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 …
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 …
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.
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.
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?
Top Photo Credit: weheartit.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some examples of rare phobias?
- Rare phobias include phobophobia (fear of phobias), alektorophobia (fear of chickens), and nomophobia (fear of being without a mobile phone).
- Can rare phobias affect daily life?
- Yes, rare phobias can sometimes interfere with routines and social interactions if not managed properly.
- How do I know if my fear is a phobia?
- If your fear is intense, persistent, and causes avoidance or distress, it might be a phobia worth consulting a professional about.
- Are rare phobias hereditary?
- Phobias can run in families, but environmental factors and personal experiences often play a bigger role.
- What causes rare phobias to develop?
- They often develop from traumatic experiences, learned behavior, or sometimes no clear cause at all.
- Can rare phobias be treated?
- Yes, therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are effective for many phobias.
- Is it possible to have more than one phobia?
- Absolutely, people can have multiple phobias, whether common or rare.
- Are rare phobias recognized by doctors?
- Many are recognized in clinical settings, but some rare ones might need more specialized attention.
- Can phobias develop later in life?
- Yes, phobias can appear at any age, not just during childhood.
- How can I support a friend with a rare phobia?
- Be patient, listen without judgment, and encourage them to seek professional help if needed.