Weirdest Phobias People Suffer From!

Summary

The video script delves into the world of unusual phobias, providing a fascinating insight into the irrational fears that affect millions of people. From the fear of cheese (turophobia) and belly buttons (omphalophobia) to the fear of the Pope (papaphobia) and smartphones (nomophobia), the episode explores a range of phobias that are not only peculiar but also increasingly common in today's society. It also touches on the fear of teenagers (ephebiphobia), swallowing (phagophobia), the number 13 (triskaidekaphobia), washing (ablutophobia), and things to the right (dextrophobia). The video concludes with phobophobia, the fear of having a phobia, highlighting the paradoxical nature of fear itself. The script is a blend of humor and informative content, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own fears and the powerful influence of irrational phobias on our lives.

Takeaways

• 🐍 **Arachnophobia and Hydraphobia**: Common phobias include a fear of spiders (arachnophobia) and a fear of water (hydrophobia).
• 🔢 **Phobia Prevalence**: Approximately 19.2 million U.S. adults suffer from phobias, with the most common ones being fear of spiders, snakes, heights, and flying.
• 🧀 **Turophobia**: An irrational fear of cheese, with some individuals finding mozzarella less frightening than other types.
• 👶 **Omphalophobia**: The fear of the navel or belly button, which can cause panic attacks and physical sickness upon seeing or being near one.
• 🎩 **Papaphobia**: A fear of the Pope, which is thought to be related to a fear of religious objects and can lead to physical symptoms like increased heart rate and nausea.
• 📱 **Nomophobia**: A growing fear among younger generations of being without a cellphone, charge, or internet connection, with a significant percentage of phone users affected.
• 👦 **Ephebiophobia**: An irrational fear of teenagers or young people, which has been observed to be on the rise.
• 🍽️ **Phagophobia**: The fear of swallowing, which can be confused with eating disorders but is more closely related to a fear of choking.
• 🔻 **Triskaidekaphobia**: A fear of the number 13, often related to superstition and can lead to avoidance behaviors in various settings.
• 🛁 **Ablutophobia**: A fear of washing or bathing, which is more common in children but can be linked to traumatic experiences.
• ➡️ **Dextrophobia**: The fear of having things to the right of oneself, which can be associated with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
• 😨 **Phobophobia**: The fear of having a phobia itself, which can manifest as panic attacks and constant anxiety about acquiring a phobia.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'phobia'?

The word 'phobia' comes from the Greek word 'phobos', which is related to having a fear of something, often an irrational fear.

How many U.S. adults suffer from phobias according to the National Institute of Mental Health?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19.2 million U.S. adults suffer from phobias.

What is turophobia?

Turophobia is an irrational fear of cheese, with some individuals being unable to go near certain types of cheese like mature cheddar or Parmesan.

What is the fear of the belly button known as?

The fear of the belly button, or navel, is known as omphalophobia.

What is the fear of the Pope called?

The fear of the Pope is called papaphobia, which is thought to be related to fears concerning religious objects.

What does nomophobia refer to?

Nomophobia refers to the fear of being without one's cellphone, without a charge, or without connection to the Internet.

What is ephebiphobia?

Ephebiphobia is an irrational fear of teenagers or generally young people.

What is the phobia of swallowing called?

The phobia of swallowing is called phagophobia, which is sometimes confused with a fear of eating or conditions related to weight.

What is triskaidekaphobia?

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13, which is often related to superstition, myths, and religion.

What is the fear of washing or bathing?

The fear of washing or bathing is known as ablutophobia.

What is dextrophobia?

Dextrophobia is the fear of having things to the right of you, which may be related to obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

What is phobophobia?

Phobophobia is the fear of having a phobia, which can manifest as panic attacks and anxiety due to the constant fear of acquiring a phobia.

What does Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote imply about fear?

Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote 'All we have to fear, is fear itself' implies that fear can be a self-fulfilling prophecy and that the fear of fear can be more paralyzing than the object of fear itself.

Outlines

00:00

🐾 Phobias: Understanding Unusual Fears

The first paragraph introduces the concept of phobias, which are derived from the Greek word 'phobos', meaning fear. It mentions common phobias such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and hydrophobia (fear of water), and notes that according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19.2 million U.S. adults suffer from phobias. The paragraph then delves into ten specific phobias, ranging from the fear of cheese (turophobia) to the fear of the number 13 (triskaidekaphobia), providing examples and insights into each.

05:01

🛁 Fearful Phobias: From Washing to Phobias of Phobias

The second paragraph continues the discussion on phobias, focusing on less common but equally intriguing fears. Ablutophobia is the fear of washing or bathing, which is more prevalent in children but can be linked to traumatic bathing experiences in the past. Dextrophobia is an irrational fear of having things on one's right side, potentially related to obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Phobophobia, the fear of having a phobia, is highlighted as a surprisingly common anxiety disorder that can lead to panic attacks and a constant fear of acquiring a new phobia. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to share their experiences with phobias in the comments and an invitation to watch another video for further information.

Keywords

💡Phobia

A phobia is an irrational or excessive fear of something that poses little real danger. In the context of the video, it is the central theme, as it explores various types of phobias that people suffer from. For example, 'arachnophobia' is mentioned as a fear of spiders, and 'hydrophobia' as a fear of water.

💡Turophobia

Turophobia is an irrational fear of cheese. It is defined by the script as a 'totally irrational fear of cheese' and is used to illustrate the diversity of phobias that can affect people. The video provides an example of a university student who described her first contact with cheese as 'traumatic.'

💡Omphalophobia

Omphalophobia refers to the fear of the navel or belly button. It is mentioned in the script as a phobia that can cause panic attacks and physical sickness when someone sees or is near a belly button. It highlights the specificity of some phobias and their impact on daily life.

💡Papaphobia

Papaphobia is the fear of the pope. The video suggests that this fear might be related to a broader fear of religious objects. It exemplifies how phobias can be associated with specific figures or symbols, leading to physical reactions like increased heart rate and nausea.

💡Nomophobia

Nomophobia is the fear of being without one's cellphone or connection to the internet. The video describes it as a common fear, especially among younger generations, and discusses its impact on behavior, such as showering or sleeping with the phone. It reflects the growing dependency on technology.

💡Ephebiophobia

Ephebiophobia is an irrational fear of teenagers or young people. The video uses it to discuss societal attitudes towards youth and how some people may avoid or fear interaction with them. It touches on generational differences and moral panic.

💡Phagophobia

Phagophobia is the fear of swallowing. The script distinguishes it from a fear of eating or weight-related conditions, noting it is closer to a fear of choking. It is presented as a serious condition that can affect the ability to consume food, water, or medication.

💡Triskaidekaphobia

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. It is linked to superstition and is often associated with myths and religious beliefs. The video points out that this phobia is more of a cultural superstition than a psychological disorder, affecting behaviors such as avoiding the number in various contexts.

💡Ablutophobia

Ablutophobia is the fear of washing or bathing. The video suggests it is more common in children but has historical roots in Europe. It is related to traumatic experiences during childhood and is an example of how past events can lead to specific phobias.

💡Dextrophobia

Dextrophobia is the fear of having things to the right of oneself. The script connects it to obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and describes how sufferers may arrange their environment to avoid items being on their right side. It exemplifies how phobias can influence spatial preferences.

💡Phobophobia

Phobophobia is the fear of having a phobia. The video describes it as a common phobia where individuals experience anxiety and panic attacks due to the fear of acquiring a phobia. It encapsulates the recursive nature of fears and the psychological impact they can have.

Highlights

The term 'phobia' originates from the Greek word 'phobos', signifying fear or often an irrational fear.

Arachnophobia and hydrophobia are examples of common phobias, with 19.2 million U.S. adults suffering from phobias.

Turophobia is an irrational fear of cheese, with some individuals finding mozzarella less intimidating than other types.

Omphalophobia is the fear of the naval or belly button, which can cause panic attacks and physical sickness in sufferers.

Papaphobia, a fear of the pope, is associated with a heightened fear of religious objects and figures.

Nomophobia is the fear of being without a cellphone or internet connection, increasingly common among younger generations.

Ephebiophobia is an irrational fear of teenagers or young people, which some perceive as a growing societal issue.

Phagophobia is the fear of swallowing, which can lead to serious physical reactions such as throat spasms.

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13, often related to superstition and myth.

Ablutophobia is the fear of washing or bathing, which can be linked to traumatic childhood experiences.

Dextrophobia is the fear of having things to the right, potentially associated with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Phobophobia is the fear of having a phobia, which can manifest as panic attacks and constant anxiety.

Phobias can have a significant impact on individuals' daily lives and may require therapy for management.

The National Institute of Mental Health recognizes phobias as a prevalent issue among adults in the U.S.

The fear of heights, snakes, and flying are among the most common phobias.

A UK study found that a majority of men and women suffer from nomophobia, with higher rates in the U.S.

Ephebiophobia reflects a societal concern about the behavior of younger generations, which has been observed historically.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself' encapsulates the essence of phobias.

Transcripts

The word phobia comes from the Greek word, “phobos”, which is related to having a

fear of something, or often what we might call an irrational fear.

We are sure you’ve all heard of arachnophobia, which means a fear of spiders, or hydrophobia,

which means a fear of water.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 19.2 million U.S. adults suffer from

phobias, with some of the most common being a fear of spiders, a fear of snakes, a fear

of heights, and a fear of flying.

But today we’ll focus on the freakiest fears, in this episode of the Infographics Show,

Weirdest Phobias People Suffer From.

10.

Turophobia This is a totally irrational fear of cheese.

Yes, there are some people on this planet that just can’t go near a piece of mature

cheddar.

They run for the hills when the waiter hangs over them with the Parmesan.

Turi comes from the Greek meaning cheese, and you know the rest.

The English media in 2016 reported about a university student with this phobia, who called

her first contact with cheese “traumatic.”

However, she did say that mozzarella wasn’t as scary as the other cheeses.

9.

Omphalophobia This is the fear of the naval, or what we

call the belly button.

It might mean these people can’t abide anyone going near their belly button, or that they

freak out when close to another person’s belly button.

This is a pretty important part of the body, given that it connected us to our mothers.

Only recently in 2018, the UK press featured a 25-year old student doctor who suffered

from this phobia, with the Daily Mail saying that she “suffers panic attacks and is physically

sick” when she sees someone’s navel.

As for the other way around, she said, “If someone touches mine, it feels like they are

touching my insides and I can feel it all through me.”

She may struggle to become a doctor if she doesn’t get over that.

8.

Papaphobia When some people find out that that guy who

likes to wear a white spearhead hat will be in town, they decide to take a vacation.

The guy is the pope, and Papaphobia is a fear of him.

It’s thought this fear is related to other fears concerning being terrified of religious

objects.

When these people see the pope, their heartbeat quickens, they sweat profusely, and sometimes

feel nauseous.

Apparently if these folks do see the man, they should quickly swallow a Xanax or some

similar type of anti-anxiety medication.

7.

Nomophobia Nomophobia is weird, but according to reports

it’s becoming very common among the younger generation.

It means the fear of being without your cellphone, or fear of being without a charge, or even

without connection to the Internet.

Psychology Today says some people are so scared to be without this thing they shower with

it, sleep with it, take it literally everywhere.

In fact, cell phone addiction has become a big topic in the media, but some might be

surprised that people are petrified of being without their device.

A recent UK study consisting of over 2,100 people found that 58 percent of men suffered

from this phobia, as did 47 percent of women.

In the U.S. it is worse, with 66 percent of all phone users suffering from nomophobia.

The Guardian in 2017 said this detachment from the smartphone increases heart rate and

blood pressure, causes anxiety, and generally affects users the way drug addicts first feel

in the early stages of withdrawal.

These “screenagers” have put their lives into this little bleeping box and as most

psychologists will tell you, that box was created to be as addictive as anything.

Welcome to the world of digital heroin.

6.

Ephebiphobia Talking about these smartphone junkie teens,

some people have a fear of them!

Yes, Ephebiphobia is an irrational fear of teenagers or generally young people.

We doubt sufferers need to see ID before they get the sweats.

In every generation you get those old folks decrying the youth of the day, saying they

don’t respect this or that, or in U.S. comedian Doug Stanhope’s opinion, that the digital

generation is just not reckless enough.

But apparently this aversion to our cute kids is on the rise.

The Guardian interviewed one 16-year old who said, “I've had people cross the road to

avoid me.”

But that was due to the age-old fear of kids possibly being aggressive to old people.

Kids these days are subject to moral panic, with older people telling them they are spoiled,

too easily offended, until it comes to the point some people just don’t want to be

anywhere near youths.

But this seems to happen in every generation.

One of the first books on the subject from the 1980s said, “Nearly every generation

of young people has been chastised for being ‘out of control’ or aberrant in some way.

Adult claims of degeneration among the young can be found in nearly every previous decade.”

Only Doug Stanhope dislikes the young, he says, because they aren’t aberrant enough.

5.

Phagophobia This one must really suck.

Phagophobia is the irrational fear of swallowing.

We are told it is sometimes confused with a fear of eating or certain conditions related

to weight, but it’s closer to the fear of choking.

The amount of research on this must mean it’s quite common.

One site tells us, “A person’s throat muscles will flex and spasm during their panic

attack, closing the throat and expelling any unwanted items out of the mouth.”

This could mean water, food, or medications, so it’s very serious.

The answer is therapy.

4.

Triskaidekaphobia The fear of the number 13.

This person might also have a general fear of numbers, which is numerophobia.

Others fear the number 4, which is Tetraphobia.

But as for 13, what does that mean?

Well, it’s mostly related to superstition, sometimes related to myths, religion, and

that generally the number 13 is not a nice number.

We have a show on this topic if you want to know more.

As Time magazine reported, it’s less a psychological malady than it is a silly superstition.

For this reason, some businesses leave out the number on aisles, chairs, floors, or rooms,

and believers will stay clear of the number if they do see it.

3.

Ablutophobia This is not a good phobia to have if you are

actively trying to find someone to date, because it means being terrified of washing, or bathing.

It’s more common in kids than in adults, but a few hundred years back in Europe, many

people had this phobia.

These days it’s thought to be related to traumatic experiences as a child when bathing.

2.

Dextrophobia This is certainly one of the most irrational

of irrational fears.

It’s the fear of having things to the right of you.

According to one source, it’s related to obsessive-compulsive personality disorder,

and sufferers will find themselves cluttering things in the home or office all to the left

side.

They don’t like standing to the left of people or even driving in the left lane.

Other people may have levophobia, which is a fear of things being to the left of them.

If someone has both phobias then they are really in trouble.

1.

Phobophobia You could say our last phobia might make sense

after you’ve watched this show, so it’s the right way to end.

As you might guess, it means the fear of having a phobia.

So, if you are feeling left out right now as you have no phobias, you might one day

acquire this phobia.

From the description, it sounds like a panic attack.

The anxiety forms in the unconscious, and then suddenly the person will feel dizzy and

tense; their heart will pound, they will sweat, and be aware of something bad about to happen.

This anxiety disorder can manifest as panic at any time, because the person is always

fearing getting a phobia, sometimes of something they love.

As strange as it sounds, it’s actually one of the most common phobias on this list.

We’ll leave you with this quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt: “All we have to fear, is fear

itself.”

Aint that the truth.

So, do any of you out there you have any phobias?

Let us know more about it in the comments.

Also, be sure to check out our other video called FBI vs CIA - How do they compare!

Thanks for watching, and, as always, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe.

See you next time!