Phobias are distressing emotions initiated by out-of-proportion-fears, both real and imaginary. To the sufferer, a phobia can seem unbearable or even life-threatening, while others might find these strange and bizarre phobias quite fascinating.
Today, we will show you some of the most common phobias in the world, so sit back and be prepared to be equally terrified, amazed, surprised and entertained.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 phobias of all time, starting with number 10 and counting down to the one thing that people fear most.
10. Trypophobia – The fear of holes
Biological revulsion and culturally learned fears are the primary causes of Trypophobia, which is the extreme and irrational fear of holes. While this fear might seem irrational to ‘normal’ people, the mere sight or thought of holes can set off a panic attack in the Trypophobe. As a result, the individual avoids objects such as coral, sponges, skin, meat, dried honeycombs and pretty much everything that has holes on it. Holes seem disgusting and gross to the sufferer and s/he goes to all lengths to avoid it.
9. Aerophobia – The fear of flying
Aerophobia is the fear of flying which affects nearly 6.5% of the world’s population. The phobia is usually associated with other fears including Agoraphobia (fear of being unable to escape) and Claustrophobia (fear of small and restricted spaces). Naturally, the fear affects the person’s professional and personal life as air travel is nearly impossible for him/her. The mere thought of an upcoming flight can cause intense distress in the sufferer including nausea, panic attacks, etc.
8. Mysophobia – The fear of germs
Mysophobia is the excessive fear of germs which is often closely related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Many people suffer from both OCD as well as Mysophobia, as a result of which they might indulge in excessive bathing or hand washing. The unhealthy fear of germs causes the phobics to also fear contamination of food or exposure to bodily fluids from those around them. Mysophobia might lead to many complications since the person goes to extreme lengths to avoid all kinds of social situations. Isolation is a common symptom of this phobia. The condition might also give rise to other phobias such as Agoraphobia as well as various anxiety disorders.
7. Claustrophobia – The fear of small spaces
Nearly 5 to 7% of the world’s population is known to suffer from Claustrophobia – the fear of small or restricted spaces. This phobia is mainly related to the fear of suffocation or the fear of restriction. The phobia has been highly studied by experts and scientists, though the sad fact remains that only 2% of its sufferers seek treatment. Claustrophobia is often confused with Cleithrophobia which is the extreme fear of being trapped.
6. Astraphobia – The fear of thunder and lightning
Storms are a common occurrence in many parts of the world, and to an Astraphobic individual, they can be downright debilitating. The majority of sufferers of Astraphobia are children, although the phobia can persist into adulthood as well. Even the most ferocious and wild animals have an extreme fear of thunder and lightning, and hiding is the natural psychological defense. Astraphobia, also called Brontophobia, is known to affect nearly 2% of Americans. Thankfully, it is a highly treatable phobia with many treatment options.
5. Cynophobia – The fear of dogs
Cynophobia, the extreme fear of dogs, is one of the most common animal phobias around the world. Nearly 36% sufferers seek treatment for Cynophobia and the majority of these are also known to be afraid of cats. The extreme fear of dogs is actually even more debilitating than the fear of spiders and the fear of snakes due to the fact that dogs are commonly present in most residential areas. Nearly 75% of Cynophobes are women, though the fear also affects men. The condition usually begins in childhood, but many patients are also known to have developed the fear in their adulthood.
4. Agoraphobia – The fear of open or crowded spaces
Nearly 2 out of every 100 Americans suffers from Agoraphobia, the fear of open or crowded spaces. This is a debilitating condition which prevents the phobic from visiting malls, markets, theaters and other crowded areas as well as open grounds. The individual feels intense panic at the mere thought or sight of such a space (that s/he feels it will be difficult to escape from). Agoraphobia becomes a vicious circle where the sufferer feels afraid of experiencing a panic attack and these thoughts again lead to a panic attack. Limiting activities and avoidance behavior becomes a part of the phobic’s life. Depression is hence a common symptom of this phobia.
3. Acrophobia – The fear of heights
Acrophobia is an irrational fear of heights or the fear of falling (even when the person is not really that high up). It is a specific phobia that causes the sufferers to be highly agitated or in a state of panic which could interfere with his/her ability to climb down. In severe cases of Acrophobia, a panic attack might be triggered even when the sufferer is climbing up or down a chair. Nearly 10% of people in the United States are known to suffer from Acrophobia.
2. Ophidiophobia – The fear of snakes
The fear of snakes or Ophidiophobia is the second most common zoophobia (right after the no. 1 phobia on this list) affecting nearly 1/3rd of the adult human population. Like the phobia mentioned below, the fear of snakes also has evolutionary roots. To an extent, the fear of venomous snakes is also essential for survival. Extreme Ophidiophobia can affect one’s life as one tends to avoid hiking, camping and related activities or might even become afraid of pet store snakes and other reptiles. Next up is the number one phobia of all time.
1. Arachnophobia – The fear of spiders
Nearly 30.5% of Arachnophobia sufferers (the excessive fear of spiders or other arachnids like scorpions) are living in the United States alone. It is one of the most common animal phobias around the world. The cause of the phobia is often evolutionary meaning that some species of spiders are deadly and it is a natural human response to survive. Arachnophobes however tend to go to extreme lengths to ensure that their surroundings are free from spiders, often causing themselves a great deal of embarrassment, which is something most phobics try hard to avoid.
So there you have it – the top 10 phobias of all time. Share this list of extremely common fears with your friends and remember to check out the top 100 phobias in the world if you want more like this.
Would you like to know what the rich and famous are afraid of? Here are some surprising celebrity phobias.
Jimmy Li says
I am very scared and I feel like I am being stalked.
April Hamlett says
I have Trypophobia. I have been looking into phobias tonight. It’s Factual Friday, and I chose I’d learn a new fact about Phobias. I’ve had to tread very slowly out of fear of running into a picture. I swear I’ve seen the worst trigger images online tonight. I feel sick. My eyes are wet from tearing up and being so frightened. A lot believe Trypophobia isn’t a real phobia and or it’s a natural learned safety instinct.
I can 100% pinpoint the moment and why I developed this fear. It was a horrific, deeply disturbing, heartbreaking scene. I couldn’t turn away or get away from it. I had to deal with it.
I can remember the first time I was triggered after the initial event. It was from a friend’s cooking pot. An FN pot! I immediately froze, and my stomach churned. I was near sick and near tears, confused as to why I was reacting the way I was. Dont remember how long it took me to connect the dots to the why. I wasn’t the same the rest of that day.
I’d love to find someone researching this topic interested in my story and even testing.
KesaiPlays says
I also have trypophobia, and it’s so annoying. Once, I was in a science class, and we were learning about smallpox, and then the teacher showed us a picture of a person suffering from smallpox. I nearly burst out in tears and tried not to seem awkward, but I just couldn’t look at the picture. The more I did, the more nauseous I felt.
Zeynep says
Although many people fear spiders, the most popular superhero is Spider-Man. I think it’s so weird. I’m afraid of spiders, too, but my favorite superhero is Spider-Man :)
When Stan Lee created Spider-Man, his editor told him, “Everyone fears spiders. I think you should change this.” But in the end, Spider-Man became the most popular superhero.
Bob says
I like this very much.
TheRealErin says
I thought I was a terrible person to be deathly afraid of mice, being alone, injections, surgery, horses, being buried alive, small spaces, people stalking me, sudden loud noises, and heights. This website has made me feel way better! Thank you! :)
alex says
I’m very afraid of dying.
Bella says
Me too.
Enyal says
Same here.
JP says
I don’t see the point in being afraid of something that none of us can avoid. Just make the most of the time you have while you are alive. Don’t waste a second of it. Life is precious.
Cyanide Jack says
Kind of insensitive. People can’t control what they fear. It doesn’t work that way.
Abigail says
It is insensitive, but I think what he meant was are YOU gonna let that fear of death stop you from living? Like he said, life is precious. The way he presented it was wrong, but he meant no harm.
jenasia says
Well, you can’t control it.
Kia says
That’s an ignorant thing to say.
Poppy says
Seriously, though, that was super insensitive.
Mohamed says
I am scared of hospitals and needles because hospitals remind me of when I was in an asylum. The people are arrested but I am still scared of it. I am also scared of clowns.
charlie alexander says
What did you go to the asylum for, if you don’t mind me asking?
Izzy says
I came to this website just to look at the different kinds of phobias, but after looking at them I realized that I have some of these. Really thinking about it, some of them affect my everyday life. I have the following: fear of spiders, death, failure, being alone, being forgotten, needles, blood, bugs and insects, bees, ducks, pain, wasps, and hornets. I have gotten better at controlling some of my phobias like spiders and ducks, but I still won’t touch, go near, or look at pictures of them. The reason I have ducks on the list is that when I was younger a duck bit me while at a zoo, and I just never went near them again. Well anyway, if you have advice for overcoming these phobias, please give this a reply.
Mohamed says
I have one for ducks. You can feed them bread, then they won’t bite you or anything, but keep some distance.
Azalea says
Damn near every one on the list.
Neenah Bobbsey says
Woah, that’s a lot of fears. I only fear snakes, and I am allergic to the rainy season. I get all disgusted, and I feel like just staying home and not moving. I feel so miserable. My face turns from soft to bumpy. I get ringworm on my hands, and my lips turn black. God, I do not like rain.
Bart Wilkins says
What about the fear of darkness? I thought it would be the top three fears, after spiders and heights.
Wanda Maximoff says
The fear of darkness is called Nyctophobia. I have it too.
Enyal says
I also have the fear of darkness, and heights, partly spiders.
Landyn says
I have a weird fear of awkward moments.
Wayne says
You need to start pushing through your fears like I did.
Hollie says
Hmm okay. Any tips on burying yourself alive?
JohnnySav says
Yes. One tip would be to enlist help because it will be somewhat impossible to fill the hole completely once you begin covering yourself with dirt.
asheikh says
Yes I am afraid of certain things. Need instructions for next steps.
paris says
What are you afraid of?
paris says
I’m afraid of tornadoes.
Coulrophobic says
Well me too and i never saw one in real life.
armeen says
Sometimes me too.
Adriana says
Spiders they are just creepy but if they leave me alone I leave them be.
Kataryna says
I’m afraid of sleep paralysis and dark shadows at night.
Trina says
Have you tried practicing Lucid Dreaming? When I was young I’d have sleep paralysis constantly. A therapist and lots of research taught me to recognize that my consciousness is awake while my subconsciousness and sleep paralysis are still “asleep”. While I still have sleep paralysis, I usually no longer have that feeling of an evil presence, just frustrated that I’m awake before the rest of me. I usually start to sing the Alphabet song, which wakes me up faster. Good luck because that feeling is the worst and I now believe it’s genetic because my youngest son, my niece and my mom all suffer from it as well.
Angel U says
Me too. I cant even move or breathe.
Neenah Bobbsey says
I almost every day have sleep paralysis. First, I will try to move, then if I let it be, I will stop breathing slowly. It’s really scary.
Shopie says
I’m very very scared of being sick, like petrified of it. I will instantly be so rude that once my best friend was sick in our car I got out the car and refused to get back in. I spent the next hour walking home.
Anonymous Girl says
I am afraid of losing my best friend or family.
Kane says
I have a weird phobia. I have a fear of stepping on slugs, because of the sound it makes, ICK.
ashley says
I’m afraid of small spaces.
Hollie says
I’m afraid of needles and wasps (even though I’ve never been stung), maggots and parasitic worms (I’ve actually puked because of it), and the fear of being buried alive (but I’m not claustrophobic).
Seisho Makgetla says
I’m very much afraid of snakes, especially water snakes. I really don’t know what causes that.
Carol says
Hi. I have been working a lot on overcoming my fear of getting in trouble. It’s a fear of making a mistake and disappointing others. When I succumb to the fear it causes me to be dishonest, to hide, lie, make excuses and give long explanations for my actions. Conquering it requires me to let go of the need to please others and accept myself completely as I am, both my successes and my failures, be honest and let the chips fall where they will. Shakespeare said, oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. I have been down that road of weaving that tangled web, and it begins with the tiniest, most insignificant deception and after that you start lying to cover your lies, and it’s just crazy. It’s fear. Only God can help, and I don’t mean religion, I mean truly developing a relationship with that invisible being and just being completely honest alone with that one and admitting your flaws to him and truly making amends. And don’t even speak with other people about it until you’ve had a long long talk with God. Other people will give you advice and only add vice to your life. And don’t get into religion because that is the root of the problem. The fear of God is developed through religion. And it goes back many lifetimes which is how all irrational fears develop. Fear of water, for example, probably means you died by drowning in your past birth.
Md says
Wow so long. I have a phobia of getting stabbed by a knife aka pungophobia
Vallina says
I’m afraid of perfection. I can’t have a picture hung straight or my bed made perfect but the funny thing is my mom is OCD. I’m also afraid of the word mash potatoes and storms. If it at all even just rains, I hide in my bathtub and I’m about to be sixteen.
bloodmoonPearl says
Yeah me too, but it’s really hard to change when you are experiencing mental bullying, depression, the fear of monophobia, and the fear of disappointing others. It’s just so painful when you even try to. I myself have tried. Tried and failed, losing my best friend. It’s just too painful.
Stockton says
I have the same fear for getting it trouble because it has happened so many times. Some which weren’t even my fault, I always get blamed.
Mason Stevens says
I’m afraid of death, the unknown, the future, and getting into a car crash.
Hailey says
Same.
StealthJet says
Oh im scared of unreal stuff such as creepypastas. You should view death as another life, another adventure after life and that will help reduce your fear of death.
Emily says
Don’t be afraid of Creepypasta. They can be really cool! I was scared at first, but then I looked up funny pictures and memes, and I got over it quickly, laughing even! They are now my favorite topic, too.
Vjf says
What about clowns
Anthony jones says
Totally freaked out by clowns. Most people assume it’s because of Steven king’s IT, nope, I’m scared of all clowns, circus etc.
tay tay says
I used to be terrified of clowns and I’m not saying it will work for you but I watched movies with clowns like it and eventually got over my fear and now I love clowns.
hal says
erythrophobia : fear of blushing is missing
barryalen says
i am afraid of nothing on this page
Jackson says
wow good for you
StealthJet says
same
Chloe says
Lucky I hate everything on it
Moses says
Psychosis
killerbeast27 says
I’m scared of tarantulas. I mean they are ugly, they are so hairy.
patton says
I have arachnophobia too so i understand.
dantheman says
I am afraid of my dark closet.
THE SUN says
I am afraid of the sun
Hayden says
Is there a phobia for not getting into a good high school.
Anomos says
I have global phobia
Akani says
I was curious about all the fears one could have. I never knew there were so many. This website really opened my eyes.
I also learned I have quite a bit of these fears, my worst ones being of abandonment and heights. I’m also scared of thunder and lightning, small spaces, flying, escalators, public speaking, failing, and more.
Anastasia says
I have a fear of public speaking too but, the key is join a public speaking club and don’t quit and then when it comes to the day you’re like I can’t quit now, today I was scared but I said my speech in front of the whole school.
Lipenda says
I wish we had such groups in my days at school. Am 34 and I still have fear of public speaking. My voice breaks so bad and my heart beats very fast.
bonnie says
I have a fear of public speaking during exams. I’m scared I will fail.
Rishika says
I have had this fear of heights since i was a little kid!
I’m perfectly okay with traveling in planes and all, but for some reason, i feel my heart sink every time i’m in a tall building and i look down! Climbing stairs where there are gaps in the middle was the worst! I’d feel as though i was having a fever. I would shake and my family would think that i was just acting up. I would never be able to climb stairs onto water slides causing me to miss out every time! It was the worst when no one would understand why i couldn’t go up higher. My legs just seemed to lock and no matter how hard i would try to go upwards i just couldn’t step up. A lot of the times i would go home crying and felt like i ruined the family trip.
I don’t know if this is related or not but i had a hard time swimming under deep water too. I think it made me uncomfortable looking down.
However, now I’m not too bad with heights. I’ve learnt how to control it by not looking downwards. I do still experience the same kind of heart sinking i happen to look downwards, but I use my tricks and am able to become less of a disappointment! I still am not able to swim though!
Can any one relate?
Jackson says
Yes very much so
DaDonkeyWay says
My Phobias:
Trypophobia
Carcinophobia
Thanatophobia
Glossophobia
Monophobia
Atychiphobia
Aphenphosmphobia
Autophobia
Hemophobia
Scelerophobia
Gamophobia
Agliophobia
Xenophobia
Tokophobia
Androphobia
Agoraphobia
Coulrophobia
Philophobia
Photophobia
Taphophobia
Gabby Brown says
That is a lot of phobias! You might want to go get that checked out !
Arsei says
Just tell what you don’t fear… that’s much easier.
Logan Le'Elle says
I’m pretty sure I’m glossophobic. Once, I had to be sent home from school because I had a panic attack during a play. I was supposed to explain the importance of something stupid, like kites or something, in front of the whole school, along with all of the parents, grandparents, etc. who decided to watch the play, so it ended up being around 600-700 people. Once it was my turn to speak, I walked off of the stage and asked to go to the nurse because I felt like I was going to actually vomit. The stupid thing is, though, I was never told about this play, much less that I had one of the main roles, until about ten minutes before it started. And, I had never even asked or wanted to be in the play to begin with. My school never did auditions for plays, they would just pick kids to be in the play, give them their role, and send them backstage to study for a few minutes. Before this, I had never been given any major roles, just minor ones where I had to stand on the bleachers with all of the other kids who didn’t get main roles and sing. Of course, I just stood there awkwardly and hid behind someone. I probably sound really stupid for posting this but I guess it can’t hurt, can it?
VJ says
I have a phobia…. I’m afraid of space. It’s called a spacephobia.
Braden says
Chronophobia, fear of time passing, claustrophobia and agoraphobia, fear of open spaces is the worst combo ever…. Is there fear of God? I kinda fear Him…😐
Isha says
I have fear of spiders…fear of holes and open water
Jesse says
If you’re scared of holes then you have trypophobia. I have it too, it’s just disgusting.
L says
I have 11 phobias, is that a bad thing?
Apiphobia – Bees
Demophobia – Crowds
Agoraphobia – Crowded spaces
Thanatophobia – Death
Arachnophobia – Spiders
Haptophobia – Touch
Acrophobia – Heights
Basiphobia – Falling
Globophobia – Balloons
Metathesiophobia – Change
Anthropophobia – People
I also have Anxiety and Panic attacks, i just wanted to know if that has anything to do with it. Thanks.
Ren Foley says
It probably is linked. The best thing to do would be to check it out with your local psychiatrist or doctor. It would never hurt to just check something out! Hope you learn to overcome your fears.
Violet says
I’ve got athazagoraphobia. Fear of being forgotten. Even the thought of it tears me apart. Give it a little thinking and you might have it as well.
And recently im developing a phobia for lizards. What’s it called?
Pansey Parkinson says
I have a fear of being forgotten, also I hate it. Once when I went out with my sister, mom, aunt and two cousins, they forgot about me in the back. Ever since that, I started having a fear of being hated. Is that normal?
Jenna says
I myself have melissophobia, the fear of bees. I get very severe anxiety during summer and spring, almost never leaving the house during these times in fear of them. I can’t even go on trips with the family because I have the anxiety constantly gnawing at me while outdoors. Ironically, I’ve never been stung or bit by any single insect in my life, so I’ve always found it strange. Any picture I see of a bee, I look at its abdomen and my arm starts to hurt. Any bee I see is enough to make me start SPRINTING away in fear of it following me, on the hunt for my blood.
Meg says
What is the fear of dentists?
Melissia walker says
Great article thanks for the information
Josiya says
My condition is a bit different, I have long term episodic depression. When I enter an episode I develop Agoraphobia and a social anxiety. I don’t know which causes the other now; because it said in the article that Agoraphobia causes depression as a result of limiting activities and avoidance behavior. So when im not in a depression episode im social and funny with other ppl, but also not entirely non-agoraphobic (I still don’t like crowded spaces and supermarkets, I like open spaces though like the sea or a field or the view off a hill or mountain).
I don’t get out of the house during these episodes and fear to meet my friends and acquaintances so i don’t have friends anymore because they think I don’t care abt them. I also can’t hold a job for a long time because eventually I feel trapped and quit and stay home for long periods of time. I can’t have a relationship because at some time I want isolation and not to see the girl I’m with. Above all, I can’t seek therapy because I don’t have the money for it since I can’t hold a job. It’s a cycle and I’m being consumed by it. I’m from Egypt and no one here acknowledges mental illness to begin with. They think ppl are either sane or insane. Sry for the rant but truly I don’t know what to do.
That one person you never notice says
I have a fear of not being accepted by others. I fear others will just push me aside and ignore my existence. Basically fading into time, just as another person on the face of the earth.
Yoyo says
I get that. God, do I get that. Believe me, there are a lot more people than you think who feel the same way you do. You’re not alone. If you’re still around — and I know it’s been few years — I hope you’re doing better.
There are people who care about you and will care about you. Reaching out can hurt. Reaching out does hurt, sometimes, but you also find people you never knew existed, either. You’re worth notice, bud. Everybody is.
Eli Detter says
That was very weird the phobias.
Ahlaan says
I know right
The Scrav says
I have a fear of not being able to find a job if I quit my job before finding another job. Is there a phobia for this?
Nehal Ahmed shaikh says
Ergophobia or ergasiophobia
sean says
i have astraphobia
Kassidy says
So do I
Economist says
Bankruptophobia
Ben says
It’s called “rational”phobia
John Bay says
Probably not. Its called Anxiety of Jobs. Google it. You are a grown man.
Hailey says
Not all people are grown men. Some people are women too. Like me. You don’t have to be so rude.
Pansey Parkinson says
Exactly! Dude we are all humans made of the same thing. We may not have the same skin tones, but that does not matter. Also, when you do that, it reminds me of the phobia that I have, being bullied. I was bullied a lot in school. Now I have a phobia of being hated and forgotten and bullied, so they may feel bad you know!
Emma Hendrix says
sure about that
Steve Gamblin says
This sounds like nothing more than a natural fear to me – not a phobia. A phobia is an irrational fear of something. Actually, ‘fear’ is rather misleading, since phobias induce terror, often accompanied by panic, sweating, trembling, heart palpitations, etc. Is this how you feel about quitting your job? Fear and phobia are as different as headaches and migraines, bicycles and motorcycles.
Lauren says
I don’t really have much fears but I have this fear, kinda like Basiphobia (The fear of falling) but I am terrified of falling backwards like out of a tree because you would fall back. I even have much trouble with trust falls or falling back on a bed even. I once went bungee jumping on those like trampolines and that scared me. I hate spiders but wouldn’t go as far as a phobia. I also dislike those holes in the ground like caves or caverns, not the caves in the wall but more in the ground that you could fall down, I wouldn’t ever go exploring in one. I though have a friend with Anuptaphobia (The fear of being single) and is having a hard time getting her to be okay when she isn’t near someone she likes. Some of these phobias out there are crazy stupid but there are people dealing with them and I would like to say good luck. I know many people with tiny fears and maybe even small phobias that don’t even know it.
Good luck!
Mj says
I have the fear of long words. I’m actually afraid to think of long words. So I can’t give you the phobia name, sorry.
StealthJet says
Yo Mj fear of long words like supercalafragilisticexpialidocious is called Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.
Rasheed says
No one wanted or is gonna read this.
Your conscience says
Wow Rasheed i mean not trying to be rude but that was really rude i mean these people are coming out here and saying things they might not actually tell anyone in person, like having glossophobia or something like that.
AA says
What would a phobia of phobias be called?
Phobia-aversion? Phobophobia?
Aries says
A fear of phobia? It’s called Phobophobia
KPoP says
phobia of everything- you can find it in the 100 phobias list
HORSEOPHOBIA says
It’s called phobophobiA
Nicky says
What is the phobia for the fear of loss of control.
Roy says
My Phobias are:
Gerontophobia
Arachnophobia
Ophidiophobia
Astraphobia
Glossophobia
Monophobia
Autophobia
Globophobia
Nyctophobia
Phobophobia
Philophobia
Emetophobia
Entemophobia
Apiphobia
Katsaridaphobia
Phasmophobia
Pogonophobia
Coulrophobia
Coasterphobia
Thalassophobia
Taphophobia
nathaniel Powell says
hmmm. you might want to consider seeing a therapist.
Kassidy says
Yeah you should
Lauren says
Most of those are common minus a few like your fear of the sea and the balloons. Most can appear in people though most fade with age like your fear of darkness, clowns, and ghosts.
thecar says
Wth man get some help
Mike says
why?
Meggie says
I’m scared of half of the stuff on this planet
AA says
Does that include half your body? ;-)
Lauren says
There is actually a phobia of everything…
Dan says
Do you have a name for a person who is scared of mushrooms? I am…
jeaniebird says
Mycophobia- Fear or aversion to mushrooms.
C says
OMG! I have that same fear. I’ve never met anyone else with that phobia. It’s irrational but real!
Kirito says
I am afraid of girls what phobia is that?
bre says
gynophobia
Diane B says
Trumpophobia = the fear of a self-promoting buffoon being elected President
turkish43 says
Politicphobia = the fear of someone making a non political thing a political thing
Laura says
Good one!!! Lol
Jeannine says
I like that one I definitely have it!! Now I seem to panic all the time!
sophy says
nice information for us thanks
FADY MOHAMED says
My condition is a bit different, I have long term episodic depression. When I enter an episode I develop Agoraphobia and a social anxiety. I don’t know which causes the other now; because it said in the article that Agoraphobia causes depression as a result of limiting activities and avoidance behavior. So when im not in a depression episode im social and funny with other ppl, but also not entirely non-agoraphobic (I still don’t like crowded spaces and supermarkets, I like open spaces though like the sea or a field or the view off a hill or mountain).
I don’t get out of the house during these episodes and fear to meet my friends and acquaintances so i don have friends anymore because they think I don’t care abt them. I also can’t hold a job for a long time because eventually I feel trapped and quit and stay home for long periods of time. I can’t have a relationship because at some time I want isolation and not to see the girl I’m with. Above all, I can’t seek therapy because I don’t have the money for it since I can’t hold a job. It’s a cycle and I’m being consumed by it. I’m from Egypt and no one here acknowledges mental illness to begin with. they think ppl are either sane or insane. Sry for the rant but truly I don’t know what to do.
Scott Black says
Please email me. God asked me to reach out to you. I can help, if you are willing to get better. LikeItMatters dot net is my training company. I do a daily radio show as well. LikeItMattersRadio dot com
I am Scott Black and you can email me at Mr.Black @ LikeItMatters dot net
God bless you brother. I hope you choose to follow through and I know I know how people work. I am an NLP Master Practitioner. Been chaning lives for 23 years. But you must believe you are helpable and that YOU have the tools to do it! I will show you those tools, but you have to fight some of your programming. You most likely also have some spiritual issues. The Spirit of depression and Infirmity have definite strongholds in your life.
Anyways, I look forward to hearing from you and helping you help yourself and get BACK IN the game of life!
Sweet plum says
I am the same way a long episode of relapse self harm and extreme ocd it sucks and I have ocd abt germs and all that fun stuff and I have crippling anxiety and I need help
mounircinema says
very interesting information . Thank you
HI says
I have tyrophobia and I am nine !
pintu says
So you need to mention your age? for what.. phobia doesnt matter if youre young or old
AA says
Pintu, “HI” is only 9… People can grow out of phobias or develop phobia in later life,so age is relevant. If it bothers you you can always ignore it.
Barbara says
I have androphobia. Sure it is related to trauma I only realized it after watching the movie Repulsion. I have never had temptation to go as far as Carol did in the movie but I saw similarities to my fear of men. Then miraculously I found this website the next day. This is a real gift. I hope to now be able to get to the root of my anxiety and be happier. Thank you.
Hani Shahidi says
I’m an English teacher, im gonna let my students know about top 10 phobias i found your website quite helpful.. Thanks a million..
BTW, my biggest fear is being fearless..
HatesHW says
If you are an English teacher, why did you use improper grammar?
farid says
lmao
Kirito says
Fear Of Wrong GRAMMAR xD….
Kluna says
I have Arachnophobia (and a fear of many other insects), and whenever I see a spider, whether picture or not, my left hand twitches like a death seizure. It’s kinda like waving your arm very hard and fast, resulting in pain in your wrist. I hate spiders, and also my fears of them because I (without control), fling my hand/wrist and hurt myself. And the other thing that really annoys me, is that I have my bedroom in the basement, which means huge spiders out of nowhere.
Liam says
I am afraid of sleeping as it makes me feel like I am not in control of my life. I feel like I am trapped in the disgusting body of an animal, controlled by physical urges such as the desire to eat, sleep, go to the toilet etc.
I want to feel that I am above all that animal crap. Human beings are more than just mere animals. We are higher. We have something called free will, and yet, we are trapped in these terrible, crude bodies of matter.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good meal and a relaxing sleep, but I am angry that I am controlled by these physical urges. I feel like it is beneath me as a noble human being. Many thanks for reading this and feel welcome to reply.
Alyssa Smith says
How interesting. Is it the physical urges themselves, or being forced to do them that makes you so angry?
Kirito says
I have this kind of feeling every time I go do stuff that needs the exact time I feel like something is making me stay, forcing me to stop, making me feel that Im at loss, telling me that Im not gonna make it in time such as goin out with your family on vacation yet something is telling you that you cant go, your gonna stay and something like that. Is it a Phobia or just my mental disorder? Makes me feel uneasy about time
Abby says
Do you ever sleep like or do you just have the fear
jayke says
I’m not trying to be rude or anything, just straightforward. * I can understand the aversion to something or even the knowledge of something so I hope this doesn’t harm you, but – Animals also have free will. If you did some research you would know this, and other things such as monkeys can reason, this has been documented; cats have the same areas in the brain used for emotion as humans; crows can also reason and use tools, like monkeys, and many other things. Humans are not ‘better’ than other animals; it is a scientific fact that humans are animals.
marthaphobia says
What if i dont have any fears, is that unnatural??
Caden Sutton says
Well, given that your name has phobia in it, that is a bit odd.
Kirito says
Well having no fear is already a disorder… Telling me the question ” Are You Even a Human?”
Jazmin Acosta says
Im scared of
1. Butter knives
2. Raisins (I feel like im eating tiny old people)
3. Clowns
4. Being home alone when its night time
5. Certain bugs
6. Change
7. Being left behind to be all alone with no one to care about me
8. Sometimes heights
9. Really big spaces
10. Small spaces depends how small though
sophy says
fear of change is metathesiophobia
Hi says
What’s it called when you have a fear of things falling on you?
Hi says
Also I am scared of being too close to a building.
Megan says
Is there a fear of things not changing or staying the same?
Michael says
Jamine. I have # 7. I also have Thanatophobia – The fear of dying. I have a bunch of others as well but I did not notice any of the really until I turned 49. I’m 51 now. I’ve always been afraid of flying but love Airplanes. My last air flight was 2006 and I just can’t get on one because of my fear of small spaces.. etc etc.. old age is not seeming good for me.
Laura says
Janine I think everyone has a fear of dying because we don’t know what’s on the other side! The way I look at it first everyone and everything dies, and I do believe we all have a soul and we’re put here for a reason! This world is Going to on long long after we are gone! We are here a split second! I believe we will see all of our loved ones again. Even pets! This can’t be all their is! Maybe thinking of it that way will ease your mind, your soul will live on.
Megan says
Many people are afraid of dying, I don’t really understand it. For me I’m afraid of being dead but not the actual process of dying.
Alexandra Wright ( Ali) says
Talking about clowns we have clowns in our town! My town name is Emmett Idaho.
Rasheed says
I might be wrong but you seem to be the no. 6 type in the Enneagram system .. if so an understanding of why we do things the way we do them is very helpful to possibly get rid of those low functioning traits if you wanna call them that :)
Willow Lavender says
I am scared of most things…
Vlascenco Alexandru says
My name is Vlascenco Alexandru and i suffer because agoraphobia is in my life and i can’t live my life in peace and in happiness. I have a lot of thoughts who don’t leave me alone. I want a doctor to help me with this phobia. If somebody can help please answer with a message. Thanks.
Cynthia says
God can help my friend, just pray and have faith. May the lord bless you.
jayke says
Vlascenco Alexandru — I know it has been a long time since you commented, but maybe you’ll see this. I hope you are well and I wish you well. This is only my educated and experienced opinion. This comment is rather general and can be used to apply to anyone with a fear or phobia really. I am not a professional in any area of the mind. – Things like cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure therapy could help. There is no medicine that can take away a phobia or fear. Drugs only mask the problem, there are a number of side effects that are often specific to an individual, and addiction is a possibility. It doesn’t have to be a physical addiction either, but just the mental/emotional addiction of relief from a phobia/fear for a few minutes can be enough. I know that sounds tempting, but it will lead to a physical addiction. There should never be a medicine that can take away phobia/fear considering all of the things I’ve already said. Relying on drugs to help you with ANYTHING is too dangerous for ANYONE. Telling the people in your life that you TRUST about your situation makes them aware of it and therefore more likely to understand, and less likely to get confused, angry, defensive, accusatory, sad, etc. when you do or do not do something. Be willing to answer your friends’/familys’ fair questions as well as tamping down a little bit each day on your phobia, but your friends and family need to know what your limits (hopefully so far) are. I don’t know you or your situation so you need to decide for yourself what “fair” is and how much “tamping down” you can handle; from opening the door to the outside and breathing in, to opening a window, to stepping outside onto your front stoop/porch, or going shopping or for a walk once in a 7-day week. — For the next part of my very long comment, you need to find out where you are in terms of accepting help, and then willingness to go and get it and stick with it all the way through. — A problem I’ve found is the easy exchange between “fear” and “phobia” that people make when there is a difference between the two, scientifically-speaking. The exchange is common, however a distinction must be made so people are not confused. In psychology, a fear is more easily confronted. A fear is something you feel when the cause of that fear shows itself, for example somebody has a fear of balloons – they decline an invitation to a child’s birthday party filled with all kinds of balloons, or they leave the room when someone presents a balloon, but otherwise the person is fine in their daily life. A phobia is much harder to take care of. It is a constant nagging anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and has a damaging effect on your way of life – a person with a phobia of balloons may avoid any kind of party, party shops, festivals, and other celebrations or get-togethers because they MIGHT have balloons around. A person with a phobia of balloons will construct their day around avoiding balloons. In some cases, trying to confront a phobia can do even more damage than not doing anything at all because the phobia is so ingrained inside the person. Leaving a fear alone could make way for it to become worse, while confronting it may prove hard yet possible to heal. Leaving a phobia alone could cause it to become even worse, as well as the constant nightmare of living with it, while confronting it can be detrimental to the person’s psyche.
Alex Vlas says
Thanks for your reply.
Noel says
Thank you so much for this website about phobias.. you are really a mentor.. good job..!!
Pearl says
For years and years, I’d try and describe the very visceral, debilitating reaction I’d get to seeing holes, repeated patterns (especially ones with ‘depth’), or bumps. It starts as a tingle at the base of my skull and radiates outward until my head lulls back and my shoulders scrunch up, and then a muscle in my back begins seizing in a twitch. The tingle gets worse, my jaw clenches and my teeth grind, my eyes flutter and roll back, and I shudder. I get… not queasy or nauseous, but something similar, and while I’m not scared or repulsed, I am definitely avoidant of the image or object that causes the reaction.
Honeycombs, lotus pods, abrasions on the skin, coral, sponges, the undersides of mushroom caps… I get tingly and tense just thinking the words.
I was immensely relieved to find a word for it, and surprised to find others commonly felt the same as me. Everyone in my life has been mildly amused and/or confused by my reactions, and I felt embarrassed for a long time. It’s very validating to see it on this list, especially when there are so many other well-established ‘phobias’ out there already.
Shayne says
I’m not afraid of holes in general but i swear no one understands my fear of the underside of mushroom caps.
llama says
omg same. the fear of holes is trypophobia and as soon as i found out about it, i realized i have it. I hate it!:(
hiati says
What about fear of clowns?
Sophie says
Coulrophobia is the phobia of clowns.
Kirito says
Fear of Girls?
Amelia says
coulrophobia
Kururu32 says
I suffer from social anxiety disorder or an irrational fear of being the center of attention.
Vlascenco Alexandru says
I have the same problem, my friend.
Tabitha Brant says
Same
Kirito says
I wish I had Fear of Germs so that I could be an extreme clean freak.
Megan says
I love being the center of attention but I also have social anxiety
Sam says
I have nyctophobia and arachnophobia, and a tiny bit of aerophobia but not so much anymore.
Hilo says
Yeah I really don’t care but the fear I have is leaves. Just kidding, I just have to read about the fear of holes that’s so weird.
john says
The phobia is usually associated with other fears including Agoraphobia (fear of being unable to escape)
and then …
4. Agoraphobia – The fear of open or crowded spaces
Sorry if I’m missing something but I don’t see the relation between aerophobia and agoraphobia. I do see the relation to Acrophobia though
Regards
Himwho says
Read the part about agoraphobia.. “The individual feels intense panic at the mere thought or sight of such a space (that s/he feels it will be difficult to escape from)”. I believe that explains the relation between those two phobias.
Dekovan Smith says
I am number one I really really hate spiders a lot and I’m a little scared of heights depending how high it is.
Abdul Hanan says
I think ophidiophobia should be ranked first among all zoophobias.
Emma says
I suffer from quite a few of these. Also many others. This article was really good! ;v
Tobias says
It feels to me the minute and nuanced categorizing and cataloging of all these fears is pointless – although entertaining. I suspect the treatment for a lot of these fears, if they should manifest into massive phobias that harm the sufferers or the people around them, is probably the same.
Nevertheless – as a writer this is a great list and very helpful.
Thank you.
jayke says
The minute and nuanced categorization of things helps a person to understand what they are dealing with and where to go from there, so actually in no way is this list or any treatment of a phobia/fear pointless. Your however well intended detached comment doesn’t help. Not to mention the fact that people have a right to try and be happy, healthy, and safe, if you can’t even be safe in your own mind then yes, please do get treatment. By your comment it sounds as if you don’t suffer from any fears or phobias, so clearly this list is not for you. You wouldn’t understand, but you know, you could at least try.
joe coleman says
What is the fear of schedules?
atiyona says
😆 lol
HI says
Scheduleophobia? LOL
Lauren says
Ithinkiwanttoquitmyjobphobia.
Rawr says
Forget the elevator I’m taking the stairs.
xdd says
rawr xd
Jazolyn says
I have Mysophobia – the fear of germs. I always wash my hands, but it’s not so bad I cut off my friends and family.
Exponent says
Good job bro. Keep it up…
Ansari Afiya says
I suffer from Trypophobia, however, my phobia is of moderate intensity and has not affected my life so far.
The pic given above is really very creepy, and once when I saw a similar kind of pic when searching about Trypophobia, I started crying badly and wanted to erase that moment from my life.
Lauren says
I feel bad for you.
Violet says
Same here.
Shelby says
I have ‘Agateophobia’ it’s the fear of insanity, and ‘Nosocomephobia’ the fear of hospitals.
Megan says
It would really suck if I had Agateophobia considering everyone around me knows I’m not completely sane.
Caspian says
I don’t suffer from any of the greatest common phobias, but I am trying to find the roots of the top 5 most common phobias. Tell me any thing you find, it might help in my studies.
Nita says
I think I have Panophobia. It’s more narrowed down than ‘generalized anxiety disorder’ being afraid that something bad is going to happen. A car accident, or losing my job, or I can’t pay bills, or I can’t cope. Anything. I’m afraid of everything. It’s hard going to work. I have had anxiety and depression all my life. I’m 45 now. It got worse at 14 when nursing my dying mother.
Rebecca says
My biggest fear is heights!
Malakas says
Great website. I think that the number of people who suffer from the top 10 phobias is probably higher than the percentages listed. There’s a reason why bars are full at airports. I don’t think it’s because people are there for happy hour. They need to be “medicated”. Ditto for people afraid of elevators, tight spaces (cars) with other people, heights, etc. It’s good to know that there is therapy to cure these disorders.
chawntae says
Hi, I am using your website for my research paper and I was wondering what is your full name and public sponsor?
chawntae says
Thank you
Tobias says
What is a public sponsor?
Kirito says
Something Like government or parliament that sponsors you in some sorts