Phobia Guides and Fear Topics

Epiplaphobia, sometimes called furniturephobia, means an intense fear of furniture. You might react to a particular style, size, material or association, rather than every chair and table. The name is uncommon and describes a fear; it is not a separate standard diagnosis. Actor Billy Bob Thornton has discussed discomfort around certain ornate antique furnishings in … [Read more...]

Tonsurephobia is a name used for an intense fear of getting a haircut. The experience may involve fear of injury, loss of control, an unwanted change in appearance or discomfort with the sounds and sensations of hair care. The label describes the concern; it does not identify a separate diagnosis or one universal cause. Children and adults can find haircuts distressing. … [Read more...]

Papyrophobia is a term used for an intense fear of paper. A person may fear touching it, being cut by an edge, handling something thought to be contaminated or dealing with a particular paper object. It is an uncommon descriptive label rather than a separate standard diagnosis. The trigger may be a clean sheet, crumpled paper, wallpaper, wrapping paper or the sound and … [Read more...]

Entamaphobia is a term used for an intense fear involving doors. The fear might concern an open doorway, a closed or locked door, a revolving door or the act of passing through one. It is not a separate standard diagnosis, so describing the situation and feared outcome is more useful than relying on the label alone. Door-related anxiety may overlap with other concerns, … [Read more...]

Anthophobia is a term used for an intense fear of flowers. A person may react to a particular flower, its appearance, scent or texture, or to a feared consequence such as a sting or allergic reaction. The name describes the concern rather than establishing a diagnosis on its own. Fear of flowers is not necessarily a fear of all nature. Someone may enjoy trees or outdoor … [Read more...]

Scriptophobia and graphophobia are names used for intense fear related to writing. Scriptophobia often refers to writing while others are watching; graphophobia may be used more broadly for writing or handwriting. These are descriptive labels, not separate standard diagnoses. The relevant concern may be judgement, mistakes, privacy, pain or the physical act of … [Read more...]

Lachanophobia is a name used for intense fear of vegetables. Disliking a taste or preferring particular foods is not, by itself, a phobia. The concern is unwanted fear, distress or avoidance that interferes with eating, shopping, cooking or social life. A person does not have to experience a panic attack for the difficulty to deserve attention. Some people avoid … [Read more...]

Tachophobia is a name used for an intense fear of speed. It may involve travelling in cars, buses, trains or aircraft, cycling, or anticipating a fast ride. The label describes a concern rather than a separate standard diagnosis. Worry about a busy life or eating quickly may be different problems and should not automatically be grouped under the same phobia. Speed can … [Read more...]

Chrometophobia, also called chrematophobia, is a name used for intense fear involving money. It may concern handling cash, making payments, financial responsibility or the meaning attached to wealth. The label is descriptive, not a separate standard diagnosis. Money-related anxiety can make opening bills, shopping, checking an account or talking about finances … [Read more...]

Nosophobia is a term used for fear of illness or disease. Hypochondriasis is an older term, and health anxiety is a common modern description of persistent worry about being ill or becoming ill. These words overlap in everyday use but are not interchangeable diagnoses. A clinician assesses the particular symptoms and circumstances. Health concerns become a problem when … [Read more...]

Homophobia refers to prejudice, hostility, or negative attitudes toward gay people or people perceived to be gay. Although the word ends in “phobia,” its meaning differs from a clinical specific phobia such as fear of heights. Being gay, lesbian, or bisexual is not a mental illness. Prejudice can appear in personal beliefs, interactions, or institutional practices. … [Read more...]

Bovinophobia is a name used for intense fear of cattle; taurophobia often refers more specifically to bulls. These are descriptive labels rather than separate standard diagnoses. Fear may involve a live animal, a picture, a sound or the possibility of encountering cattle on a walk. The impact depends on where the person lives, works and travels. Someone in a city may … [Read more...]

Scopophobia, also called scoptophobia, is a term used for an intense fear of being looked at or stared at. The concern may involve judgement, embarrassment, a visible symptom or simply feeling exposed. It describes an experience rather than establishing a separate diagnosis. The impact varies. Someone may fear a particular situation, such as eating while watched, … [Read more...]

Seismophobia is a term used for an intense fear of earthquakes. Earthquakes present real hazards, so concern and preparedness are appropriate, particularly in an affected area. The difficulty considered here is persistent anxiety or avoidance that goes beyond useful preparation and disrupts everyday life. Someone may struggle to sleep, repeatedly check seismic reports … [Read more...]

Nyctohylophobia is a name used for an intense fear of forests at night or dark wooded places. Hylophobia is a broader term used for fear of forests. These labels describe the setting, but the actual concern may be getting lost, wildlife, darkness, isolation or a frightening memory. A clinician assesses the experience and its impact rather than diagnosing from the name … [Read more...]