I recently wanted to learn more about phobias, so I decided to make a short list of the ones I found the most interesting or weird. Hope you find these interesting, too. 🙂
A phobia is an irrational fear of something that’s unlikely to cause any harm. The word originates from the Greek word phobos, which means fear or horror. Phobias are estimated to affect more than 30 percent of U.S. adults at some time in their lives.
Onomatophobia
Onomatophobia is the fear of certain words or names. This fear is usually caused by a traumatic experience that has been associated with that particular word.
Hypnophobia
Hypnophobia is the fear of going to sleep. It can be caused by sleep disturbances like nightmares and late work. The pattern of symptoms experienced can vary from feeling anxious to severe panic attacks when attempting to sleep.
Pogonophobia
Pogonophobia is the fear of beards. People who have this phobia, believe that bearded men are unhygienic or not do not have access to materials for cleaning and shaving. Symptoms of this phobia include trembling, irregular heartbeat and breathing or even panic attack.
Ecophobia
Ecophobia is the fear of returning home. Returning home can be perceived as a failure to succeed away from home. This fear can also be caused by family violence. Ecophobia is often experienced by people who were injured while serving in the military.
Phobophobia
Phobophobia is the fear of fears or phobias. People with this phobia are afraid of developing a phobia, which ultimately results in escalating circular fears. The most common symptoms are thoughts about death or dying, anxiety and panic attacks.
Octophobia
Octophobia is the fear of the number eight. The fear is due to the looping figure of the number itself, as well as superstition. If the person with this phobia gazes at that number, he may start to panic.
Genuphobia
Genuphobia is the fear of knees and kneeling. This fear can be caused by getting the knee injured. people with this phobia would try to keep their knees covered at all times.
Cacophobia
Cacophobia is the fear of ugliness and things that are ugly. The symptoms typically include extreme anxiety, dread and anything associated with panic such as shortness of breath.
Androphobia
Androphobia is the fear of men. It is usually caused by traumatic experiences, often involving violence. When seeing men, androphobic people might get sweaty, and feel panic, while worrying about the worst thing that might happen to them.
Papyrophobia
Papyrophobia is the fear of any form of paper. The intensity of fear depends on the size of the paper. Symptoms include sweating, fast heartbeat, panic attacks, screaming or crying.
