Phobia Guides and Fear Topics

Gerascophobia is a term used for an intense fear of growing older. It may involve health, appearance, loss, independence or uncertainty about the future. The label describes a concern rather than establishing a separate diagnosis or one universal cause. People have varied feelings about ageing. Stories about a “fountain of youth” reflect a longstanding wish to avoid … [Read more...]

Cacomorphobia is an uncommon term used online for fear or aversion towards people in larger bodies. It is not a standard diagnosis. Body size does not tell you a person’s character, behaviour, hygiene or risk to others. Experiencing a fear does not justify discrimination. Distress may involve learned stereotypes, concerns about one’s own body, a past experience with an … [Read more...]

Bathophobia is a term used for an intense fear of depths. Deep water is a common trigger, but some people also feel anxious around wells, caves, tunnels or mountain valleys. The feared feature may be the visible drop, not knowing what lies below, feeling enclosed or imagining being unable to escape. The name combines Greek roots associated with depth and fear. It is a … [Read more...]

Pseudodysphagia and phagophobia are terms used to describe an intense fear of choking or swallowing. A person may dread eating even when a swallowing assessment has not found an explanation for the level of fear. However, difficulty swallowing must be checked medically: anxiety and a physical swallowing problem can coexist, and the word “pseudo” does not mean that distress … [Read more...]

Omphalophobia is a term used for an intense fear of belly buttons, or navels. The name comes from Greek roots associated with the navel and fear. It is not well researched as a distinct condition, so claims about how rare it is, who experiences it or what always causes it should be treated cautiously. People suffering from Omphalophobia are terrified of belly buttons- … [Read more...]

Pogonophobia is a term used for a persistent, intense fear of beards or facial hair. The name combines Greek roots for beard and fear. It describes a possible trigger for anxiety; it is not a diagnosis that can be confirmed from a person’s grooming preferences. Someone may feel uneasy around a particular texture, the way facial hair obscures expressions or an … [Read more...]

Telephonophobia is a descriptive term for intense anxiety about making or receiving telephone calls. A call can feel difficult because the conversation happens in real time, facial expressions are missing and there may be uncertainty about what the other person expects. Some people comfortably use messaging, email and other phone features but become very anxious about … [Read more...]

Tokophobia, also spelt tocophobia, is an extreme fear of childbirth and sometimes of pregnancy itself. It can arise before a first pregnancy or after previous pregnancy or birth experiences. The distress is real and deserves informed, respectful support. Many people have understandable concerns about pregnancy and labour. Tokophobia describes fear that becomes … [Read more...]

Agliophobia, also called algophobia, is a term for an intense fear of pain. Other descriptive names include odynophobia. Anticipating pain is understandable, especially after a difficult experience; the problem is when fear becomes overwhelming or repeatedly prevents necessary care and valued activities. Pain is a personal experience influenced by physical, … [Read more...]

Catoptrophobia, eisoptrophobia and spectrophobia are names used for fear associated with mirrors or reflections. Usage varies, and spectrophobia can also refer to fear of ghosts. These labels describe an experience; they do not establish why someone is distressed or which treatment is appropriate. The central concern may be seeing a reflection, appearance-related … [Read more...]

Musophobia is the fear of mice or rats and the word originates from Latin Mus which means mice and Greek phobos which means deep fear or dread. Other terms used for fear of rats and mice include Murophobia, which is derived from the word ‘Murine’ or the ‘Muridae’ family of mice/rats and Suriphobia which is derived from souris, which is French for mouse. A fear of … [Read more...]

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’. Horse fear has a well-known place in the history of psychology through Freud’s 1909 account of “Little Hans”, a young boy who feared horses. The case is historical, and Freud’s interpretation is not proof of how every … [Read more...]

Phasmophobia is a term used for an intense fear of ghosts or spirits. Spectrophobia is another name sometimes used, although it can also refer to fear associated with mirrors. Beliefs about ghosts vary between individuals and cultures; a belief alone is not a mental health diagnosis. The practical concern is distress and interference with everyday life. For people … [Read more...]

Cibophobia is a descriptive term for an intense fear of food or eating. It can involve fear of choking, vomiting, contamination or another feared consequence. The label does not replace an assessment: food avoidance can have physical, sensory and psychological causes, and inadequate intake can become medically serious. Fear of eating and fear of eating in public overlap … [Read more...]

Scelerophobia is a descriptive term for an intense fear of crime, such as burglary, robbery or assault. Sensible concern about safety is different from anxiety that remains overwhelming and repeatedly prevents ordinary activities. The label is not a substitute for assessing a real threat or understanding the effect of a previous crime. Fear depends on personal … [Read more...]