessed to being a Tokophobe after having watched a film about childbirth that so disgusted her, she was put off having children and “never wanting to have anything to do with childbirth”.

32. Fear of Mirrors Phobia – Catoptrophobia or Spectrophobia

Fear of mirrors is known by several names: Catoptrophobia, spectrophobia, and Eisoptrophobia.

The word Catoptrophobia originates from Greek Catropto or katoptron (mirrors) and Phobos (fear).

Spectrophobia is derived from the Latin word spectrum (ghosts). Likewise, Eisotrophobia originates from Greek ‘eis’ (into) and optikos (vision).

Modern society is highly obsessed with self-image: most people, women especially, are quite afraid of looking into mirrors for fear of not meeting the set standards of beauty.

They fear that, like in the famous fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the mirror would tell them they are no longer beautiful.

That apart; most Catoptrophobic individuals are afraid of mirrors owing to their connection with the supernatural.

33. Fear of Horses Phobia – Equinophobia

Equinophobia is an extreme fear of horses. The word is derived from the Latin word ‘equus’ which means horses and Phobos which is ‘deep fear or dread.

Nearly 8% of people around the world are known to suffer from various animal phobias (Zoophobias).

Sigmund Freud has described Equinophobia in detail in his landmark paper on “Little Hans” (Analysis of the weirdest Phobia in a Five-year-old Boy) based on young equinophobe Herbert Graf.

It tells the story of a young boy who developed a phobia after watching a carthorse pulling a heavy load collapse in the street.

34. Fear of Food Phobia – Cibophobia

Cibophobia is related to psychopathology, but perhaps none that are as debilitating or have serious health implications as Cibophobia, the excessive and persistent fear of food.

Food phobia is also called “food aversion or choking phobia”. The word Cibophobia or Sitophobia is derived from Greek Sitos which means bread and Phobos which means fear.

The fear of food and the fear of eating in public are often used mistaken for each other.

Note that the latter is a social anxiety disorder where the individual refuses to eat or drink in front of others for fear of embarrassing him/herself.

On the other hand, Cibophobia is persistent and the patients, typically teenagers and young children, are unable to verbalize precisely what they fear.

35. Fear of Little People Phobia – Achondroplasiaphobia

Achondroplasiaphobia is the fear of little people or midgets, although this term is not used anymore, as it is considered offensive to people with dwarfism.

It is also called Nanosophobia or Lollypopguildophobia.

The word Achondroplasiaphobia is derived from the medical term ‘Achondroplasia’ which is a skeletal disorder of the cartilage that forms during the fetal stage. This condition leads to dwarfism.

The fear of little people can be debilitating as a person might refuse to go to circuses, casinos, fairs or malls where little people are thought to be present, at least in the phobic’s mind.

In one of the more extreme cases, a pregnant woman encountered a frightening dwarf during her pregnancy which led her to believe that her unborn child would be a dwarf too.

This led her to have repeated nightmares about it and an eventual miscarriage. Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan is believed to suffer from Achondroplasiaphobia.

36. Fear of Fire Phobia – Pyrophobia

Pyrophobia is quite a common phobia and many people around the globe are known to be deeply afraid of fire.

The word Pyrophobia originates from Greek ‘pur/pyr’ meaning fire and ‘Phobos meaning fear or deep dread.

To an extent, the fear of fire is healthy, evolutionary, and normal. However, in the case of a phobic, the fear turns debilitating, often affecting his/her daily life wherein one is unable to withstand even small or controlled fires.

To a Pyrophobic individual, the mere smell of smoke or something burning can trigger an intense anxiety attack.

This causes him/her to constantly check the stove/gas leading to obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.

37. Fear of Ducks Phobia – Anatidaephobia

There are many kinds of seemingly irrational fears and phobias prevalent in the world. What might be a laughing matter to people, is not so to a phobic.

Anatidaephobia is one such phobia. A person suffering from this condition feels that somewhere in the world, a duck or a goose is watching him/her (not attacking or touching, simply watching the individual).

The word Anatidaephobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Anatidae’ which means ducks, geese, or other waterfowls, and Phobos is Greek for dread/fear.

The fear of ducks phobia can be a debilitating anxiety condition, wherein, no matter what one is doing or where s/he is in the world, they feel the constant presence of a duck or goose

38. Phobia Fear of Women Phobia – Gynophobia

Gynophobia is the fear or hatred (or both) of women. Usually, men suffer from this phobia, which is also known by names like Gynephobia or Feminophobia.

Such individuals fear women or having sexual intercourse with them. They might have hatred or ill will towards their own sisters or mothers or, in general, all women around them.

Some gynophobia tends to put off marriage on account of such fear. A related phobia is Venustaphobia or caligynephobia which is the fear of beautiful women.

39. Fear of Sleep Phobia – Somniphobia or Hypnophobia

Most of us like to sleep and look at it as a basic necessity to survive just like eating, drinking, and breathing.

Many tend to get cranky or irritable due to a lack of sleep. However, there are some people in the world who also suffer from anxiety disorders related to sleep, prominent among which is a condition called Somniphobia.

The word Somniphobia is derived from Latin Somnus meaning sleep and Phobos meaning fear. Thus, Somniphobia is the fear of sleeping or falling asleep.

It is also called ‘Hypnophobia’, the fear of being hypnotized, a condition where the person is literally made to go in a sleep-like state.

The fear of sleep is related to fear of the unknown. Often the sufferer is terrified of what might happen if s/he falls asleep.

Additional Information

One fears being ‘out of control’.  Many are afraid of having nightmares or fear being unable to ‘hear’ their loved ones call out to them.

40. Fear of Love Phobia – Philophobia

The fear of love (or falling in love) phobia is known as Philophobia is one of the weirdest phobias on earth. The word originates from Greek “filos” which means ‘loving or beloved’.

Individuals who suffer from this top weirdest phobia fear romantic love or forming emotional attachments of any sort.

As far as unusual phobias are concerned; Philophobia certainly ranks high on the list.

Often this phobia is known to have cultural or religious roots, where the person may have been committed to an arranged marriage and hence fears falling in love.

This phobia is more common in women than in men. The condition can greatly affect one’s life to an extent that it becomes difficult to commit or form healthy relationships. Such people tend to live their lives in solitude.

It is believed that England’s Queen Elizabeth might have been a philophobic. She loved and allowed several suitors to court her, but things never came to marriage or commitment.

Additional Information

Historians now believe that her condition might have arisen owing to the fact that she had seen her mother Anne Boleyn as well as her cousin executed for love.

The fact that her own father was responsible for the execution might have made her believe that all romantic relationships have a tragic ending.

SEE ALSO:

Women’s Love Language: Keeping Her After Winning

Conquering the Fear of Driving (Driving Phobia): 8 Helpful Tips

7 Strategies for Conquering Fear During an Interview

Conquering Thanatophobia: 10 Tips to Overcome the Fear of Death