A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

A fear of mushrooms or fungi can affect everyday situations involving wild mushrooms, fungal growth, fungus and mould. It may lead to avoidance, checking, reassurance-seeking or changing everyday routines so that contact with the trigger feels less likely.

Possible triggers

Finding mushrooms in a garden, seeing mould or being offered a mushroom dish.

Name origin

From Greek mykes (fungus) and -phobia.

The combination of height and an open setting is the focus.

Possible triggers

Standing on an open elevated platform, approaching an exposed viewpoint or looking down from an open height.

Name origin

Combines Greek aer (air), akros (high or topmost) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of otters can affect everyday situations involving otters in water, river otter, zoo otter and otter. 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

Visiting an otter enclosure, watching otter footage or walking near a place known for otters.

Name origin

From Latin lutra (otter) and -phobia.

Parasites as a group are the concern, rather than only worms or mites.

Possible triggers

Seeing a parasite illustration, reading about infestation or worrying about contact with a parasite.

Name origin

The name combines parasite with phobia, from Greek phobos (fear).

A fear of parasitic worms can affect everyday situations involving intestinal worm, worm infection, parasites and parasitic worms. 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

Encountering information about parasitic worms, viewing a diagram or anticipating a parasite-related test.

Name origin

From Greek helmins (worm) and -phobia.

A fear of plants can affect everyday situations involving garden plants, plant leaves, houseplants and greenery. It may lead to avoidance, checking, reassurance-seeking or changing everyday routines so that contact with the trigger feels less likely.

Possible triggers

Entering a greenhouse, visiting a planted garden or sharing a room with houseplants.

Name origin

From Greek botane (plant) and -phobia.

A fear of reptiles can affect everyday situations involving scaly animal, reptile skin, lizards and gecko. 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

Entering a reptile exhibit, seeing a lizard nearby or watching reptile footage.

Name origin

From Greek herpeton (creeping animal) and -phobia.

A fear of sharks can affect everyday situations involving deep sea predator, shark attack, shark fin and ocean shark. 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

Watching shark footage, visiting an aquarium with sharks or anticipating swimming where you imagine sharks might be present.

Name origin

From Greek galeos (shark) and -phobia.

Also known as

Selachophobia

A fear of shellfish can affect everyday situations involving crab, lobster, prawn and seafood. 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

Seeing shellfish at a fish counter, being served a shellfish dish or encountering shells with animals inside.

Name origin

From Greek ostrakon (shell) and -phobia.

A fear of small animals can affect everyday situations involving domestic animals, pets and small animals. 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

Encountering a small pet, entering a small-animal display or noticing a small animal nearby.

Name origin

From Greek ailouros (cat) broadened in usage.