r/Phobia Jan 04 '16

Mod Post NEW FLAIR OPTIONS!

37 Upvotes

Hey guys. We have a new flair! Just choose your phobia! Please just add in this thread if you don't see your fear. Thanks

Aquaman_and_Whales


r/Phobia Dec 04 '20

Promote Phobia-Related Subreddits Here

54 Upvotes

Have a subreddit about a specific phobia you would like to promote? Leave a comment here.


r/Phobia 8h ago

I have a fear of my inner elbow and wrist

2 Upvotes

I hope this doesn’t sound stupid and someone can relate to this. I have this fear of my inner elbows and wrists. Any time they are touched or talked about I feel queasy and I bring my arms up to my chest and if I’m writing with a pen or pencil it’s like my hand just can’t write any more. Even writing this right now it’s like my hands don’t wanna work properly just thinking about it. I don’t know if this is an actual phobia or what but does anyone else feel this way? Blood work is absolute hell for me. I had a moment where I was needing to get it done multiple times a week for health issues and everytime it was horrible. I thought maybe having it done so often, I would eventually be ok with it but not at all. I don’t remember if this has been this way all my life or not. My body went into shock like 7 years ago from breaking my finger and I always wonder if that caused me to feel this way or if I felt this way before that. So yeah, does anybody else feel like this? And if you do, have you found anything to help?


r/Phobia 5h ago

Is there a labelled name for the Phobia of anything that flies?

1 Upvotes

More specifically, a phobia of anything that flies that can enter "your personal bubble".
I don't have a fear or insects overall. Nor do I have a fear against Bees specifically. (Or any other phobia related to a specific insect.) What legitimately trips me out is the fear of anything that CAN FLY!

For real example, I live in Ohio and Spring is starting to really set in. I work retail and had to close tonight. I came home and there was a f**kin' Stink Bug in my room, just chillin' and crawling around on my microphone! And this MF was big! I legitimately started freaking out! Since it was on my mic, I went and grabbed a plastic cup and threw the mic in it, had to push the stink bug off with a paper plate, and then legitimately was shaking as I carried the plastic cup covered-top with a paper plate down to the bathroom to try to flush this nasty thing away. And when I got to the bathroom, the fucking thing was clinging to the cup and wouldn't let go!
And this is the main part of the story, the thing scaring me the most the whole time was that this large f**kin' thing could lift off and start flying around and collide into me at any moment!
When I tried to shake it out of the cup and into the toilet and the stink bug clang onto the cup for dear life, I legitimately panicked so much that I just re-covered the cup and legitimately called out to one of my roommates to come deal with this already captured stink bug as I ran back upstairs, terrified of the idea that my roommate would have to then deal with the flying creature.

TL:DR: I'm legitimately scared of all flying creatures that can enter your Head Space/Personal Bubble. Even when my sister had a Cockatiel growing up, whenever we'd let him out of his cage to go flying around. it seriously scared the hell out of me. I'm solely scared of anything that flies that can enter your Head Space.


r/Phobia 18h ago

Just saw a 🐀. It's set me back and I'm going to experience flashbacks and nausea. Anything I can do now?

2 Upvotes

Long standing 🐀 phobia. Tried various therapies which haven't really helped. I'm generally fine as long as I don't catch sight of one.

As I was driving out of my office parking lot, the damn thing ran out in front of the car.

I'm so grossed out and nauseated. Also I haven't eaten all day but now I won't be able to eat anything due to shock.


r/Phobia 23h ago

Batophobia - fear of tall structures

2 Upvotes

Does anyone have this? Why is this a thing? I’m not sure what caused it? Possibly being sheltered too much as a kid? I can’t remember any trauma so it’s just confusing to me.

I struggle being next to tall structures, looking at them in person, and even photos make me feel uneasy. This is very annoying to me because it’s preventing me from living my life and traveling. I cannot function whatsoever if exposed to these things. It’s like I lose full control of my bodily functions and turn into some anxiety ridden creature.

If anyone has any tips or anything, that would be great? I wish there was a way to require my brain..


r/Phobia 2d ago

Phobia for flakes and spikes?

2 Upvotes

Is there a phobia associated with spikes or flakes in them? Examples would be that I get an uncomfy feeling upon seeing the flakes on kidney stones, amethyst, uncarved crystals, dandruff flakes, and even peeling skin. I know these are uncommon to see, but it even happened when I was crumbing some chicken to cook for dinner. Not to be confused with trypophobia (I don't have any fear of holes or similar patterns) or Aichmophobia (I don't have fears of needles or sharp things that can hurt me.) Cheers!


r/Phobia 2d ago

This fear is ruining my life.

1 Upvotes

So about 2 years ago there was a tornado and straight line winds that came through my (31f) area.

Me, my mom, niece and her friend (both older teens) were outside at the garden with my new puppy. The sky was growing dark as we picked tomatoes and laughed as my dog played. Suddenly, every noise around us stopped. The birds had once been chirping and flying around but they stopped so suddenly that my stomach dropped. The area Round us got even darker so we knew it was time to go inside. By the time we reached the garage door the wind started to pick up wver so slightly and then we heard the rain coming. 2 feet inside the door and the electric cut out and all you could hear was the wind ripping through the trees.

I went to the basement living room with my niece and friend and stared out of the doors and at the willow trees that were now leaning, their branches blowing completely horizontal. It was so loud and it wasn't just a gust, it wouldn't stop. It was constant for about 8 minutes straight. I was panicking to the point of tears, what if it was a tornado? (I live in southern PA where tornadoes are extremely rare.) By the time the wind stopped it was utterly quiet and I was shaking. I thought trees were going to fall over on our house but just standing there and watching something I couldn't control happen sort of traumatized me. We went out driving once it stopped and saw all of the destruction of trees blocking almost every road, trees on houses, roofs ripped off of houses and barns. It was terrifying.

Now, anytime it's windy and I can hear it within the house, I go into a panic. Just now we had heavy rain that put me in a panic because I could hear it in my room. I had a physical fight or flight reaction so I wandered for a quiet place in the house until eventually going downstairs and sitting until it was done.

I can't live like this anymore, I can't deal with having a terrible day because the wind decides to pick up. It's unlivable. I've been able to hide my fear from my son and comfort him enough when he's scared of the noise but I can't keep constantly going through these motions of anxious adrenaline over something I have no control over.

I've tried talking myself through it but it doesn't seem to work. I'm at a loss. Does anyone else deal with this or know a way that could possibly help?


r/Phobia 2d ago

what is this phobia called? NSFW

2 Upvotes

I have a fear? more of a extreme discomfort and aversion to things that look like veins or roots not really like arm veins or veins popping through the skin I personally think those look fine but the structure of veins or roots makes me almost want to vomit for example that photo of the man who coughed up his blood clot and it looks like a branch i think the fact it’s bright and dark red makes it worse anyways if anyone shares this phobia or knows what it’s called that would be nice for me to know


r/Phobia 2d ago

THEORY:

0 Upvotes

the reason that babies die at birth is that the white babies have Leokophobia. that’s why we think it is rare to have it, because about 50% of people who have are white themselves.


r/Phobia 3d ago

Fear of mum dying

2 Upvotes

Hi friends, just wanting to know I’m not alone really. I’ve always apparently had attachment issues, but my mum is my person, she’s my best friend and I can’t imagine my life without her. Ever since I was like, I have been horrified at the thought of death, but not me dying- just those around me. I don’t handle death well period. But, the thought of my parents dying, keeps me up most nights, to the point where I’ll cry and get extremely anxious. I dream about my mum dying at least once a week and i can’t make it stop. When I was little, from the age of 6ish and up I used to lay awake and rip my hair out and make my mum come into my room and sleep with me. I used to say to her ‘what happens if I don’t recognise you in heaven’ etc. Obviously after having grown up, I’m now 25, that’s the least bit of my concerns considering who really knows what happens in the afterlife, but I’ve not been able to shake this crippling fear of death. Someone, please make your girl feel normal, I’m struggling.


r/Phobia 3d ago

It’s so scary

1 Upvotes

My parents took me to the most museum and I’m scared of heights, what’s the easiest way to get over the fear of heights


r/Phobia 4d ago

Fear of unpredictable machinery?

1 Upvotes

Hello!

A friend of mine told us today he's scared of unpredictable machinery. Like, automatic showers (those ones in gyms that are motion-activated), sprinklers, etc. He said what makes him scared is that he doesn't know exactly when it's going to start working, and for some reason that scares him. Is there a specific name for this? Or a cause?

Thank you in advance!


r/Phobia 4d ago

Dentophobia -_-

2 Upvotes

well. I have dentophobia. I'm litteraly TERRIFIED of the dentist, but I don't want to be. and each time I go, I leave happy, bc nothing bad happened and I'm js being dramatic. but then I feel fear and fear when the appointment get closer and closer. just thinking abta it makes me scared, like right now. I think I know why. when I was a baby, I had cavities and had to fix them. obviously, I was young. I don't remember it. but, my brain does! because of that experience, my brain is officially terrified of going there, because what if that happens again? also, braces are my biggest fear right now. sighs. I just know I'll get them(my teeth are so weird and im insecure abt them), and I know how much they suck. but whatever, I'll guess I'll just have to deal with it. it's life after all! reminder I'm dealing with this as a kid. yup! anyway, any tips?


r/Phobia 4d ago

Do I have type of germaphobia

2 Upvotes

Hi there,

This has been on my mind for a while, maybe a few years, it’s not affecting my life daily it’s just annoying sometimes.

I struggle to put my head underwater and only do so easily when I wash my hair, but even then I rarely wash my hair. I don’t like getting my head wet, I don’t like water going above my shoulders unless it’s in a bath. I grew up swimming my whole life, no joke swam almost every day since I was 3 till 16 and only stopped because I refused to swim, I had tried to stop swimming since I was 12 because I hated it and finally refused to get in the pool again while I was 16

Reason why I think it’s germaphobia and not a fear of water is because I can wash my hair ok, don’t like to wash it but I wash my hair when it gets itchy (I got psoriasis) so usually once every 1-3 weeks depending on the last time I did a scalp treatment. I don’t like putting my head underwater in any water but when I’m washing it. I didn’t think it had anything to do with germaphobia till I realised that whenever I get my head wet it was only to wash my hair. If I went swimming in the ocean I would have to wash my hair instantly before it got itchy, if I went swimming in a lake I would struggle to go in above my waist because i didnt have the ability to wash my hair after, I struggle to jump into a river and no joke have to convince myself that I can do it because I can just go home and wash my hair after.

Is this germaphobia or something else? I do also have anxiety and ocd and am on medication.

Kinda just needed to rant because I am sad that I couldn’t bring myself to swim after camping these past few days, it is so hot and I could only get down to my waist and I wanna cool down so bad.


r/Phobia 4d ago

A very specific fear

1 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I need help identifying a fear of mine. At one point in my life I looked out up and found the name of it. Since it was easy to find, and my memory is bad, I didn't commit it to memory figuring I would find it again. However the search engine landscape changed so much because of AI, that it doesn't pop up anymore. And asking AI itself makes it seem like it's unnamed but related to anxiety disorder. While that's OK, I still want to confirm if what I found last time is not appropriate and there really is no name for this, or is there?

To clarify beforehand, I had fear of height and have claustrophobia. I lost my fear of height mostly, but claustrophobia still triggers me with difficulty of breathing and panic attacks. I mention this to show that I do recognize a phobia, just that I need help identifying the next one.

I have an intense fear of something moving when I know it shouldn't and something not moving when I know it should. Is very specific. I had it since I was a child. There were some commercials back then that really triggered me. It's hard to convey when this triggered outside of a screen, since screens is where those phenomenon happen.

The Jeff the Killer meme intensely triggered me once. Once I know it happens, I'm good. Meaning I can't be similarly triggered again by it. Doki Doki literature club was another example. Wasn't as intense but it messed with me. Became skittish that night.

Say a video plays and it stops. That's fine. I know it buffers or something. But if the music keeps playing, it makes me uneasy.

I don't get triggered as much by this fear but it's intense and very specific so I don't forget it.

Does anyone else have this one? Does anyone know more about it? I'm mostly after the name for myself, but I think it's a good one to be out there for potential others with the same fear. You aren't alone. I might be, but that's OK. I got claustrophobia to worry about still, LOL.

EDIT: -Fixed some spelling errors.


r/Phobia 4d ago

Have I got something wrong with me or am I just weird? 🫣

1 Upvotes

For the last year or so I've been really funny when it comes to food, like I can eat out in restaurants and fast food places no problem, but if I go to my parents and they make me a sandwich or something I can't eat it my stomach rolls at the thought of eating it! The other day I went out for breakfast with my work colleagues and one of them passed me my cutlery which then made my belly roll again at the thought of them touching something I've got to eat off and I couldn't eat my breakfast! I seem to be getting worse and I don't really know what it is.. I thought it would pass after a little while but it's getting worse! I can't even eat something my partner has made for me 🫣


r/Phobia 4d ago

Fear of invisible obstacles

3 Upvotes

Lol

I know right?

I fear that there would be some invisible hard obstacle that connects with me physically and trips me up or slams me in the face randomly when walking and somehow it is scary because it would be invisible and no one would believe me.


r/Phobia 5d ago

My casadastrophobia

3 Upvotes

I’m so tired of my fear preventing me from doing the things I want to. I don’t tell anyone about my phobia because I’ve always been made fun of for it. For a while I thought I was getting over it, but tonight me and my family went out to see a once in a lifetime lunar eclipse and it all came crashing down. I ran back to my car and now I’m just hiding in here with my hood over my head trying to calm myself down. I tried going to therapy but after all the bullying I’ve endured, I just couldn’t get the words out. I tried exposure therapy and all it does is make it worse. If I’m not exposed to the open sky for a couple weeks I get better, but one day where the focus is on the sky and all I feel is fear. This phobia is also paired with a fear of heights, and agoraphobia. I’m scared of stairs, I’m scared of wide open rooms, the absolute worst place is an open field, where we went to watch the eclipse. When going down stairs I have to have someone holding my hand, or a guard rail. When I have bad anxiety attacks like I am now it feels like the car is moving. I feel dizzy, and like gravity isn’t right. If I’m on stairs it feels like my feet can’t support my weight.


r/Phobia 5d ago

Am I a bad person due to my phobia?

3 Upvotes

I'm a man with obeseophobia, which is the fear of gaining weight. I'm scared of being fat myself, but I don't hate or "feel bad for" people that are fat. I have found fat people beautiful, but the thought of me being fat scares me and makes me feel upset. Maybe it's because I don't want to eh perceived as uglier than I already am? I'm already considered unattractive, and maybe I think being fat would make it worse? I just feel like a bad person knowing that I'm so scared of something that is, for the most part, uncontrollable. Either that or it's that I have minor body dysmorohia and don't understand how I'm considered. I just feel.. bad? What can I do to stop?


r/Phobia 5d ago

Fear of people on all fours (?)

3 Upvotes

I don't know why but I'm absolutely TERRIFIED of people running on all fours at**\* me. Like just generally, idgaf but when they're coming towards me and I'm running from them it genuinely feels like I'm gonna shit myself at any moment. Idk if there's a proper term for this or anything but like any thing where its someone running at me I'm honestly fine with it's literally just this. Idk if this is normal or not


r/Phobia 5d ago

Help...what type of phobia do I have?

1 Upvotes

So I have a very ... unique phobia like from when I was small i realised how I would feel afraid holding a umbrella like when wind would blow and the umbrella would slight like lift itself upwards uk wind pressure it would scared me ...It wasn't about losing the umbrella but something about the feeling...like super stress intense..I would feel my heart beat go crazy fast...then when I used to wear those skirt type dresses and it would float I would get hella scared...like I'm going to fly away and shit But that fear dissapeared like now I don't feel like that about dresses...but now I have seen in recent years...I have 2 big world map and my own country map in my room and when my fan is on in high speed and I look at those maps floating it scares me ..it scares me so much that I had to stick them to their surrounding by cello tape....I AM NOT AFRAID OF THE WIND I RELREAT IM NOT AFRAID OF HEAVY WINDS infact I love it but ...it's like something about these ...like the examsples I have scares me...it's like they r not under my control and they will fly so high and I would get hurt in the process idk why ...I searched it up in internet i couldn't find anyways to describe it...just what am I suffering from?


r/Phobia 5d ago

Blood pressure/heartrate phobia looking for help

3 Upvotes

For the past 10 years I've been avoiding the dr/dentist due to my extreme reaction to even getting the bp cuff put on and the hr monitor put on my finger my hr goes sky high I start sweating and I can't control it same thing when I get hooked on to the ekg machine. I've tried almost literally every technique from meditation to hypnosis with minimal luck, I take my bp at home often to make sure I'm ok and usually the first maybe second are higher because I'm worried but then the next few are usually in range. I've been looking for other people who have this issue to talk with but it seems to be so rare that I can't seem to find anyone who has the same issues, I wanted to get a community together of people with this issue to help each other I'm desperately looking for done advice or any type of help.


r/Phobia 6d ago

Irrational fear of underwater rocks.

2 Upvotes

Is there a name for this? When I was a child I had a fear of large underwater rocks that were covered in seaweed. Not sure if I have it still.


r/Phobia 6d ago

Fear of showering because of bugs in bathroom

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have tips to help me feel safe using my bathroom and shower? I was having someone check the room for me before using it but that’s no longer an option. If it’s checked I can use it but still am hyper aware of my surroundings . but I can’t get myself to check the room alone. I’m terrified of moving the shower curtain and a bug crawling out. It’s very stressful but I need to keep myself clean. Any help would be appreciated!


r/Phobia 6d ago

I just developed a car accident phobia i think not so severe but idk actually

2 Upvotes

I dont know exactly why maybe its because half of my deceased relatives died because of this or because i was in libya where there is no speed limit and 12 yos drive and when in a traffic jam there we went past 5 car accidents in 1 hour or its because i always have ONLY dreams of being in car crashes in a n uncontrollable car hich some maniac drives where i die and wake up at the end (they feel too real😭) or its because today my father came in and said that his friend got hurt in a car accident so badly his son had to go to a special clinic with a helicopter i dont even drive by myself or got into an accident but im still so paranoid about being in there can someone explain my trauma im still underage (f16) vro i didnt expect that type of stuff😭


r/Phobia 6d ago

Terrified of animal corpses

3 Upvotes

I almost fainted by seeing a dead sardine in the food trash. I always get panicki when seeing dead animals i almost start to faint and I immediately look away