35 unusual phobias you never knew existed

Phobias are much more than just being afraid of something. Almost all people feel afraid at some point, depending on their exposure to certain things or threatening situations. People with phobias, on the other hand, have a marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation that can lead to clinically significant distress. They can have an impairment in their ability to function in daily life, including socially or at work. Certain phobias are more common than others, including ones related to airplanes, elevators, or spiders; others are less so.

It’s an uncomfortable feeling for everyone, but some people have a phobia involving fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. Some people can handle eating small amounts, but others avoid peanut-based products like peanut butter sauces and ice creams. It can be rooted in a broader phobia, like the fear of sticky textures or choking, or it can occur independently.

Garlic bread could cause a panic attack for someone with an extraordinary fear of garlic. It’s much more than just a dislike of the potent vegetable’s taste – people with alliumphobia might start to shake or feel unable to breathe when around garlic or other pungent plants like onions and chives. For such people, focusing on its health benefits probably won’t help; a compound in garlic may have powerful anti-inflammatory effects, according to a study in a 2015 issue of the Journal of Immunology Research.

Unfortunately, people with this condition are fighting a losing battle: the fear of acquiring a phobia.

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With twisted irony, sesquipedalophobia is the morbid fear of long words.

Proving linguists can be real jerks, this very long word refers to the fear of very long words. If you have it, steer clear of James Joyce, chemistry and telling people what your phobia is called.

Ablutophobia is one of those phobias that can stem from a traumatic past event, and can lead to social isolation.

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With a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, some people can’t stand to have objects at the right side of their body. On the flip side, levophobia is defined by fear of things to the left side of the body.

Many people enjoy stargazing on a clear night, but that’s not true for everyone. People with siderophobia have a fear of stars, and might keep their curtains closed to avoid getting overwhelmed by how vast and uncontrollable the universe is.

For some people, a fear of numbers goes beyond frustrations over solving equations and understanding geometry. People with arithmophobia have an irrational fear of numbers in general.

People with the fear of words function fine in conversation, but when shown written words, they could become breathless, shaky or paranoid. Most people with logophobia don’t know how to read, and they may refuse to try to learn.

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This is one of those unusual phobias that can manifest as dread around money itself, the chance of getting rich, or wealthy people.

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Those with extreme distrust or fear of reason or ideas have ideophobia.

People with the fear of laughter – not to be confused with gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at – might hate chuckling or the sound of others’ giggles if they have one of these unusual phobias. Some just feel slightly uncomfortable, but others could start to hyperventilate.

People with the fear of belly buttons try to avoid touching their own, even in the bath, and might cover their belly buttons with a bandage or avoid going to places full of exposed navels, like the beach.

A rubber duck could be deeply uncomfortable for someone with xanthophobia, the fear of the colour yellow or the word itself.

People with the fear of freedom generally can’t do anything without taking an order from someone else, making them much more inclined to be followers than leaders. They might be scared of the increased responsibilities that come with more freedom.

Whether their own or other people’s tresses, those with chaetophobia have the fear of hair. They might hate running their fingers through their locks, or even be immobilised by a clump of hair on the floor.

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Experts think the fear of the number eight it could be rooted in superstition, with octophobics afraid of the inescapable – flip the number on its side and it looks like an infinity sign. This unusual phobia could translate to fear of the symbol for eight, or objects in groups of eight.

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A perfect circle is not the friend of someone who’s afraid of symmetry. They might think of symmetry as perfection or extreme beauty that they aren’t worthy of being around. People with asymmetriphobia, on the other hand, have the fear of asymmetrical things.

While you look forward to sinking into a comfy chair after a long day, some people experience the fear of sitting down. While phobias can sometimes severely disrupt daily life, there’s something to be said for not sitting for long periods of time. Harvard Medical School experts warn about the dangers of prolonged sitting, stating that “habitual inactivity raises risks for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, deep-vein thrombosis and metabolic syndrome.”

A fancy necklace doesn’t usually impress everyone – especially those with the fear of gold. They could have panic attacks with nausea, sweating, or an irregular heartbeat when they see someone else wearing the metal.

Home might be where the heart is for some, but others have the fear of returning home. These people might have experienced abuse there. Or, they may fear that others will view their return as a failure. Sadly, returning home may truly up negativity and family discord. A study published in a 2018 issue of the journal Social Science & Medicine states that children who return home may alter a parent’s quality of life. This is probably because parents became used to independence after their children left. Therefore, when children enter the picture again, it can upset the dynamic.

Also known as venustraphobia, the fear of beautiful women goes way beyond nervousness or intimidation around someone pretty. Those with a phobia might feel chest pain, get numbness in the extremities, or faint when around a woman they consider attractive.

For nomophobiacs, going without their phone causes extreme anxiety.

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Combining two not uncommon anxieties – the fear of death and the taboo on cannibalism – kinemortohobiacs have a real phobia of the fictional creatures that are generally found only in horror movies (or nightmares).

This is one phobia that can be particularly disruptive: Somniphobia is the fear of sleep. Sleep is associated with many health benefits. For example, the Mayo Clinic notes that lack of sleep increases your risk of developing colds. Even worse, a lack of adequate sleep on a long-term basis is associated with a greater risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

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That toddler sitting on Santa’s lap isn’t freaking out over the stranger hugging her; she may have Pogonophobia, the fear of beards. No wonder TV villains are always stroking theirs.

Neophobiacs feel anxious about new life experiences. For example, a departure from their cereal-eating breakfast routine may be bothersome. Another fearful feeling may involve meeting friends at a different coffee shop instead of the usual corner cafe. New experiences, no matter how large or small, can create serious fear and anxiety.

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If you have metrophobia, your favourite love poem might sound like this: ‘Roses are terrifying. Violets are terrifying. Sugar is terrifying. I hate poems.’ Metrophobia is the fear of poetry.

If you had your way, it would be trousers and maxi skirts for everyone! Genuphobia is the fear of knees.

While most people would prefer to succeed at something rather than fail, people with kakorrhaphiophobia have a sometimes incapacitating fear of failure.

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People with linonophobia have an irrational fear of string.

Anyone with this phobia will want to steer clear of certain bands. However, while the fear of flutes may affect some people, for others, it’s calming. For example, the University of Nevada, Reno, highlights previous research about music’s feel-good power. Specifically, they note that “…stringed-instruments, drums, and flutes are very effective at relaxing the mind even when played moderately loud.”

Ostraconophobia is the fear of shellfish.

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Source: RD.com