Phobias are not uncommon – we all probably have one of the well-known fears, such as spiders, dogs or balloons. It´s possible to have a phobia about all kinds of things though – what might seem normal to you could be a source of extreme fear to another person. Here are some extraordinary rare phobias and their meanings …
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1. Limnophobia
In the north-west of England lies the beautiful Lake District – beautiful, that is, if you are not a limnophobe. Perhaps a fear of lakes has some point to it, given how dangerous they can be …
Limnophobia is an extreme and irrational fear of lakes and other bodies of water. It is a type of specific phobia, which is a persistent fear of a particular object, activity, or situation. People with limnophobia may feel extreme anxiety when they are near a lake or other body of water, even if it is a small pond or a swimming pool.
The fear of lakes can be caused by a traumatic event, such as a near-drowning experience, or by a fear of the unknown that lies beneath the surface. People with limnophobia may also fear the creatures that live in the water, such as fish, snakes, and other animals. Some people may also be scared of the dark depths of the lake and what may be lurking beneath.
The symptoms of limnophobia can vary from person to person, but typically include panic attacks, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shaking, and difficulty breathing. People with limnophobia may also avoid activities that involve being near a lake, such as swimming, fishing, and boating. They may also be afraid to travel near lakes or other bodies of water, or to even look at pictures of lakes.
2. Chirophobia
All phobias are difficult to deal with, but a fear of hands must make life extraordinarily complicated, given that we all possess them. So, not only is the chirophobe afraid of one of their own body parts, but something that is visible in everyone they encounter.
Chirophobia is an intense and irrational fear of hands, which can have a significant impact on an individual's daily life. It is an uncommon phobia, but it can be debilitating for those who suffer from it. People with chirophobia may experience symptoms such as rapid breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, and even panic attacks when confronted with hands, either their own or those of another person.
The fear of hands can be caused by a traumatic event involving hands, such as an attack or an accident. It can also be caused by a negative experience involving a hand, such as being grabbed or held against one's will. Other causes may include a fear of germs or contamination, or a fear of being judged or embarrassed.
Chirophobia can lead to avoidance of activities that involve hands, such as shaking hands, touching doorknobs, or even washing one's own hands. People with chirophobia may also avoid activities such as petting animals, playing sports, or eating with their hands.
3. Rhytiphobia
This is a rare phobia in the sense that the word is pretty much unknown, and yet a lot of women appear to suffer from it. It´s a phobia of wrinkles. Perhaps it is not correct to say that many women are phobic about wrinkles, just bothered by them, but considering the willingness to undergo surgery and cosmetic procedures, you have to wonder.
4. Barophobia
Here´s another rare phobia that must make like very difficult – it´s a fear of gravity. Since gravity is a undeniable part of physics, we can´t really do without it …
5. Logizomechanophobia
As the world changes, new phobias are named accordingly. This is a fear of computers, and while plenty of people are nervous of computers, the number who are truly phobic must be comparatively few.
6. Theophobia
Atheism is hardly unknown, but having a phobia about gods is more obscure. Fortunately, you´re not likely to run into a group of gods, but as with any phobia, it doesn´t have to be likely to exist.
Theophobia is an extremely rare phobia that is related to the fear of gods or deities. People with theophobia experience intense fear and anxiety when they think about gods or deities, or even when they hear someone talking about them. This fear can be so intense that it can cause physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing.
Theophobia can be caused by a variety of factors, including traumatic events, religious upbringing, or even the fear of the unknown. Some people may even have theophobia as a result of a past experience with a deity. It is important to note that theophobia is not the same as atheism, which is the lack of belief in any deities.
In most cases, theophobia can be treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. During cognitive-behavioral therapy, a therapist will help the person identify and challenge the irrational thoughts and beliefs that are causing the fear. The therapist will also help the person develop coping strategies to manage the fear in a healthy way. Medication may also be prescribed to help reduce the symptoms of theophobia.
7. Peladophobia
Most men aren´t very happy when they go bald, but a peladophobe would be truly terrified to encounter a bald head. So you can only imagine how awful it would be for a peladophobe to go bald.
8. Chaetophobia
The chaetophobe has the opposite problem to the peladophobe, being afraid of hair. As with the hand phobic, hair is pretty difficult to avoid seeing, so a chaetophobe must experience extreme difficulty in dealing with others.
9. Kleptophobia
The general meaning of this phobia is easy to guess – we´ve all heard of kleptomania. Those who suffer from this phobia can be afraid of one aspect or the other. Some fear becoming the victim of theft, while others are afraid that they will do the stealing.
People sometimes laugh at those with phobias, especially a rare phobia. It´s really not kind though, as the fear is very real to the sufferer. So, though we may find it extraordinary that someone could be afraid of their own hand, it´s not something that they can control. A rare phobia or a common one has the same effect. Do you have a common or rare phobia, or have you managed to overcome one?
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