A fear of slime or slimy textures can affect everyday situations involving sticky goo, slimy texture, mucus and slime. It may lead to scanning for the sensation or visual cue, avoiding particular environments or objects, leaving situations early, or arranging surroundings to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Touching a slimy surface, encountering slime during cleaning or being offered food with a slippery texture.

Name origin

From Greek blenna (mucus) and -phobia.

Also known as

Myxophobia

A fear of string or thread can affect everyday situations involving rope, cord, shoelace and string. It may lead to avoiding touching, using or being near the object, asking others to deal with it, changing routines, or checking surroundings for the trigger.

Possible triggers

Handling sewing thread, opening a parcel tied with string or seeing loose threads on fabric.

Name origin

From Greek linon (linen or thread) and -phobia.

Also known as

Linophobia

A fear of strong smells can affect everyday situations involving overpowering scent, strong smell, bad smell and odour. It may lead to scanning for the sensation or visual cue, avoiding particular environments or objects, leaving situations early, or arranging surroundings to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Entering a strongly scented shop, noticing a powerful cooking smell or being near a heavily fragranced product.

Name origin

From Greek osme (smell) and -phobia.

A fear of sudden loud sounds can affect everyday situations involving balloon popping, explosion sound, alarm sound and sudden noise. It may lead to scanning for the sensation or visual cue, avoiding particular environments or objects, leaving situations early, or arranging surroundings to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Anticipating fireworks, hearing a sudden bang or being near an object you expect might burst.

Name origin

From Greek ligyros (shrill) and -phobia.

A fear of symmetry can affect everyday situations involving even pattern, perfect alignment, balanced shapes and symmetry. It may lead to scanning for the sensation or visual cue, avoiding particular environments or objects, leaving situations early, or arranging surroundings to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Looking at a perfectly mirrored pattern, a symmetrical arrangement of objects or a balanced geometric design.

Name origin

From Greek symmetros (symmetrical) and -phobia.

A fear of taste can affect everyday situations involving strong flavour, bitter taste, new flavours and an unfamiliar taste. It may lead to scanning for the sensation or visual cue, avoiding particular environments or objects, leaving situations early, or arranging surroundings to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Trying an unfamiliar flavour, tasting a sauce or anticipating a strong taste in food.

Name origin

From Greek geusis (taste) and -phobia.

Also known as

Geumaphobia

The focus is attending places such as theatres and arenas, rather than performing on stage.

Possible triggers

Entering a theatre, taking a seat in an auditorium or anticipating an event at a public venue.

Name origin

From Greek theatron (theatre or viewing place) and -phobia (fear).

The number 4 is the focus of this fear.

Possible triggers

Being assigned room 4, seeing the number on a ticket or selecting a date involving four.

Name origin

From Greek tetra- (four) and -phobia (fear).

The number 13 is the focus, often through an association with bad luck.

Possible triggers

Being assigned room 13, seeing 13 on a ticket or planning an event on the thirteenth day of a month.

Name origin

From Greek triskaideka (thirteen) and phobos (fear).

Also known as

Triskadekaphobia

A fear of very small objects can affect crafts, collections, household items and situations involving tiny objects or fine details. It may lead to avoiding touching or looking closely at small items, asking others to handle them or changing routines to prevent encountering them.

Possible triggers

Handling tiny components, examining a miniature object or looking closely at very small items.

Name origin

From Greek mikros (small) and -phobia.