We’ve all heard of everyday fears of spiders and heights, but what about the oddly specific dread of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth?
Phobias come in all shapes and sizes, and some might just surprise you
There are so many things that make us shudder and have us feeling that eerie tingle shoot down our spine. Spiders, public speaking, or even the thought of being without our phones (yes, that’s a real phobia) are all common things that give people that twinge of anxiety. There are certain fears, however, that become so strong they send your heart racing, your palms sweating, and your imagination spiralling into overdrive. These are what we call phobias, and as it turns out, there’s a fascinating (and often funny) world of them out there.
What’s in a Word? The Origins of “Phobia”
The word phobia dates back to the 18th century, first recorded in 1786 as “irrational fear, horror, or aversion.” Its roots lie in the Greek word phobos, meaning “fear, panic, or terror,” which itself came from the idea of “flight”, as in running away very quickly from something scary. By the late 19th century, psychologists were using phobia to describe an abnormal and irrational fear. It’s also why one of Mars’s moons is called Phobos, named after the mythological personification of fear.
The Psychology Behind Phobias
Phobias can most certainly make you feel uneasy. They are anxiety disorders where fear goes into overdrive, overwhelming rational thought. Psychologists define phobias as an irrational fear that disrupts your life. While fear is usually protective (your brain’s way of saying “hey, this might hurt”), phobias crank that dial up to 11, making even harmless things feel threatening. The cause is still not entirely clear, though genetics, past experiences, and even brain chemistry all play a part.
The “Classic” Phobias
When most people think of phobias, it’s the classics that spring to mind, like arachnophobia, the fear of spiders that can turn a simple trip to the garden into a horror scene. Then there’s acrophobia, the fear of heights that leaves knees shaking on tall ladders, claustrophobia, the dread of confined spaces such as lifts or crowded trains, and agoraphobia, the anxiety that comes with open or bustling places where escape feels impossible. These well-known phobias are so common that they often get movie cameos and have become part of everyday conversation.
The Quirky and Unexpected Side of Phobias
Phobias aren’t always so predictable. Some are oddly specific, like Anatidaephobia, the irrational fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you. Imagine trying to go about your day, eat at a restaurant, enjoy a picnic, or sip on a tantalising beverage, with the constant suspicion of a feathered stalker lurking in the bushes, its beady little eyes locked on your sandwich or pint. It sounds like the plot of a very low-budget horror film, but for those who have it, the paranoia is all too real, because who can truly say a duck isn’t watching from afar?
Below is a breakdown of some of the lesser known phobias:
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
The person who came up with the name for this one was clearly having a right laugh to themselves, because this is the fear of long words. Somewhat unfairly, it’s a ridiculously long word itself. It can sometimes manifest itself when reading or studying, with people who suffer from it avoiding words altogether in fear of coming across a particularly long one. They’d be better off avoiding this blog, I guess.
Globophobia
This fear of balloons often starts young, usually with one traumatic POP. Too much helium, too much tension, and now balloons are forever the enemy. That squeaky sound they make, the idea that they might explode at any second, and the difficulty in tying them can all combine to leave someone sweating and panicking at even the thought of attending a balloon filled function.
Eisoptrophobia
Ever looked in the mirror after a long day of work or a particularly eventful evening at the club? Then you might be able to resonate with this one. Also known as spectrophobia or catoptrophobia, this one goes beyond just not liking your reflection; it is a complete fear of mirrors. For some, mirrors are unsettling portals of unease, as if they’re less about showing your face and more about what, or who, might be staring back.
Arachibutyrophobia
Gooey, tasty, and perfectly layered on a mouthwatering sandwich or as part of a tasty chocolate dessert, peanut butter is a versatile spread, but it has a hidden dark side. The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth is more common than some might think. A very niche concern, but one that makes sense if you’ve ever panicked mid-sandwich.
Nomophobia
Let me paint the picture. You stick your hand in your pocket. Search around for a few moments, and suddenly the fear grips you: you can’t find your phone. In our hyper-connected world, this might be the most relatable modern phobia out there. What if you forget your charger and your phone dies? It suddenly becomes a full-blown crisis.
Phobophobia
Believe it or not, yes, this is real, a fear of phobias themselves. For those who get anxious about being anxious, this is the ultimate loop. Symptoms can include heart palpitations, dizziness, and even more anxiety. It might sound strange, but this is actually very much like the modern concept of FOMO, you’re afraid of being afraid of being afraid of being afraid ….
Phobias remind us that the human mind is wonderfully strange. They can range from the logical (not wanting to fall off a tall building) to the absurd (being convinced a duck is spying on you). While some phobias are deeply challenging, others simply highlight just how creative our imaginations can be.
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