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 phobics 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 repeat nightmares about it and an eventual miscarriage.
Hollywood actor Lindsay Lohan is believed to suffer from Achondroplasiaphobia.
Causes of Achondroplasiaphobia
- The fear of little people usually originates from a negative traumatic experience with dwarves, in the individual’s childhood. For many children, the fear of little people starts with an encounter with a dwarf janitor/worker at school/daycare who has behaved badly with the child.
- Dwarves also appear abnormal due to their large faces, humpbacks or irregular bodies. The fear of dwarves can thus be evolutionary. Mankind is known to fear anything that is extraordinary or ‘out of the normal bounds’.
- Many adult Achondroplasiaphobic individuals actually believe that dwarves are from ‘other planets’ or have alien origins. The concept of ‘little green men’, a commonly used term for Martians, might also have been derived from little people or used interchangeably with each other.
- Often, Achondroplasiaphobia might be related to other disorders like ADHD, nervous disorder, or anxiety disorders.
- In the popular Disney classic Snow White and Seven Dwarves the dwarves are actually shown to be friendly and positive characters. However, they live in forests and work in mines and this is probably due to the fact that they have been outcast by society. Likewise, other media like movies, books etc about dwarves, especially those showcasing these characters in negative light can lead to Achondroplasiaphobia. The movie, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory has characters called Oompa Loompas who are actually little people with magical abilities who tend to play tricks on naughty children.
Symptoms of fear of little people
There are many physical and psychological symptoms of Achondroplasiaphobia.
- Many phobics tend to run or flee away from little people. They have nightmares about little people and often wake up screaming.
- Other may experience a panic attack that requires taking an anti-anxiety medicine to calm down. This includes symptoms like rapid breathing, dry mouth, shaking, staying rooted to the spot, crying, screaming hysterically etc.
- In some cases, the mere talk or image of a little person can set off a full blown anxiety attack.
- Phobics might go out of their way to avoid places where they are likely to encounter little people.
Like other specific phobias, Achondroplasiaphobia can be debilitating and affect a person’s ability to function normally
Overcoming Achondroplasiaphobia
- Psychotherapy is one of the most effective ways of treating and overcoming the fear of little people. Talking out about the fear can help one rationalize it.
- Educating oneself about little people is important for adult Achondroplasiaphobic individuals. Dwarves are not always evil or harmful; these are stereotypical notions about them. They simply have a congenital disorder that has led to their condition.
- Family members and friends should not laugh at the phobia; rather they should play a supportive role and encourage the phobic to think positive thoughts when experiencing an anxiety attack.
- Medication and drugs may be taken to calm anxiety symptoms especially in case the phobia is affecting the day-to-day life. But these must not be relied upon as they have side effects.
- Gradual desensitization therapy is another method of overcoming this fear. It includes slowly exposing the phobic to little people in the form of images, movies etc. This can help one gradually accept them and finally be in their presence without experiencing anxiety attack.
These are a few ways of overcoming Achondroplasiaphobia.
Anonymous says
I saw a little person running towards something near me in Walmart once. I immediately freaked out and nearly kicked them in my scramble to escape. I can’t help it. It’s a legitimate fear, like spiders or Freddy Kruger. In my mind, I see them as monsters, nonhuman, and extremely creepy. I can’t help it, and I feel awful when later I regain the presence of my mind and am reminded they have feelings. I have never had a traumatic experience with one. I am just terrified of them, and it’s my only fear.
robb says
Does anyone who sees this have stories of not fearing little people but actually being the little people watching others run away from you? I want this information for a project.
malou says
I believe that adults being offensive to little people can be seen as someone who might actually be scared of them or uncertain on how to approach them, like they would be any different other than how they look. Fear can show itself differently :)
Nita Suggs says
I have a sincere fear that stems from childhood, and I have had it all my life. I’m 65. It’s real. As real as the fear of clowns.
Tara says
Same! I’m 54 years old and had a traumatic experience as a child. Up until now, I thought I was the only one! It’s an intense fear/anxiety I’ll never get over.
Gosha says
I didn’t know what this was called, and I am happy to know that I am not alone. I feel so bad because I am not one to discriminate, but I just get so afraid and unsure. I scream and have to flee. I am always convinced that the person has seen me no matter how far away and is coming to touch me. I apologize to anyone I am hurting by saying these things.
Gosha says
Yes, not so much a shout but a gasping, and if I can’t get away fast enough, I do start to cry.
Tara says
Yup! Here too! And I have to close my eyes and cover my ears. Idk why. It just happens. I get so scared and always feel horrible for reacting that way. I just can’t help it!
Lana says
I thought I was alone in this for many years and when I finally told someone they thought I was being terrible and mean. And I told others I can’t help it. I don’t like the feeling that comes over me. If you know someone like this, don’t make fun of them and don’t share their story.
Jo Jo says
I am with you, and I honestly thought I was the ONLY person on the planet with the fear of little people! I have to walk away, politely, as I start to shake. As far as I know, I don’t have any type of trauma or situation that cause me feeling this way. I feel horrible for feeling this way, also, but I truly have a difficult time with this.
Troy Roman Knight says
My wife is deathly afraid as well and afraid of birds of any kind at all. Always thought she was just being a meany!
Mark says
I learned to keep it to myself years ago, as the first reaction from others is that you’re unfeeling and nasty. I leave the area and do not engage. I don’t want to offend or hurt anyone’s feelings. I accept that the problem is mine and for me to deal with. In the last negative encounter I had, I won by 150 meters. I just get out of there.
Rob says
Just reading these made me feel so much better. I thought I was totally alone in this.
Jen B says
My midget trauma began after being forced to watch all of the 90s horror Leprechaun movies with my cousins. Then came the fear of the little munchkins + psycho monkeys from the Wizard of Oz. Any mention of the yellow brick road sends me into panic. Finally, Mini Me from Austin Powers + the little boss guy from Elf solidified my views on midgets being aggressive in my brain. I still have a fight or flight reaction to them although I know my fear is discriminatory. How do I fix myself? Please help. Asking for some Achondroplasiaphobic friends.
Takieria Little says
One time I saw a midget at the store and he started to chase me..
Nettte says
That’s exactly what happened to me and my brother when we were kids. My brother got over it, but I never did. I’m 43 years old and terrified!
kay says
So one time i was at a festival and I saw a little person and i went into my friends arms and cried my eyes out. I have a literal fear of them and I feel so bad.
Valerie Sims says
Being a little person or person of short stature is nothing really to be frightened of, and of course because I am a little person I find it strange to hear this. Can I ask what is your actual fear? I know you haven’t mentioned it but firstly try and remember that small people do not like being called a Midget at all. Either call someone a person with dwarfism, short stature, or small person. The word Midget to a small person is like calling a black person a n*****, which you will agree is not very pleasant. So how can you stop this fear that you have. Can I recommend next time you see an adult, I say an adult because it will be easier than talking to a child without being patronized. If you are passing someone just say “good morning”, if they don’t reply, don’t worry you have attempted to speak to him or her. They could be having a bad day or experienced someone doing that just to see how you talk (oh yes that does happen) if they say morning back, next time you see them, say it again, but perhaps adding a bit more, i.e. the weather, the buses, anything that you can say as you’re walking. The person should be very pleased and will be willing to speak to you more another time.
Chrissy says
If it’s the same thing, why are you censoring the n word?
Dp says
Because black people can say the N-word without offense to another black person, little people can say the M-word without offense.
robb says
Hello, do you have any stories to share for me to write a project on? If so, please reply to my comment at the top.
Maiah says
One day I was shopping at Burlington and I saw a midget man walking holding hands with his pregnant regular sized girlfriend and I have been terrified my whole life.
ariella peres says
My height is 1.66, i’m a midget.
Rob Gronkowski says
I hate midgets they scare the crap out of me I Never know what to call them and also I wanna cry when I see them.
Maddog midget says
Just stop staring at them would be one way of overcoming your fear of the little people. Leave them be.
Jessica says
I dont know why but when I see one I feel so scared like I get a heart attack. I even cry if they get close to me.
Jo Jo says
This is exactly how I feel/react! I get all jittery, start shaking and it becomes hard to breathe. I have no idea why.
Anonymous says
Is it strange that reading about others suffering from this makes me feel better about my own fear?
I don’t know why I’m afraid of them, but I’m afraid! And what a lot of friends and family members don’t understand is that being harsh or judgemental about it only makes it worse. I’ve been told that I need to just get over it and that I’m just being rude. That just made me feel even worse.
My worst experience was when a precious little boy was walking around the store in which I worked, excited about everything he saw, and I literally hid and cried because I started having a panic attack. I’ve never felt so evil in my life. Thankfully my MoD was very gracious in helping me calm down.
Anonymous says
Also, I’m pretty sure Seth Rogan suffers from this as well…
Brazil says
I know a small person he builds robots tho
Tim says
Yeah i have been afraid of midgets since i was mugged by one in the early 2000’s. The tiny blade looked so big in his small hands and i just couldnt cope with his speed and agility. I think they have midget powers from their alien relatives. My freinds and family say im crazy for my fear as well.
Jav says
I’ve been scared of midgets since I was little. Their bodies scare me because they seem like aliens. My family thinks it’s crazy but I always said I bet if they checked, people who are midgets were probably born from people who were abducted or had an alien encounter.
Millie says
Same I don’t know why my family says it’s weird and my friends make fun of me because of my phobia :(
kimarley morris says
I just got mugged by a kid. His hand’s were so large but he was tiny.. now im scared of midgets.
Jim says
I remember my cousin first telling me of his fear, and I laughed like a good genuine laughter, with tears and everything! Honestly i thought he was joking, but I felt so bad when I found out he was being for real! I had an uncle that was a dwarf, and I was like an awkward nervous none years old when I met him. He loved to watch WWF with my grandpa 😁 And my uncle was just really funny, and the whole setting was just relaxing I guess. But I can truly appreciate achondroplasia, and how someone could reach both conclusions in different settings! Interesting
Kayla says
Are you kidding me?
I have you know I agree with your family that you are crazy! I am a person who was born with “dwarfism,” which is the correct medical term for a little person (just an FYI, the word “midget” is considered an offensive slur, I am NOT the product of an alien encounter.
The fact that anyone would be so terrified (to the point of shaking, running away, or having nightmares) of another human being, no matter their race, gender, or physical status, is mind-blowing to me!
Laura says
I am with you on this one. I have dwarfism as well.
It’s so draining having to encounter people who call little people the M- word.
Like God created everyone differently, God has his purpose for why each person was created the way they were.
People who make fun of little people, stare at them or even insult them is an act of immaturity.
People need to open their eyes and realize that dwarfism can happen to anyone. It’s just by genetics.
We are humans too. And we feel what everyone else feels. And we deserve to be respected just like any other person.
It’s kind of embarrassing reading all of these comments. These people need to mature.
Imagine someone being rude to a person with down-syndrome, which goes the same as disrespecting a little person.
There are a million conditions and disabilities in this world.
Anyone who is expecting can have a baby with dwarfism. It’s common.
People need to be considerate of other people’s feelings.
Just like people respect other disabilities, we expect that too.
We all have different personalities as well.
Some little people may be mean because of the way others treat them and everything they have to go through.
It’s not fair that we have to deal with negative people who like to see us suffer.
We did not ask to be born this way.
But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am proud to be who I am. God bless everyone who reads this message.
God loves you; God is good. Remember that God created us all differently. He loves each of us. He loves you.
MermaidMama2015 says
I would never, ever use the “m” word, and I am deeply ashamed about the weird aversion I have because I try to be open and accepting of everybody. I would like to think I can keep the feelings internalized, but it is not the person that scares me. It’s visual things that trigger some limbic “panic” button, and I hate that it happens so much. I’m working on overcoming this bizarre reaction I have, and thankfully, it’s not to the point of trembling or having panic attacks.
Weirdly enough, it’s not a universal fear. Like, I actually crush on Warwick Davis in the movie “Willow,” so who knows what’s going on in my head. I just wanted to assure you that not all people with this particular response are hateful or abusive. I really do love you all. My mammal brain just acts up, kinda like my PTSD. I don’t want it; it’s not helping me, and I have to figure out how to dismantle it.