Dysmorphophobia is another name for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). It involves a distressing preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance that other people may barely notice or not see at all. It is not simply a specific phobia of physical flaws.

Possible triggers

Looking in a mirror, being photographed or anticipating others noticing a feature you are concerned about.

Name origin

The historical name combines Greek dysmorphia (ugliness) with -phobia (fear). It describes a concern about appearance, not a judgement about how someone looks.

A fear of anaesthesia can make preparing for an operation feel difficult, particularly when it involves uncertainty about the procedure or recovery. 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

Discussing anaesthesia before an operation or preparing for the day of a procedure.

Name origin

From Greek anaisthēsia (without sensation) and -phobia.

A fear of a particular specific illness can affect everyday situations involving specific disease, single diagnosis, one illness and particular condition. It may lead to monitoring symptoms, checking the body, searching for reassurance, repeatedly seeking medical certainty, or avoiding reminders of illness.

Possible triggers

Hearing about the particular illness you fear, reading information about it or anticipating a relevant test.

Name origin

From Greek monos (single) and pathos (disease) with -phobia.

The name refers to fear of bacilli, a term used for rod-shaped bacteria.

Possible triggers

Reading about bacteria, seeing a microscopic image or worrying that a surface carries bacteria.

Name origin

Combines bacillus with Greek-derived -phobia (fear). Bacillus comes from Latin for a little staff, reflected in the rod shape of these bacteria.

A fear of baldness can affect everyday situations involving bald head, hair loss, shaved head and bald person. It may lead to self-monitoring, avoiding mirrors, photographs, grooming or close contact, seeking reassurance, or changing social plans because of appearance-related fear.

Related name: Phalacrophobia refers specifically to fear of becoming bald.

Possible triggers

Noticing hair shedding, seeing a thinning area or discussing future hair loss.

Name origin

From Greek pelas (near bald) and -phobia.

A fear of beards can affect work, social events, public places and interactions with people who have facial hair. It may lead to keeping your distance, avoiding particular people or places, or becoming preoccupied with whether someone with a beard will be present.

Possible triggers

Meeting someone with a beard, seeing close-up beard images or sitting near a bearded person.

Name origin

From Greek pogon (beard) and -phobia.

The feared event is receiving a scratch or having the skin scratched.

Possible triggers

Being near an animal's claws, handling something rough or anticipating an activity you associate with scratches.

Name origin

From Greek amyche (a scratch) and phobos (fear).

The focus is the navel, commonly called the belly button.

Possible triggers

Seeing an exposed belly button, touching your own navel or encountering a close-up image.

Name origin

From Greek omphalos (navel) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of blindness or vision loss can affect everyday situations involving losing sight, vision loss, eye disease and eye pressure. It may lead to monitoring sensations or bodily changes, avoiding particular situations, seeking reassurance, or organising routines around preventing the feared outcome.

Possible triggers

Discussing possible vision loss, preparing for an eye examination or reading about eye disease.

Name origin

Named after glaucoma, combined with -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