Papyrophobia is the extreme, unwarranted and irrational fear of paper. The word Papyrophobia is derived from Greek or Egyptian papyro or Papyrus meaning paper and phobos meaning deep dread or aversion.
The fear of paper generally includes the fear of touching paper, writing on it, or simply getting cut by it. Some extreme cases of Papyrophobia often have the sufferer experiencing a full blown panic attack at the mere thought of paper which could range from a clean sheet of paper to even a crumpled ball of paper or wall paper or even gift wrapping paper. The phobia of paper is quite rare with just a handful of people around the world suffering from it. Sometimes, the intensity of the fear increases based upon the type or size of paper.
Let us study this phobia in detail.
Causes of Papyrophobia
Some experts believe that the phobia could exist simply due to the existence of paper or, in general, simply because of the fear of writing or printing things on paper.
A child having cut its finger accidentally on paper could also start fearing all kinds of paper permanently. In most cases though, a highly traumatic episode might lead to the phobia which causes the child’s brain to go into a fight or flight response. In several cases, psychologists are simply unable to pinpoint the exact cause of this relatively rare phobia. Often; genetics, heredity or certain deficiencies could all be responsible for triggering extreme paper phobia. Existence of other anxiety disorders or health conditions can sometimes cause Papyrophobia.
Symptoms of fear of paper
Though extremely rare, Papyrophobia is a very real phobia and the person experiencing it also undergoes various physical, emotional and mental symptoms which are similar to other phobias. These include:
- Shaking, shivering, and trembling at the mere sight or thought of paper. They also experience rapid or shallower breathing, increased heart rate and dry mouth. Some may be unable to articulate or form sentences.
- Full blown panic attack including the urge to flee, crying, screaming is also common in Papyrophobic individuals.
- The sufferers often believe that something really bad might happen to them when they come in contact with paper. Movie-like stills or constant thoughts play in their minds with images of death, dying etc.
- The symptoms of Papyrophobia differ from person to person depending on the extent of the phobia. Some tend to become nauseous or perspire at the sight or touch of paper- still others may experience crippling nervousness that could cause them to embarrass themselves in public.
In very extreme cases, the phobic’s relationships might be affected, as often s/he is ridiculed or laughed at by others. Handling a job or going about day to day affairs involving paper could also become difficult to an extent that s/he is forced to quit.
Treating the phobia of paper
Like other phobias, the best bet to treat Papyrophobia is to first confront the fear. One must also talk about it with loved ones and get them to understand what they feel. If this is not enough, one must go in for psychiatric counseling. Talk therapy through group counseling sessions can also help.
Today, there are several techniques for treating phobias and some the most effectives ones are Cognitive behavior therapy, neuro linguistic reprogramming, as well as Hypnotherapy. All these can help get to the root of the phobia to treat and cure it once and for all.
Another method for treating the fear of paper is gradual or systematic desensitization. In this therapy, the phobic gradually exposes him/herself to the object of his dread, in this case, paper. S/he can start by looking at paper, then progress on to touching or writing on it. This treatment is usually done under the care and guidance of an expert therapist. Through this technique, the phobic learns to control his anxiety response gradually until s/he overcomes Papyrophobia once and for all.
annon says
I’m kinda ok with most kinds of paper. Still, whenever I touch rough paper like notebook paper or cardboard paper, I always feel uncomfortable and irritated and want to drop it at that moment. Does this count as papyrophobia?
River says
I was working on a packet in Spanish class. I tried to flip it over with my hands covered by my hoodie. I dropped it. It brushed against my leg as it fell. I just straight up left to go forget about everything in the bathroom. It sucks. And I can’t tell anyone because they will try to trigger it on purpose because they think it’s funny. We did a thing about fears in Spanish. So I thought I’d mention it because it’s my greatest fear, and I didn’t want to lie. The rest of the class was people intentionally gliding their fingers across the edge of the paper. It was so triggering, and everyone was laughing. Do you know what would be great? If I could wear gloves at school so I could actually pick up the paper without this happening.
Mahmoud says
Did anyone find an effective solution? I’m trying to adapt by using that glossy paper, but unfortunately, the books I use daily are normal paper, and I always feel goosebumps and tingling. Sometimes I have dry mouth and even tooth pain, especially with dust on the paper.
alex says
I would always get uncomfortable at the thought of getting a paper cut on the eye. It would always make me want to close my eyes.
anon says
I feel the exact same way. It’s getting in the way of my life recently.
Ithiel Kessel says
I’m still in school and any time I touch paper I get goosebumps and my skin gets super dry and irritated. And because I’m still in school I have to use paper all the time. I’ve had this problem for as long as I can remember. I try to tell people but nobody understands how it feels. Now that I see other people in the comments going through the same thing I feel more confident about this. If anyone can tell me more about this I’d really appreciate it!
Kms says
Same with me. I’m still in school, and my family doesn’t believe I have this phobia. They think I’m making excuses, but I get goosebumps and shiver down my spine when I touch paper. I can’t even think of it, or I’ll be gritting my teeth while I shiver. I hate how I get treated like I’m lying. Even the teacher doesn’t believe me. This isn’t my only phobia. I have one of deep water, and they believe that – but not my paper problem.
Mahmoud says
+1. I also feel dry mouth and tooth pain, especially if the paper has dust. I have daily numbness and goosebumps.
Duan says
I’m in school also, grade 10. I manage to use this plastic file thing under my hand and arm. That helps a lot, but exams take it away, so I just lift my arm and write like that. My arm hurts after the exam, but it’s fine. So many people ask me, “Why the blue file?” And I say it’s for ink or that I’m very hygienic.
Michael Alston says
I get really grossed out looking at dirty tissues on the ground. I hate it, it’s the worst. They are wet looking and it just grosses me out. It’s hard to be in dirty areas, I start to freak out.
Eden ohayon says
So I don’t have a fear of paper cuts or the sound but I have something really weird, I have dreams about paper whenever I’m sick and it feels really strange. This morning I woke up having a dream of paper and I threw up. I’m scared of paper crumbling but it’s not only a fear, I feel grossed out by paper as well and whenever I write with a pencil, I feel weird if I write hard. Please someone tell me if they have this because I really need to know if I’m the only one.
ann pidgeon says
It happens to me all the time and it’s affecting my school.
not saying says
Yep. Same thing here. When I see paper I for some reason instantly think of paper rubbing against each other or just touching it. And that thought would freak me out. Touching it would freak me out even more.
Duan says
I have it.
Bell says
I have the worst fear of getting a paper cut. This is practically my hidden phobia. Just the thought of having paper just graze me or have it handed to me plainly and I suddenly just imagine getting paper cuts all over my skin, but every time I imagine it it’s like I feel like it happens on my skin. At times I can’t breathe properly because of this and it randomly pops up in my head when there isn’t even paper around. I could be driving and I have to suddenly pull over and breathe. I can actually feel myself get the paper cuts on me and it leaves a stinging sensation all over my body and I just absolutely hate it. I’m not sure when this started but it gets pretty bad to the point where I can imagine getting them in specific areas like my elbows, back of my knees, collarbones, and my eyes. I have to wrap myself up in multiple blankets just to block out any sensation. This is pretty ironic for me as well since I’m a college student dealing constantly with paperwork as well as an artist I have to be around it so much.
Jada Collins says
Just reading that scares the crap out of me. I have a very similar fear. I am scared of getting cut by it. I rather be shot or stabbed then being cut with paper. I feel it on my skin getting cut also and I think of places where it would be bad. It is very embarrassing and I’m in high school also, so I have to deal with it when I grab paper. I have to wear long sleeves or a jacket and put it over my flans before I can grab it, and when I have to hand in a paper or someone else hands me one, I always grab it slowly in case I get cut or they jerk and it cuts me. I get physically sick thinking about paper and I cover up my body so I don’t feel it. I have had nightmares about getting killed by paper or simply walking in an office where people have paper. It’s so bad.
David says
I’m not exactly afraid of it, it’s just that hearing paper or touching it gives me goosebumps and it feels like nails on a chalkboard. I also hate anything that resembles the smoothness of paper like cardboard, although glossy textures on paper don’t effect me at all. I’ve had to deal with this my whole life and I’ve been forced to man up cause no one believes me unless I tell them to look it up. I don’t know what to do anymore.
Hazel says
Same. It’s affected me for as long as I can remember. I can write on paper but if it’s torn or wet and I don’t know where it is or if it’s touching me, it’s disgusting to me. It gets in my way a lot even to the extent that I’m afraid to shower in someone else’s shower because they might have toilet paper in it. It’s a curse really but I don’t see how anything can help it unless I get rid of the paper.
Jeff says
Same. I think the sound of the dry friction is the worst for me. My girlfriend was sanding a wood project last night and it was literally hurting my ears and almost making me nauseous hearing the sound of the sandpaper on the wood.
Anonymous says
Me too don’t worry, I thought I was crazy too. It’s the exact thing that happens to me.
ronald says
I have the exact same issue. No one believed in me. I found a solution in fourth grade and it’s to use a clear file or any type of smooth, glossy thin file under your hand while writing. This is how I cope with the texture of paper.
Kms says
Same. I hated paper since I was little and still do. I’m in my last year at school, and I want to be an artist. I love the thought of drawing, but when I try, I can’t, or I’ll start freaking out, and my body becomes uncomfortable and irritated. So I don’t draw much, and I hate that.
Ashley says
Since I was 6 I had that phobia about paper, rough things, cardboard etc.
Every time I hear paper scrunching or someone takes paper with long nails I get that weird feeling. At school no one believes me and thinks “I made that phobia by myself”. My family believes me and know that.
I’m often about to cry if I hear that sound.
Arianna says
So I have this fear obviously. I HATE it. It’s super annoying in school. I don’t know why I have it but I wish I didn’t. I don’t have the fear of crumbled up paper nor lookin at it. I do have the fear of the sound (such as a pencil writing on it) and the way it feels in my hands (such as me flipping the page or just touching it in general). I know this is not a common phobia and I want to know why I have it.
Leeyah says
I feel you, sometimes in class I’ll start to shake and my friends think it’s funny to tease me and i full out get so annoyed and walk away crying.
Emma says
You should try facing that phobia.
Lexi marie says
My Classmates don’t have any background about phobias and they don’t know how it really hurts inside. They just think I’m lying. Why should I fake something for my whole life? I basically just wanted to die. I hate my phobia, people can’t feel what I am feeling. I sit some days crying my head out not knowing what to do or how to feel about it. Just one thing, if you’re reading this, please be nice to people, respect their phobias. Even if it’s silly, it’s not really silly for them. It hurts them.
bella says
Don’t worry. I feel the exact same and can relate.
Fahry Abdul says
I have phobia to the sound of paper, I mean the friction or rubbing between papers, the sound is just so dry and terrible, I can’t take it.
Maddie says
It’s okay. I do too. I hate the sound of ripped paper! I also have the phobia of paper cuts. Even thinking about them is bad.
Nessa says
I tend to get anxious while in class seeing that everyone has paper and they’re constantly flipping pages around and flaunting them obnoxiously at the teacher.
My hands sweat, and my heart beats fast, and I overall get kinda shaky and nervous when I have it around me in the fear that It’ll cut me.
I’m lowkey afraid of it because I keep over thinking things and fearing that someone will accidentally graze it against my arms, hands, fingers, thighs (legs), lower back, and even the back of my neck. (Basically any exposed skin.)
Some days it really doesn’t bother me, but some days I feel like I need to step outside and take a breath because my anxiety is just overwhelming. My mind VIVIDLY imagines the pain and sting of getting a papercut anywhere and amplifies it to an entirely new level, leaving my mind and imagination to do the job alone.
I feel like I’m improving though, (slowly).
Lol, laugh all you want, but it really does bother me, but just know I’m getting better at being around it and if you have slight anxiety around it, remember to breathe and try your best to focus on something else.
Have a good day.
Shelley says
In school I hated the feeling of paper grazing or rubbing against the side of my hand while I took notes. It drove me crazy. So I’d put a plastic ruler against the page so the side of my hand would press against that instead, and then in university I took notes with a laptop. I’m OK using paper, but not feeling it against my skin… it’s too dry, too powdery-feeling.
Quinn says
I have a phobia of paper. Instead of my mouth going dry it spits more and I’m still in school and I always wear a jumper every day so I don’t touch the paper as much.