Carcinophobia (or the fear of cancer) is an unpleasant and very real phobia afflicting people (or even friends and relatives of people) who have been diagnosed with the deadly disease. The incidence of Carcinophobia has reduced now as compared to that a couple of decades ago, when the knowledge regarding cancer and its treatment was quite limited. That being said, … [Read more...]

Claustrophobia is a type of situational phobia (fear of certain situations) where an individual experiences great fear of small or enclosed spaces. A person suffering from Claustrophobia might be afraid of going in elevators. Many claustrophobic individuals are also known to fear being inside tunnels, caves, mines, or airplanes. They typically report seeing images of … [Read more...]

Myso is the Greek word for germs and Phobos means fear. Thus, Mysophobia is the excessive and often irrational fear of microbes or getting contaminated with germs. Mysophobia is also known as germophobia. People with an excessive fear of germs believe the world to be a ‘filthy place’ and may develop obsessive-compulsive disorders. As a result, they are always washing or … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

Agoraphobia is the irrational fear of having a panic (or anxiety) attack in a place that may be difficult to escape from. Before we learn about the causes, symptoms and treatment of this phobia, let us first see a few myths associated with it and the actual facts. Myths about Agoraphobia Causes of Agoraphobia or the fear of open/crowded spaces There is … [Read more...]

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 … [Read more...]

The fear of crowds or Enochlophobia is known by different names such as Ochlophobia and Demophobia. As the name indicates, this phobia consists of an irrational fear of large crowds and gatherings of people. Enochlophobia is closely related to Agoraphobia (which is the fear of and desire to avoid situations wherein one believes s/he may be subjected to incapacitation, … [Read more...]

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, … [Read more...]

A phobia is an irrational fear about certain objects, features or animals that is out of proportion to the existing circumstances. Thus, Ornithophobia, or the fear of birds makes the sufferers extremely uncomfortable around birds. For some individuals, such fear is only directed towards the birds of prey such as vultures, hawks, and eagles etc, whereas in other cases, even … [Read more...]

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, … [Read more...]

Arachnophobia or the fear of spiders is the oldest and most common phobia in the 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. Causes of Arachnophobia Scientists who have studied this fear of … [Read more...]

Normal amount of doubt regarding success in 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 … [Read more...]

Monophobia is the extreme or abnormal fear of being alone. Many people as well as animals are known to suffer from monophobia and it is not an easy fear to overcome. Monophobia is also known by other names such as Isolophobia, Eremophobia or the related phobia Autophobia. It is characterized by extreme insecurity, anxiety and depression when the individual … [Read more...]

The fear of public speaking or stage fright is also termed as 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 case of extreme Glossophobia however, individuals simply freeze before their audience. They might be unable to speak. They … [Read more...]