A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

Being by yourself does not have to mean feeling unsafe, unable to cope or waiting for somebody else to return. This guide explores why being alone can trigger such a strong response, what can keep monophobia active and how greater independence, comfort and choice can begin to return.

Also known as

Autophobia

A fear of birds can affect parks, town centres, beaches and outdoor eating areas. It may lead to scanning for pigeons or seagulls, avoiding places where birds gather, moving away from flapping wings or leaving when a bird comes unexpectedly close.

Possible triggers

Examples include hearing wings flutter nearby, encountering birds in a park, finding a feather or seeing birds in a film or museum display.

Name origin

From Greek ornis (bird) and -phobia.

A fear of blood can affect everyday situations involving seeing blood, open wound, medical blood and bleeding. It may lead to monitoring sensations or bodily changes, avoiding particular situations, seeking reassurance, or organising routines around preventing the feared outcome.

Possible triggers

Seeing blood after a minor cut, watching a blood sample being taken or encountering blood in a film.

Name origin

From Greek haima (blood) and -phobia.

Also known as

Hemaphobia, Hematophobia, Haemophobia

A fear of dental treatment can affect everyday situations involving root canal, dental surgery, dentist and drill. It may lead to postponing appointments or treatment, worrying for days beforehand, seeking repeated reassurance, or avoiding healthcare that would otherwise be straightforward.

Possible triggers

Examples include hearing a dental drill, noticing the smells inside a dental practice, reclining in the treatment chair or thinking about an upcoming appointment.

Name origin

From Latin dens (tooth) and -phobia.

Also known as

Odontophobia

A fear of dogs can affect parks, pavements, visiting other people’s homes and places where a dog may be off the lead. It may lead to changing routes, scanning ahead, asking whether a dog will be present or leaving when barking or an approaching dog feels too close.

Possible triggers

Examples include hearing a dog bark nearby, watching a dog on screen or visiting somewhere a dog might be present.

Name origin

From Greek kyon (dog) and -phobia.

Also known as

Kynophobia

Amaxophobia can involve fear of driving or of travelling as a passenger.

A fear of driving can affect work, family life and independence. Some people avoid motorways, bridges, tunnels, busy traffic or unfamiliar routes, while others drive only after extensive planning, reassurance or mental preparation.

Possible triggers

Examples include getting into a car for a journey, travelling with an unfamiliar driver or taking a bus on a route that differs from the usual one.

Name origin

From Greek amaxa (wagon or carriage) and -phobia.

Also known as

Hamaxophobia, Motorphobia, Ochophobia

A fear of enclosed or confined spaces can affect everyday situations involving tube train, locked room, small spaces and MRI scanner.

Possible triggers

Examples include travelling in a lift or on a tube train, entering a tunnel, being in a room with a locked door or preparing for an MRI scan.

Name origin

From Latin claustrum (a closed space) and -phobia.

A fear of flying can affect holidays, work travel, visiting family and any journey that would normally involve an aeroplane. It may lead to avoiding flights, choosing much longer routes, worrying well in advance or cancelling trips because of take-off, turbulence or being in the air.

Possible triggers

Examples include the aircraft taking off or landing, feeling turbulence during a flight or seeing news coverage of an aircraft accident.

Name origin

From Greek aer (air) and -phobia.

Also known as

Aviophobia

A fear of heights can affect balconies, stairs, bridges, ladders, flights, viewing platforms or routes with steep drops. Physical sensations such as dizziness, unsteadiness or a strong urge to move away can make even protected places feel unsafe.

Possible triggers

Examples include looking down from a balcony, climbing a ladder, crossing a high bridge or using an upper floor of a multi-storey car park.

Name origin

From Greek akron (peak or summit) and -phobia.

A fear of insects can affect everyday situations involving crawling insect, flying insect, bugs and flies. It may lead to scanning surroundings, avoiding places where the animal might appear, asking other people to check or deal with it, or leaving suddenly when one is seen.

Possible triggers

Examples include spotting an insect indoors, anticipating insects during a park visit or seeing close-up insect images online or on television.

Name origin

From Greek entomon (insect) and -phobia.

Also known as

Insectophobia