There was a time when I had some phobias. I had a big fear of heights. And spiders. I used to be afraid of snakes too. I was pretty much terrified of flying. And a couple of lesser things would pop up here and there.
And then, they went away, just like that.
It happened about 19 years ago. About the same time that I decided to quit drinking. A lot changed within me from that point on.
Some other things have come to the forefront though. Like my introversion and my obsessive-compulsive behavior.
But somehow, all the other fears I used to have just slipped away into nothing.
We can be quite complicated, us humans. You just never know what the fellow standing next to you might do in that crowded elevator. Especially these days. Don’t worry. I’m here to help. Today, I’ve found some unusual phobias people have. Maybe it is you. Maybe it is the lady in front of you at the checkout line. Either way, here goes.
1. Ombrophobia
I love a good gentle rain. For people with Ombrophobia, they won’t be singing in the rain any time soon. Yes, this is an extreme fear of rain. A simple downpour can cause unexplained damage to people with ombrophobia. The phobia affects both kids and adults alike. Raindrops keep falling on my head, might surely make them crazy.
2. Numerophobia
Also known as arithmophobia, numerophobia is a fear of numbers. This isn’t me at all. I love numbers, and I get a little bit transfixed by them. That’s not to say that I’m a huge fan of math. It’s akin to me liking tomatoes but not tomato soup. Anyway, there are people with a genuine fear of numbers. They experience anxiety anytime they see a number, even if it is not in a math class.
This is a bad one to have, I think. Since most life aspects depend on math and typical numbers, individuals with this problem usually find it hard to complete their daily activities.
3. Phobophobia
You probably guessed this one from the name. Yes, some people are afraid of fear, a condition known as phobophobia. In a study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, researchers describe this fear as a “free-floating anxiety.” People who have this affliction often suffer panic attacks. The general feeling of fear causes shortness of breath and rapid heart palpitations. For the record, I have anxiety. About nothing sometimes. Just an overwhelming anxiety. So don’t sneak up on me. I’ve given you fair warning.
4. Chiclephobia
Chiclephobia is the fear of chewing gum. People who experience this usually have anxiety whenever they chew gum or see someone doing it. Since this is unusual, its exact cause still remains unknown. However, experts suspect a previous negative experience can cause this. I’m not crazy about gum chewers, especially loud ones. I don’t fear them. I’m just annoyed by them.
5. Eleutherophobia
This one surprised me. Mainly, because people have been fighting for their freedom since time began and, all around the world, they continue to do so. We all want to be free, don’t we? Well. Interestingly enough, some people want nothing to do with it. The thought of being free alone gives them anxiety and panic attacks. This phobia, Eleutherophobia, is a strange concept to me. But, anyone with this phobia prefers taking orders, directions, and instructions from someone else. They do not see how they can survive without their teachers, mentors, or masters. I’ve heard this about prison inmates who have been incarcerated for several decades. When they get out, they can’t function without all those orders and restrictions.
6. Euphobia
People with a phobia fear hearing good news. They aren’t happy whenever they receive what many people perceive as positive news. In fact, it terrifies them. I’m not sure what causes this one, but it must have been something really, really good.
7. Globophobia
Balloons are colorful and happy. They can be seen at parties everywhere. And political rallies. Or amusement parks. Or just about anywhere. But some people fear balloons, and this is known as globophobia. For one, Oprah Winfrey has revealed that she can’t stand balloons. She has an extreme fear of them. Many factors can cause this fear. The fact that they pop may be one of them. I like a balloon. Especially the helium kind. Follow the yellow brick road.
Here’s the thing. There are over 500 named phobias listed on the Phobia List web site. While most of them are extremely rare, they exist, for real, in a lot of people’s lives. We all fear something. If someone tells you differently, I would bet good money that they are lying. Or delusional.
Maybe there is a fear of admitting to someone that you have a fear.
Any way you look at it. It’s a big Universe out there, and it can be quite wonderful. But at the same time, parts of it can be scary. May we all be well today, and find only the good parts.
Boo.
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Tell us your phobias and we will tell you what you are afraid of.
— Robert Benchley
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Fear is the mother of foresight.
— Thomas Hardy
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Never be afraid to sit a while and think.
— Lorraine Hansberry
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The things that are lurking around the corner.
