5 Strange Phobias You Never Knew Existed

 

5 Strange Phobias That Actually Exist

• Arithmophobia
• Eisoptrophobia
• Globophobia
• Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
• Trichophobia

Phobias are defined as extreme, irrational fears or aversions. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) identifies three distinct categories of phobias:

• agoraphobia
• social phobias
• specific phobias
• Agoraphobia is a rare and extreme anxiety disorder. It’s the fear of leaving one’s home or entering a large crowd. Social phobia is also called social anxiety disorder. It’s an extreme fear of interacting with others, often to avoid embarrassment or being judged. Specific phobias are separated into four distinct categories:
• fear of animals
• fear of mutilation/medical treatment
• fear of natural environments
• fear of situations

In general terms, these are defined as intense and irrational fears of harmless objects or situations. They’re the the most common phobia of the three categories. See our ranking of the 30 Best Bachelor’s in Psychology Degrees Online: Small Colleges. Below is a list of five strange phobias, including one social phobia and four specific phobias. They’re so unusual you have likely never heard of them.

1. Arithmophobia

Arithmophobia (also called numerophobia) is the fear of numbers. It’s much more serious than a dislike for mathematics. A type of specific phobia, arithmophobia manifests in two forms:

• a fear of all numbers
• a fear of specific numbers

The generalized fear of all numbers is rarer than its more specific counterpart. It has no direct cause, though researchers link it to traumatic or embarrassing experiences regarding numbers. People with generalized arithmophobia find it difficult to pursue educational and career-related opportunities involving mathematics. Even tipping a waiter may seem daunting to those with arithmophobia. Specific arithmophobia is less trying. It’s directed toward one or a handful of numbers, making it easier to avoid the discomfort those numbers cause. It’s largely tied to religion and superstition and is more widespread than some may believe. A common example of a number that sparks fear in those with arithmophobia is 13. The fear of the number 13 is also its own phobia. It’s called triskaidekaphobia. In Western countries, the 13th floor is often omitted from hotels. The same can be said for the number four. In East Asian cultures, the fourth floor is excluded from most buildings as the word “four” sounds eerily similar to “death” in many Asian languages. The fear of the number four is also referred to as tetraphobia. Physical symptoms of arithmophobia include:

• accelerated heart rate
• chest pain
• dizziness
• nausea
• other feelings associated with panic

While it may seem inconsequential at first glance, arithmophobia is serious and sometimes deadly. There is  a study by the British Medical Journal titled “The Hound of the Baskervilles Effect: A Natural Experiment on the Influence of Psychological Stress on the Timing of Death.” Asian Americans located in California were 27 percent more likely to die of a heart attack on the fourth day of the month than on any other day. For those living with arithmophobia, seeking professional help is highly encouraged. Treatment for the irrational fear of numbers may include anxiolytics (medication that reduces anxiety) and/or psychotherapy.

2. Eisoptrophobia

Eisoptrophobia is a persistent fear of seeing oneself in a mirror or other reflective surface. It’s a specific phobia that causes persistent anxiety in its sufferers. The phobia is primarily rooted in superstition. So those with eisoptrophobia might avoid mirrors for fear of breaking them and being cursed with bad luck (a common Western myth). It also stems from the association of mirrors with the supernatural. One might avoid peering into mirrors for fear of seeing a ghost or other evil presence instead of their own reflection. They also might fear seeing a ghost or presence standing behind them. Although people with eisoptrophobia understand that their fear is unreasonable, they will still avoid mirrors. Or they might experience anxiety while around mirrors. Guilt and shame are occasionally present in those with eisoptrophobia, as well. Low self-esteem or body dysmorphia may cause sufferers to avoid mirrors. They also might experience extreme anxiety when confronted with their own reflections. Mental illness may be the primary cause of eisoptrophobia, as low self-esteem is a common symptom of depression and other mental disorders. However, the sources of eisoptrophobia vary between each case, and not everyone experiences it similarly. Physical symptoms of eisoptrophobia include:

• shortness of breath
• dizziness, nausea
• increased heart rate
• sweating, and more

Adrenaline plays a key role in triggering this fight-or-flight response. It can take a toll on one’s heart under extreme conditions. Some behavioral symptoms include:

• an avoidance of reflective surfaces
• the urge to flee when around mirrors
• dread at the thought of seeing one’s reflection
• embarrassment of the fear itself

This phobia is primarily found in children, though several cases have been reported in adults. It is unclear whether eisoptrophobia is an inherited characteristic or learned behavior. Often, it’s a past traumatic event that instills eisoptrophobia in a person, but this is not always the case. Trauma is the most common cause of specific phobias. Other causes include genetics and learned behavior. Statistically, a child is more likely to develop the same phobia as their parent. However, whether this is the result of innate or learned behavior is unknown. Some researchers believe it is a combination of both.

3. Globophobia

Globophobia is the fear of balloons. Those suffering from globophobia may feel extreme trepidation at the thought of touching or going near a balloon. Often the fear is of the balloon popping. Globophobia typically originates from a fear of the loud noise balloons produce when bursting. In these instances, globophobia is classified as a form of phonophobia, or the fear of loud sounds. Globophobia may also originate from traumatic experiences in a sufferer’s childhood involving balloons. Oftentimes, a fear of balloons begins during childhood and the person grows out of it. However, some people maintain their globophobia well into adulthood. While the sufferer’s fears are recognizably irrational, they can trigger real anxiety. Symptoms of globophobia may include:

• dizziness
• heart palpitations
• panic attacks
• perspiration, among other things

Those with globophobia may also avoid social events where balloons are used as decorations. There are many options for the treatment of globophobia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one. Exposure therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy have been proven to be effective courses of treatment, as well as anti-anxiety medication. CBT is often tried before any other treatment. However,  it depends on the patient and what their psychotherapist believes to be the best option for them. CBT is used to change the sufferer’s beliefs regarding the object of their fears, in this case balloons. CBT is a way to try  to control their emotional response. Alternatively, exposure therapy will include learning relaxation techniques or a systematic desensitization to balloons. It’s performed and guided by a mental health professional in a safe environment.

4. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

At thirty-six letters, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is one of the longest words in the English language. Let’s break the word down into its four components. Many etymologists believe “hippopoto” was included in the word as a joke simply to lengthen it, or as a reference to hippopotamuses’ hugeness. It’s second component, “monstro,” can be translated to “monstrous.” The root of the term “sesquippedalio” is the Latin word sesquipedalis, translated as “a foot and a half long.”  Phobia is defined as an irrational fear. Combining all components, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is defined as the irrational fear of monstrously long words, an ironic and arguably cruel joke targeted toward its sufferers. Unlike the others included on this list of strange phobias, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (also called sesquipedalophobia) is categorized as a social phobia. It is is not recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). In a specific situation, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can refer to extreme social anxiety when reading or mispronouncing long words in a public setting. It could also be associated with learning disorders such as dyslexia, which make reading more difficult. Thus it is more likely to induce stress. Like most other social phobias, hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia can cause reclusiveness in its most avid sufferers. It often leads to extreme avoidance of and fear of certain necessary social interactions. Those with hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia are encouraged to seek professional assistance in order to live socially with more comfort and ease. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia may be caused by:

• environmental factors
• genetics
• a traumatic event involving long words

Little is known regarding the treatment and specific causes of hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. However, many phobias can be treated through psychotherapy and/or prescribed medication for anxiety. The same courses of treatment can be applied to the irrational fear of long words. Beta-adrenergic blocking agents (also known as beta blockers) might also be used for treatment. Traditionally used as blood pressure medication, beta blockers stop the effects of adrenaline. This causes one’s heart to beat at a slow and steady rate. Beta blockers reduce the intensity of anxiety symptoms such as:

• rapid heartbeat
• perspiration
• chest pain

This allows those suffering from phobias to confront their fears with less uneasiness.

5. Trichophobia

The term trichophobia is sometimes called chaetophobia. It comes from the Greek words trichos (hair) and phobia (fear). An individual suffering from trichophobia has an irrational fear of or aversion toward hair. More specifically, trichophobia is the fear of loose hairs, whether it is the sufferer’s own hair or others’. Occasionally, this phobia can include a general fear of hair, even it’s still attached to one’s body. However, it’s primarily associated with hair that has been detached from the head or elsewhere. It can also include animal hair. While trichophobia is not recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is labeled as a specific phobia and has no single known origin. There are many factors that may play a role in fostering the fear of hair in an individual. In some instances, trichophobia could stem from the fear of germs or contamination. This may mean it’s a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For a person with OCD, a common trigger might be the sight of something dirty. Loose hair is often considered dirty. Hair loss is another reason one might develop trichophobia. The sight of loose hair on one’s clothing might trigger a fear of hair for those afraid of going bald. However, this is more closely related to trichopathophobia, or the fear of developing a hair disease. This includes  balding or scalp-related issues. While trichopathophobia and trichophobia are considered two separate phobias, they may accompany each other in some cases. As is true for all specific phobias, psychotherapy is considered the best option for treating trichophobia. Talking one’s way out of the fear or aversion is often encouraged by mental health professionals. Depending on how persistent and/or pervasive the case is, a doctor might prescribe their trichophobic patient anti-anxiety medications. However, this typically occurs after or along with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy might include the use of:

• cognitive behavioral therapy
• exposure therapy
• a mixture of both

It depends on the mental health professional’s expertise and the specific patient’s needs. Hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques are carried out and taught by professionals. These have also been used in the treatment of trichophobia.

Phobias Must Not Be Ignored

The fears on this list of five strange phobias are extremely rare. They sound absurd to some. But they cause real, and sometimes debilitating struggles for their sufferers. For those suffering from phobias, professional assistance is recommended. It will help a person lead a more manageable life. Oftentimes, assistance will come in the form of proven treatments for phobias:

• psychotherapy
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• exposure therapy

The symptoms of phobias mimic those of anxiety disorders:

• trembling
• sweating
• dilated pupils
• an inability to catch one’s breath

These are common physical symptoms of both anxiety disorders and phobias. Additionally, avoidance behavior is often exhibited by suffers of phobias. For example, those with trichophobia (the fear of hair) might avoid entering hair salons or getting haircuts for risk of triggering their phobia. Do  you think you’re suffering from a phobia? Is someone you know exhibiting the symptoms described above? Consulting a mental health professional for assistance is highly recommended. This is especially needed if the phobia is interfering with everyday life.

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This concludes our article on the five strange phobias you never knew existed.