List of Phobias – 1
Phobias starting with letters A, B
| Phobia | Definition |
| Acarophobia | fear of itching or of insects causing itching |
| Acrophobia | fear of heights |
| Aerophobia | fear of flying or draughts |
| Agoraphobia | fear of open spaces |
| Agyiophobia | fear of crossing busy streets |
| Aichmophobia | fear of sharp or pointed objects |
| Ailurophobia | fear of cats |
| Algophobia | fear of pain |
| Amathophobia | fear of dust |
| Amaxophobia | fear of riding in a car |
| Ambulophobia | fear of walking |
| Anglophobia | fear of England or the English |
| Anthrophobia | fear of humans |
| Anuptaphobia | fear of staying single |
| Aquaphobia | fear of water |
| Arachibutyrophobia | fear of peanut butter sticking to roof of mouth |
| Arachnophobia | fear of spiders |
| Astraphobia | fear of being struck by lightning |
| Astrapophobia | fear of thunder and lightning |
| Automysophobia | fear of being dirty |
| Autophobia | fear of solitude |
| Ballistophobia | fear of missiles |
| Bathophobia | fear of falling from a high place |
| Batophobia | fear of heights or being close to tall buildings |
| Batrachophobia | fear of frogs and toads |
| Belonephobia | fear of pins and needles |
| Bibliophobia | fear of books |
| Blennophobia | fear of slime |
| Brontophobia | fear of thunder and lightning |
List of Phobias
Phobias starting with letters from C-F
| Phobia | Definition |
| Cancerophobia | fear of cancer |
| Cathisophobia | fear of sitting |
| Cenophobia | fear of empty spaces |
| Chrematophobia | fear of money |
| Cibophobia | fear of or distaste for food |
| Claustrophobia | fear of closed spaces |
| Climacophobia | fear of falling down stairs |
| Clinophobia | fear of staying in bed |
| Cremnophobia | fear of cliffs and precipices |
| Cyberphobia | fear of computers |
| Cynophobia | fear of dogs |
| Dromophobia | fear of crossing streets |
| Dysmorphophobia | fear of physical deformities |
| Ecophobia | fear of home |
| Eleutherophobia | fear of freedom |
| Eosophobia | fear of dawn |
| Ergasiophobia | fear of work |
| Ergophobia | fear of work |
| Erotophobia | fear of sex |
| Erythrophobia | fear of red lights or of blushing |
| Euphobia | fear of good news |
| Francophobia | fear of France or the French |
List of Phobias
Phobias starting with letters from G-L
| Phobia | Definition |
| Gallophobia | fear of France or the French |
| Gamophobia | fear of marriage |
| Geniophobia | fear of chins |
| Genophobia | fear of sex |
| Gerascophobia | fear of growing old |
| Graphophobia | fear of writing |
| Gymnophobia | fear of nudity |
| Heliophobia | fear of sunlight |
| Herpetophobia | fear of snakes |
| Hierophobia | fear of sacred things |
| Homichlophobia | fear of fog |
| Homophobia | fear of homosexuals |
| Hydrophobia | fear of water |
| Hypsophobia | fear of high places |
| Iatrophobia | fear of going to the doctor |
| Iconophobia | fear or hatred of images |
| Kainotophobia | fear of change |
| Kakorrhaphiophobia | fear of failure |
| Kenophobia | fear of empty spaces |
| Ligyrophobia | fear of loud noises |
| Linonophobia | fear of string |
| Lygophobia | fear of darkness |
| Lyssophobia | fear of hydrophobia |
List of Phobias
Phobias starting with letters from M-P
| Phobia | Definition |
| Macrophobia | fear of prolonged waiting |
| Metrophobia | fear of poetry |
| Monophobia | fear of being alone |
| Muriphobia | fear of mice |
| Myophobia | fear of mice |
| Mysophobia | fear of contamination or dirt |
| Nebulaphobia | fear of fog |
| Necrophobia | fear of corpses |
| Negrophobia | fear of blacks |
| Neophobia | fear of novelty |
| Nosophobia | fear of disease |
| Novercaphobia | fear of one’s stepmother |
| Nyctophobia | fear of the night or darkness |
| Ochlophobia | fear of crowds |
| Oenophobia | fear or hatred of wine |
| Ombrophobia | fear of rain |
| Onomatophobia | fear of hearing a certain word |
| Ophidiophobia | fear of snakes |
| Ophthalmophobia | fear of being stared at |
| Optophobia | fear of opening one’s eyes |
| Ornithophobia | fear of birds |
| Paedophobia | fear of children; fear of dolls |
| Panophobia | melancholia marked by groundless fears |
| Pantophobia | fear of everything |
| Parthophobia | fear of virgins |
| Pathophobia | fear of disease |
| Pediculophobia | fear of lice |
| Pentheraphobia | fear or hatred of one’s mother-in-law |
| Phagophobia | fear of eating |
| Phengophobia | fear of daylight |
| Phonophobia | fear of noise or of speaking aloud |
| Photophobia | fear of light |
| Pogonophobia | fear of beards |
| Psychrophobia | fear of the cold |
| Pteronophobia | fear of being tickled by feathers |
| Pyrophobia | fear of fire |
List of Phobias
Phobias starting with letters from R-Z
| Phobia | Definition |
| Russophobia | fear of Russia or Russians |
| Satanophobia | fear of the devil |
| Sciaphobia | fear of shadows |
| Scopophobia | fear of being looked at |
| Scoptophobia | fear of being looked at |
| Scotophobia | fear of the dark |
| Sitiophobia | fear of food |
| Sitophobia | fear of food or eating |
| Spectrophobia | fear of looking in a mirror |
| Symmetrophobia | fear of symmetry |
| Syphilophobia | fear of syphilis |
| Taphephobia | fear of being buried alive |
| Technophobia | fear of technology |
| Thalassophobia | fear of the sea |
| Thanatophobia | fear of death |
| Theophobia | fear of God |
| Tocophobia | fear of pregnancy or childbirth |
| Tonitrophobia | fear of thunder |
| Topophobia | fear of performing; fear of certain places |
| Toxicophobia | fear of poisoning |
| Toxiphobia | fear of poison or being poisoned |
| Triskaidekaphobia | fear of the number thirteen |
| Uranophobia | fear of heaven |
| Xenophobia | fear of foreigners |
| Zelophobia | fear of jealousy |
| Zoophobia | fear of animals |
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes a person to experience overwhelming or debilitating fear of a situation or thing that typically does not pose any real danger
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in the United States alone, around 12.5%Trusted Source of adults experience a phobia of a specific situation or object at some point in their lives.
This article describes what a phobia is and outlines the different categories of phobia. It also lists some of the most common and least common phobias, as well as some ways a person can treat a phobia
What is a phobia
A phobia is an overwhelming or debilitating fear, usually of something that poses no real danger at all. If it does pose some danger, the person’s response is usually out of proportion to the actual danger it poses
People who have a phobia are generally aware that their fear is irrational. They will nonetheless experience severe anxiety upon exposure to their phobia
Having a phobia does not just mean that someone is scared of something. People with phobias have an exaggerated fear response. In severe cases, people may rearrange their lives to avoid the situation or thing that is causing their anxiety
Types of phobia
There are three broad phobia categories: specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia.
The sections below will look at these in more detail
Specific phobias
Specific, or “simple,” phobias are those that relate to a particular object or situation
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)Trusted Source classifies specific phobias according to the following categories
Animal type: Examples include dogs, snakes, and spiders
Natural environment type: Examples include storms, water, and height.
Blood, injection, and injury (BII) type: Examples include needles, invasive medical procedures, and blood
Situational type: Examples include a fear of flying and a fear of enclosed spaces
Other type: This type is characterized by any phobia that does not fit into the above categories
People often develop specific phobias when they are younger. They may find that the phobia becomes less severe with age, but this is not always the case
Social phobias
A social phobia is an extreme fear of being in social situations that may cause embarrassment or humiliation
One example of a social phobia is a fear of public speaking
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in public spaces or crowded areas without an easy means of escape. In severe cases, people with agoraphobia become housebound because they are afraid to leave their safe space
Social phobias and agoraphobia are more likely to cause life impairment because the situation or thing that causes the phobia is a lot more difficult to avoid
Common phobias
Phobias are a common type of anxiety disorder. They can affect any person, regardless of their age or sex.
Below is a list of some of the most common phobias
| Phobia | Prevalence and facts |
| Acrophobia (fear of heights) | Another name for acrophobia is “visual height intolerance.” According to the DSM-5, 6.4%Trusted Source of adults will experience acrophobia at some point in their lives. The authors add that women are slightly more likely to experience this type of phobia than men. |
| Aerophobia (fear of flying) | Another name for aerophobia is “pteromerhanophobia.” Aerophobia is among the most common phobias. A 2019 studyTrusted Source of flight anxiety in Norwegian adults found that aerophobia is more common among women than men. The study also pointed to several sources of severe flight anxiety, including odd sounds, turbulence, and a fear of terror attacks. |
| Agoraphobia (fear of public spaces or crowds) | Agoraphobia often causes avoidance behaviors that significantly impact a person’s life. People with agoraphobia may avoid a variety of social situations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 1.3%Trusted Source of adults in the U.S. experience agoraphobia at some point in their lives. |
| Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) | A 2010 study reports that spiders are among the most common sources of phobias in the world. |
| BII phobias | BII phobias include Aichmophobia and hemophobia. Aichmophobia is a fear of needles or sharp-pointed objects. Hemophobia is a fear of blood. BII phobias are very common, affecting around 3–4%Trusted Source of the general population. People with BII phobias may avoid certain medical appointments and procedures. This can significantly affect their health. |
| Claustrophobia (fear of tight or crowded spaces) | According to a 2020 articleTrusted Source, between 7.7% and 12.5% of people will experience claustrophobia at some point in their lives. Several situations may cause anxiety for people with claustrophobia. For example, elevators and MRI machines pose a problem for people who are fearful of tight spaces. |
| Dentophobia (fear of dentists) | Extreme dental anxiety affects around 10%Trusted Source of people in the United Kingdom. Dentophobia is a common phobia in Western countries and seems to affect men and women equallyTrusted Source. A 2014 studyTrusted Source found that people avoid the dentist for a variety of reasons. These include previous traumatic experiences at the dentist and learned fear through other people. People who avoid dental appointments due to dentophobia may experience poor oral health. This can have a direct impact on a person’s overall health and quality of life. |
| Driving phobia (fear of driving a car) | As with other phobias, driving phobia exists on a spectrum. Some people are reluctant to drive, while others avoid driving altogether. A 2017 studyTrusted Source found that around 6% of adults aged 55–70 years experience moderate-to-severe driving anxiety. The study linked driving anxiety to poorer mental and physical health and a lower quality of life. |
| Entomophobia (fear of insects) | Entomophobia is also known as “insectophobia.” A 2018 study investigated the prevalence of entomophobia and arachnophobia in school-aged Iranian children. Of the 260 children who took part in the study, 4.5% had a severe phobia of insects and arachnids, 33.3% had a moderate phobia, and 62.2% had a mild phobia. The study also found that increasing knowledge of insects helped reduce entomophobia. |
| Glossophobia (fear of public speaking) | Glossophobia falls under the category of social phobias. People with glossophobia avoid public speaking for fear of judgment, embarrassment, or humiliation. |
| Hypochondria (fear of illness) | Hypochondria involves excessive worrying about medical conditions. Other names for hypochondria include “somatic symptom disorder” and “health anxiety.” |
| Mysophobia (fear of dirt and germs) | Mysophobia, or “germaphobia,” is a fear of microorganisms such as bacteria, parasites, or viruses. This type of phobia often occurs alongside obsessive-compulsive disorder. |
| Sociophobia (fear of social judgment) | Sociophobia is a common type of anxiety disorder. It affects more than 1 in 8 people at some point in their lives. Social fears vary widely, from fear of speaking in public to fear of using public restrooms. |
| Zoophobia (fear of animals) | A person who experiences a fear of animals will usually fear a specific type of animal, such as dogs, reptiles, or birds. Such fears usually start at an early ageTrusted Source. A 2019 study investigated the prevalence of zoophobia in school-aged children in India. Of the 2,743 students who took part in the study, 20.6% of males and 32.8% of females reported having zoophobia. |
Other phobias
A person may develop a phobia of any type of situation or thing. Because of this, there are hundreds of different phobias that people may experience
Below are some examples of less common phobias
It is important to note that health experts may disagree on the definitions of certain phobias, and some phobias have several names
Achluophobia or nyctophobia: This refers to a fear of darkness
Androphobia: This refers to a fear of men
Anginophobia: This refers to a fear of choking
Arithmophobia: This refers to a fear of numbers
Autophobia: This refers to a fear of being alone
Bacteriophobia: This refers to a fear of bacteria
Bathmophobia: This refers to a fear of steep slopes or stairs
Coulrophobia: This refers to a fear of clowns
Cyberphobia: This refers to a fear of computers
Emetophobia: This refers to a fear of vomiting
Escalophobia: This refers to a fear of escalators
Gynophobia: This refers to a fear of women
Hydrophobia, or aquaphobia: This refers to a fear of water
Iatrophobia: This refers to a fear of doctors
Lockiophobia: This refers to a fear of childbirth
Necrophobia: This refers to a fear of death or dead things
Nosocomephobia: This refers to a fear of hospitals
Obesophobia: This refers to a fear of gaining weight
Pogonophobia: This refers to a fear of beards
Pyrophobia: This refers to a fear of fire
Somniphobia: This refers to a fear of sleep
Treatment options
Most phobias are treatable, and many are curable
In some cases, avoiding the source of a phobia is relatively easy
However, treatment may be necessary for people who cannot easily avoid the source of their phobia. The sections below discuss some possible treatment options in these cases
Self-help techniques
Self-help techniques may combine different types of therapy, such as
Relaxation techniques: These include breathing exercises that help a person relax during times of heightened stress or anxiety
Visualization techniques: These are exercises that allow a person to mentally visualize how they will successfully cope with a situation that could trigger anxiety
Self-help groups: Meeting other people with phobias and sharing coping strategies for dealing with phobias and anxiety can help
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talking therapy that is usually very successful in treating phobias
CBT aims to help people identify irrational thinking patterns and behaviors that maintain or exacerbate their phobia. A CBT therapist will then teach a person some strategies for dealing with the phobia in a more rational and adaptive way
These strategies can ultimately reduce feelings of fear around the source of the phobia.
CBT typically involves exposure therapy
Exposure therapy
Exposure therapy, or “desensitization therapy,” involves gradually exposing a person to their fear until they learn to become less fearful of it
For example, if a person has a fear of spiders, their exposure therapist may recommend that they read a book about spiders. Once the person is comfortable doing this, their therapist may suggest that they hold a picture of a spider
The therapist may then arrange for a person to view some spiders at a zoo. The final stage of the exposure therapy may involve holding a spider
Medications
Since talking therapies are usually effective at treating phobias, medications are rarely necessary.
However, a healthcare provider may sometimes prescribe tranquilizers, beta-blockers, or antidepressants to help control the anxiety that accompanies a phobia
When to see a doctor
A person should see a doctor if they have a phobia that is interfering with their everyday activities.
Sometimes, however, a person’s phobia may limit their ability to seek treatment. For example, a person who has severe agoraphobia may fear leaving the house to seek treatment. Likewise, a person who has a fear of healthcare providers or medical procedures may avoid visiting their doctor
In some cases, a person may feel more comfortable talking to a healthcare provider over the phone. The ADAA have a helpful search tool that allows people to find a psychotherapist in their area
Some providers also offer counseling services via email or video
Summary
A phobia is an overwhelming or debilitating fear of a particular situation or thing that likely does not pose any real danger
The sources of some phobias are more difficult to avoid than others. A person should seek professional help if their phobia causes constant anxiety or interferes with their daily life
Phobias tend to be highly treatable. CBT and exposure therapy are particularly effective treatments for phobias. A person can see a doctor or psychotherapist for advice on how to access these treatments
Phobia List – The Ultimate List of Phobias and Fears
This website is dedicated to fears and phobias. It contains a large list of phobias and teaches how to cope with and ultimately cure your fear. You can also learn more about phobia symptoms and what fear is. Support my work by sharing this phobia list
Not sure if you have an anxiety disorder? Take the anxiety test
Top 100 Phobia List
These are the top 100 phobias in the world, with the most common ones listed from the top. You can click on each phobia to learn about causes, symptoms and treatments
Arachnophobia – The fear of spiders affects women four times more (48% women and 12% men)
Ophidiophobia – The fear of snakes. Phobics avoid certain cities because they have more snakes
Acrophobia – The fear of heights. Five percent of the general population suffer from this phobia
Agoraphobia – The fear of open or crowded spaces. People with this fear often wont leave home
Cynophobia – The fear of dogs. This includes everything from small Poodles to large Great Danes
Astraphobia – The fear of thunder/lightning AKA Brontophobia, Tonitrophobia, Ceraunophobia
Claustrophobia – The fear of small spaces like elevators, small rooms and other enclosed spaces
Mysophobia – The fear of germs. It is also rightly termed as Germophobia or Bacterophobia
Aerophobia – The fear of flying. 25 million Americans share a fear of flying
Trypophobia – The fear of holes is an unusual but pretty common phobia
Carcinophobia – The fear of cancer. People with this develop extreme diets
Thanatophobia – The fear of death. Even talking about death can be hard
Glossophobia – The fear of public speaking. Not being able to do speeches
Monophobia – The fear of being alone. Even while eating and/or sleeping
Atychiphobia – The fear of failure. It is the single greatest barrier to success
Ornithophobia – The fear of birds. Individuals suffering from this may only fear certain species
Alektorophobia – The fear of chickens. You may have this phobia if chickens make you panic
Enochlophobia – The fear of crowds is closely related to Ochlophobia and Demophobia
Aphenphosmphobia – The fear of intimacy. Fear of being touched and love
Trypanophobia – The fear of needles. I used to fear needles (that and death)
Anthropophobia – The fear of people. Being afraid of people in all situations
Aquaphobia – The fear of water. Being afraid of water or being near water
Autophobia – The fear of abandonment and being abandoned by someone
Hemophobia – The fear of blood. Even the sight of blood can cause fainting
Gamophobia – The fear of commitment or sticking with someone to the end
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia – The fear of long words. Believe it or not, it’s real
Xenophobia – The fear of the unknown. Fearing anything or anyone that is strange or foreign
Vehophobia – The fear of driving. This phobia affects personal and work life
Basiphobia – The fear of falling. Some may even refuse to walk or stand up
Achievemephobia – The fear of success. The opposite to the fear of failure
Theophobia – The fear of God causes an irrational fear of God or religion
Ailurophobia – The fear of cats. This phobia is also known as Gatophobia
Metathesiophobia – The fear of change. Sometimes change is a good thing
Globophobia – The fear of balloons. They should be fun, but not for phobics
Nyctophobia – The fear of darkness. Being afraid of the dark or the night is common for kids
Androphobia – The fear of men. Usually seen in younger females, but it can also affect adults
Phobophobia – The fear of fear. The thought of being afraid of objects/situations
Philophobia – The fear of love. Being scared of falling in love or emotions
Triskaidekaphobia – The fear of the number 13 or the bad luck that follows
Emetophobia – The fear of vomiting and the fear of loss of your self control
Gephyrophobia – The fear of bridges and crossing even the smallest bridge
Entomophobia – The fear of bugs and insects, also related to Acarophobia
Lepidopterophobia – The fear of butterflies and often most winged insects
Panophobia – The fear of everything or fear that terrible things will happen
Podophobia – The fear of feet. Some people fear touching or looking at feet, even their own
Paraskevidekatriaphobia – The fear of Friday the 13th. About 8% of Americans have this phobia
Somniphobia – The fear of sleep. Being terrified of what might happen right after you fall asleep
Gynophobia – The fear of women. May occur if you have unresolved mother issues
Apiphobia – The fear of bees. Many people fear being stung by angry bees
Koumpounophobia – The fear of buttons. Clothes with buttons are avoided
Anatidaephobia – The fear of ducks. Somewhere, a duck is watching you
Pyrophobia – The fear of fire. A natural/primal fear that can be debilitating
Ranidaphobia – The fear of frogs. Often caused by episodes from childhood
Galeophobia – The fear of sharks in the ocean or even in swimming pools
Athazagoraphobia – The fear of being forgotten or not remembering things
Katsaridaphobia – The fear of cockroaches. This can easily lead to an excessive cleaning disorder
Iatrophobia – The fear of doctors. Do you delay doctor visits? You may have this
Pediophobia – The fear of dolls. This phobia could well be Chucky-induced
Ichthyophobia – The fear of fish. Includes small, large, dead and living fish
Achondroplasiaphobia – The fear of little people. As they look differently
Mottephobia – The fear of moths. These insects are only beautiful to some
Zoophobia – The fear of animals. Applies to both vile and harmless animals
Bananaphobia – The fear of bananas. If you have this phobia, they are scary
Sidonglobophobia – The fear of cotton balls or plastic foams. Oh that sound
Scelerophobia – The fear of crime involves being afraid of burglars, attackers or crime in general
Cibophobia – The fear of food. The phobia may come from a bad episode while eating, like choking
Phasmophobia – The fear of ghosts. AKA Spectrophobia. Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters
Equinophobia – The fear of horses. Animal phobias are pretty common, especially for women
Musophobia – The fear of mice. Some people find mice cute, but phobics don’t
Catoptrophobia – The fear of mirrors. Being afraid of what you might see
Agliophobia – The fear of pain. Being afraid something painful will happen
Tokophobia – The fear of pregnancy involves giving birth or having children
Telephonophobia – The fear of talking on the phone. Phobics prefer texting
Pogonophobia – The fear of beards or being scared of/around bearded men
Omphalophobia – The fear of belly buttons. Touching and looking at navels
Pseudodysphagia – The fear of choking often after a bad eating experience
Bathophobia – The fear of depths can be anything associated with depth (lakes, tunnels, caves)
Cacomorphobia – The fear of fat people. Induced by the media. Affects some anorexics/bulimics
Gerascophobia – The fear of getting old. Aging is the most natural thing, yet many of us fear it
Chaetophobia – The fear of hair. Phobics tend to be afraid of other peoples hair
Nosocomephobia – The fear of hospitals. Let’s face it, no one likes hospitals
Ligyrophobia – The fear of loud noises. More than the instinctive noise fear
Didaskaleinophobia – The fear of school. This phobia affects kids mostly
Technophobia – The fear of technology is often induced by culture/religion
Chronophobia – The fear of the future. A persistent fear of what is to come
Spheksophobia – The fear of wasps. You panic and fear getting stung by it
Ergophobia – The fear of work. Often due to social or performance anxiety
Coulrophobia – The fear of clowns. Some people find clowns funny, coulrophobics certainly don’t
Allodoxaphobia – The fear of opinions. Being afraid of hearing what others are thinking of you
Samhainophobia – The fear of Halloween affects children/superstitious people
Photophobia – The fear of light caused by something medical or traumatic
Disposophobia – The fear of getting rid of stuff triggers extreme hoarding
Numerophobia – The fear of numbers and the mere thought of calculations
Ombrophobia – The fear of rain. Many fear the rain due to stormy weather
Coasterphobia – The fear of roller coasters. Ever seen Final Destination 3
Thalassophobia – The fear of the ocean. Water, waves and unknown spaces
Scoleciphobia – The fear of worms. Often because of unhygienic conditions
Kinemortophobia – The fear of zombies. Being afraid that zombies attack and turn you into them
Myrmecophobia – The fear of ants. Not as common as Arachnophobia, but may feel just as intense.
Taphophobia – The fear of being buried alive by mistake and waking up in a coffin underg
