11 Weird Phobias You Probably Didn’t Know About

Everyone is afraid of something. Fear is an instant and normal reaction when we think we think that our lives are threatened or in danger. Being scared can be traced to your childhood experiences. You may have been through a tragic car accident which is why you’re afraid of speeding vehicles, or drowning in a pool that’s why you don’t like swimming.

People who develop phobias seek medical help so that they are able to cure themselves of their fears. Now, scientists are doing research work on understanding fears to help overcome them in the future. It takes a lot of time to conquer fears but if you let it overcome you, it would be hard to get even the most trivial things done. Below are some of the unusual phobias you probably didn’t know existed:

11. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia or sesquipedaliophobia

This is, ironically, the fear of long words. The good news is that no person is born with this type of phobia. It can only be acquired from an unpleasant experience in the past.

10. Chrometophobia or chremetophobia

In layman’s terms is the fear of money. Now why anyone would fear this essential commodity is beyond us. People who have this phobia suffer from anxiety attacks when receiving or giving money. Even just the sight of money makes them panic.

9. Chaetophobia

Fear of hair is another mind-boggling phobia. Sometimes, people who suffer from this phobia are even scared of the hair that is attached to their own bodies.

8. Domatophobia

People who are domatophobic are scared of being in their homes. Some experience palpitations and panic attacks.

7. Electrohphobia

People who suffer from electrophibia feel discomfort from the use of appliances. The thought of being struck by lightning gives them a panic attack.

6. Anthropophobia

Anthrophobes are afraid of people. They fear being judged by others and may suffer from anticipatory anxiety.

5. Ergophobia

Ergophobes are people who are afraid of work. Since having a job is essential to a person’s life, those who suffer from this phobia seek help from a therapist so they don’t go through problems at work.

4. Catoptrophobia

People who are afraid of seeing their own reflection in mirrors, or simply looking at mirrors suffer from catoptrophobia.

3. Hypegiaphobia or Hypengyophobia

People who suffer from this phobia can be considered as irresponsible. Hypegiaphobes fear responsibilities. This could be because they were not allowed to handle responsibilities while they were younger.

2. Neophobia

Those who go through neophobia are people who are afraid to try new things. There is an extreme and irrational fear of trying something new from their usual routine.

1. Zoophobia

Common among children, zoophobia is fear of specific animals. Some cannot even stand the thought of certain animals as it gives them palpitations.

How about you? What are you most afraid of?