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6 Rare and Unusual Phobias

Phobias are irrational fears that an individual may hold for different situations/ objects/ persons/ animals or more. There are various types of phobias that people suffer from. But can our general fears be classified as phobias? Not exactly. Phobias come under the umbrella of anxiety disorders and are actual matters of concern. Though these phobias may seem unusual and maybe even funny to some, it is important to note that they aren’t a joke to the person suffering from them. Here is a list of some rare and unusual phobias.

Cherophobia

PHOBIAS-RARE

Cherophobia is known as the fear of being happy. People suffering from this condition may actually end up avoiding situations or experiences which will eventually make them feel happy or positive. They often feel guilty about feeling happy (if they manage to) and try and make themselves unhappy or depressed. The source of the fear is that something negative/bad may happen if they feel happy.

 

Barophobia

phobias-rare

Barophobia is the fear of gravity. There are 2 types of Barophobia. One is where the individual fears that she/he will be crushed by the gravitational pull when it becomes too great; and second is when the person fears that gravity will simply disappear and they will float away. There can be different causes for this phobia, for example, having fallen from a great height at some point of time would be a valid reason.

Geliophobia

phobias-rare

Geliophobia is the fear of laughter. There could be various reasons for the development of this phobia such as embarrassment and humiliation due to the experience of laughing at an inappropriate time earlier. It could also be because the individual was often teased, laughed at or ridiculed in his/her childhood. When encountered with laughter, the individual will usually display extreme anxiety, dread and panic symptoms.

Phobophobia

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Phobophobia is defined as the fear of phobias (or developing a phobia) or the fear of fear. Some individuals suffering from phobophobia may be having pre-existing phobias, while others are afraid that they might develop one. The former will be at a greater risk of developing phobophobia. Phobophobia is often seen to be linked to other anxiety disorders. Its cause is usually the internal thought processes of the person.

Turophobia

phobia-rare

The fear of cheese is known as Turophobia. Sufferers usually associate cheese with a traumatic memory, for example, it could be an unpleasant reaction after eating having eaten cheese once. Individuals suffering from Turophibia often have to run away if they so much as see a cube of cheese. Severity of the phobia may vary from individual to individual. While some may fear one type of cheese, others may fear cheese altogether.

 

Arachibutyrophobia

phobia-rare

The phobia is actually the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of one’s mouth. This phobia is sometimes seen to be entrenched in a more generalized phobia of choking or that of sticky textures. Some sufferers are able to consume small quantities of peanut butter, while others with more severe symptoms are afraid to try peanut butter at all.

 

M. Megha

A passionate writer, artist, movie buff and a hard core non vegetarian, she enjoys trying new and different things. Comedy and thriller movies are her sources of comfort. A student of psychology, she finds the subject fascinating and often incorporates it into the occasional fictional pieces she pens down.
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