Almost everyone feels afraid at some point, depending on their exposure to certain things or threatening situations. Now Phobia is not the same. It is much more than just being afraid of something.
People with phobias have a marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation that can lead to clinically significant distress. This can cause impairment in their ability to function in daily life, including socially or at work.
Certain phobias are more common than others and affect most people but there are some others that will leave you wondering.
If you thought you knew every existing phobias, then think again, as these strange ones have huge effects on people.
Arachibutyrophobia:
Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. These people avoid peanut-based products like peanut butter sauces and ice creams as they fear it could lead to choking.
Venustraphobia:
Fear of beautiful women. Also known as Caligynephobia, the fear of beautiful women goes way beyond nervousness or intimidation around someone pretty. Those with such a phobia might feel chest pain, get numb in the extreme cases, or faint when around a woman they consider attractive.
Siderophobia:
Fear of stars. Many people enjoy stargazing on a clear night, but some dread the very thought of it. People with this kind of phobia keep their curtains closed to avoid getting overwhelmed by how vast and uncontrollable the universe is.
Ablutophobia:
Fear of bathing and cleaning. This is one of those phobias that can stem from a traumatic past event, and can lead to social isolation.
Sesquipedalophobia:
Fear of long words. People with such phobia become sweaty and begins to panic once they encounter long words. This begins in school.
Dextrophobia:
Fear of having objects to your right. People with this phobia are afraid to drive. They become jumpy when an object appears on their right hand side.
Logophobia:
Fear of words, reading or learning how to do something. People with the fear of words function fine during conversation, but when shown written words, they could lose their marbles. Most people with logophobia don’t know how to read, and they may refuse to try to learn. Some kids after much medical examination have been discovered to have such a phobia.
Plutophobia:
Fear of money. This is one of those unusual phobias that can manifest as dread around cash itself or the chance of getting to meet with wealthy people. Very unusual right?
Geliophobia:
Fear of laughter. This should not be confused with gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at. People with the fear of laughter might hate chuckling or the sound of others’. Some just feel slightly uncomfortable, but others could start to hyperventilate.
Philemaphobia:
Fear of kissing. Also known as philematophobia, can be mild to moderate and dissipates quickly as the person gains experience. Sometimes, however, it can be more severe and can occur at any age. People who have such a phobia are afraid of suffocating while some are afraid of oral infection.
Phobias can affect one’s well-being, but it is important to remember that they are treatable. If you believe that you have the symptoms of any or some type of phobia, consult your doctor for further evaluation and treatment advice.
Do you have any phobia you have conquered? Please share your story with us in the comment section.