Thanatophobia is a term for an intense fear associated with death or dying. Thinking about mortality is a normal human experience; the concern is distress or avoidance that persistently limits daily life. A person may fear their own death, a loved one’s death, the dying process or uncertainty about what follows. Related concerns can include: On this pageCauses of the … [Read more...]
Phobia Guides and Fear Topics
Explore FEAROF articles about particular fears, phobia names, and related terms. Topics include animals, travel, medical situations, social experiences, and other sources of distress.
Some names are informal or have meanings outside a clinical diagnosis. For a starting point, use the alphabetical directory, read how fear and phobias differ, or explore treatment and support.
Fear of Holes Phobia – Trypophobia
Trypophobia is a term used for a distressing reaction to clusters of small holes or similar patterns. People may describe disgust, visual discomfort, fear, or a mixture of these responses. The term alone does not establish a clinical diagnosis. This page includes an image of a clustered pattern; you do not need to study it or test your reaction to decide whether to ask for … [Read more...]
Fear of Flying Phobia – Aerophobia
If the thought of a flight makes you anxious, start by identifying the difficult part: the airport, being enclosed, a sensation during flight, loss of control, or a feared event. Nervousness does not automatically mean you have a phobia, but persistent fear that restricts work, relationships, or chosen travel may benefit from support. On this pageWhat is … [Read more...]
Fear of Heights Phobia – Acrophobia
Acrophobia is a strong fear of heights. This guide looks at possible experiences, assessment, and support while keeping real fall risk in view. Caution at an unprotected edge is sensible; help may be useful when fear restricts ordinary activities in otherwise suitable settings. On this pageWhat is Acrophobia or the fear of heights?What are the symptoms of … [Read more...]