The term “phobia” refers to overwhelming and debilitating fear of a certain object, situation, place etc. It’s a psychological condition and kind of anxiety disorder. Whenever the person comes in contact with the source of phobia, it triggers fear, anxiety and panic attacks. Phobias are quite common but not everyone has it. Here are some mind-blowing and surprising facts about phobias you probably didn’t known before.
Also Read: Facts about nightmares
What is a phobia in psychology?
As per the American psychiatric Association, fear is natural and usual response to perceived and real danger. Phobia is excessive and irrational fear to a danger, thing, situation, place etc. People may have different phobic reactions. Phobias affect people of all ages. According to the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education (APIRE), about 7.8% of American adults have phobias in any given year. Phobias are categorized into two kinds; specific or simple phobias and complex phobias.
Top 9 mind-blowing and interesting facts about phobias!
1. Phobia and fear are two different things!
You should not confuse phobia with fear. For instance, if someone is standing at extreme height, it’s natural to be afraid. However, if someone has Acrophobia – fear of heights, his/her reaction is not something normal. Phobia is overwhelming fear, anxiety and panic attacks. If the person has this phobia, he/she will do literally anything to avoid this situation. And if by chance, he is stuck in such situation, the reaction will be overwhelming and debilitating.2. Adults are more likely to have Complex phobias!
Complex phobias are more common in adults. These are often associated with a deep-rooted fear or past trauma. Most common kinds of complex phobias are: Agoraphobia – the fear of being in a place or situation from where you wouldn’t be able to escape Social phobia – commonly known as social anxiety disorder; in which the person feels anxious in social situations3. Phobias are linked to genetics!
Usually, a phobia is because of past trauma or particular stressful incident. However, that’s not the only reasons. Surprisingly, genetics play significant role in the development of phobia. Another surprising fact about phobia! You may “learn” certain kind of phobia from a parent or sibling.
4. There are more than 400 types of phobias!
You may be familiar with a few of common phobias. To my surprise, there are more than 400 known types of phobias. However, some are more prevalent than others.5. Some most common types of phobias!
Most common kinds of Phobias are:- Acrophobia – fear of heights
- Aviophobia – fear of flying
- Claustrophobia – fear of closed spaces
- Arachnophobia – fear of spiders
- Ophidiophobia - fear of snakes
- Cynophobia - fear of dogs
- Trypanophobia – fear of needles
- Mysophobia – fear of germs
6. There are phobias that didn’t exist before!
Another of interesting facts about phobias! There are phobias that originated recent. For instance, nomophobia – the fear of not having your mobile phone on you. Of course, nobody had this phobia before the invention of mobile phones. Study shows that people of age below 30, tend to check their phones at least once every 10 minutes (about 96 times a day). Therefore, when you are this much indulged in your smart phone, it’s obvious to have phobia of not having your phone.7. Some weird types of phobias!
- Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia – the phobia of long words. Even reading this 15 syllabus long word is difficult. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia is one of the weirdest kinds of phobia, in which the person feel anxious when it comes to read long words.
- Anatidaephobia – the consistent fear that a duck is watching you whatever you are doing
- Turophobia – the fear of cheese
- Caligynephobia – the fear of beautiful women
- Phobophobia – the phobia of having a phobia
- Cibophobia – fear of food and drinks! Absolutely weird!
Also Read: Facts about nightmares
8. And there are some Culture-Specific Phobias!
Some kinds of phobias are more prevalent in some particular culture. Types of culture-specific phobias are: Ataque de Nervios – fear of certain threatening situations. It is common in Hispanic people, particularly Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. Its symptoms are similar to panic attacks. Taijin kyofusho – the fear of one’s appearance, physical body, or actions offending others. It’s more common in Japanese and Koreans.9. Some rarest and shocking phobias you probably never heard before!
Eisoptrophobia – the fear of mirrors
The person suffering from this phobia is afraid of looking into mirror. This might be the result of childhood traumatic event or due to the superstitions tied to mirrors.Globophobia – the Fear of balloons
Children typically love balloons. However, if someone had a disturbing childhood memory about or related to balloons, he/she may have globophobia. Consequently, such person tries to avoid balloons.Arithmophobia - Fear of mathematics
Many of us despise math. However, Arithmophobia is exaggerated fear or being forced into a situation where he has to do solve mathematical problems.
Chaetophobia - Fear of hair
Chaetophobia is another of weirdest phobias. The person having this phobia often avoids touching their hair or other people doing so. They may panic if they see a clump of hair on floor.Geliophobia - Fear of laughter
The severity of Geliophobia varies in different people. People having this phobia, sometimes get uncomfortable and hyperventilate, when they see other people chuckling or giggling. This is probably having a previous embarrassing experience. For instance, when someone laughed at an inappropriate time or occasion.Plutophobia – the fear of getting rich
Yes, people may be afraid of money and getting rich. The very thought of becoming rich makes them anxious. Most probably, they are afraid of having to deal with money as well as the pressures and responsibilities that come with money.Siderophobia – the Fear of stars
While most of us are fascinated by the starry sky at night, some people may be afraid of it. Though it’s one of the rarest phobias, but Siderophobia is real. Such people may feel nauseous, have an increased heart rate, and suffer panic attacks when they see the vast starry sky at night.