You may think you already know the strange phobias, but these lists of unusual phobias will surprise and delight you.
1. Optophobia
If there is an award for the most annoying phobia, optophobia will surely win that award. Optophobia is the fear of opening the eyes. This simple act seems as easy as breathing to most people, yet it is a nightmare for people with optophobia. Luckily, if you can read this, you’re probably not optophobic.
2. Geliophobia
Numerous studies have shown that laughter is beneficial for our health, improving mental health, social connections and thermal state, thus the saying “Laughter is the best medicine.” Unfortunately, there are people who have a phobia of laughing known as geliophobia. They may become anxious and agitated by being with people who laugh or simply by the act of laughing. Some research suggests that the reasons for this phobia may be laughing in inappropriate circumstances or situations and having people laugh at you.
3. Corophobia
If parties, ballets, weddings, or any occasion involving dancing gives you overwhelming distress, you may have corophobia, or the fear of dancing. Regardless of dancing skills or the need to dance, any occasion or circumstance related to dancing can trigger this phobia.
4. Heliophobia
Sunlight is essential to humanity and provides benefits such as protecting our bones and improving our mood. Unfortunately, some people suffer from a rare condition known as heliophobia, or the fear of sunlight. Not only does sunlight cause heliphobics tremendous panic and anxiety, but they also experience distress from bright light. Fear is often associated with great concern about the harmful effects of the sun. Unfortunately, staying out of sunlight is an impossible task unless you’re a vampire.
5. Arachibutyrophobia
Although this is not a life-threatening condition, this list of unusual phobias would not be complete without arachibutyrophobia, or the fear of peanut butter sticking to your sky. Peanut butter is not necessary in our diet, but people who have such a phobia would miss out on the benefits of peanut butter, such as lowering cholesterol.
6. Deipnophobia
While a few people experience the common form of social phobia, deipnophobia, on the other hand, is more specific and defined as the fear of conversation at dinner. Although being a deipnophobe can be a disadvantage at some point as it can cause discomfort and discomfort, being silent during dinner is actually good for digestion.
7. Neophobia
We’ve all heard the saying that change is the only constant thing in this world and that human beings are uncomfortable with change, but neophobia is something else – it’s an abnormal and severe fear of new experiences and things. Neophobia can not only affect the well-being and happiness of those who have the phobia; it can also be a reason for missing out on experiences and opportunities that life can offer. Furthermore, according to research, the physical or mental pressure of neophobia can reduce life expectancy.
8. Ablutophobia
Fear of washing and bathing is the most common among children; however, this rare condition exists in adults. Ablutophobia is the fear of bathing and washing. This may sound absurd, but some people experience fear at the very thought of taking a shower. While there are some benefits to skipping the occasional shower, such as helping to preserve the good bacteria and natural oils that help ward off disease and protect your skin, doing so as a regular habit can probably have a negative impact on your social life and health.
9. Syngenesophobia
Most of us feel irritation or discomfort when we are with relatives. However, people with syngenesphobia have a fear of relatives. Apart from the fact that there are enough reasons for these fears, it is advisable and worthwhile to seek the help of professionals and experts in order to alleviate this type of phobia and improve your relationship with your loved ones. According to experts, it could also be beneficial for your health as a strong bond with your family can increase your life expectancy.
10. Geniophobia
Do you know someone who has an unbearable fear of beards? Then, maybe that person suffers from geniophobia or the fear of beards. Unfortunately, there are also phobias of other parts of the human body, such as chirophobia (fear of hands) and genuphobia (fear of knees). Due to the unpleasant effects it can have, such as making social interactions difficult, it is recommended to go through therapy to overcome the individual’s phobia.
