The worry centres on causing or being involved in an accident. It can concern situations at home, at work or while travelling, even when an accident is unlikely.

Possible triggers

Planning a journey, hearing about an accident or anticipating an activity associated with accidental harm.

Name origin

Combines Greek roots dys- (bad) and tych- (chance or fortune) with -phobia (fear), referring to an accident or misfortune.

Alcohol is the focus of this fear. Choosing not to drink is not, by itself, a phobia.

Possible triggers

Being offered an alcoholic drink, entering a bar or seeing alcohol served at a gathering.

Name origin

From Greek methy (wine) and -phobia (fear).

The fear is tied to a particular location or setting that matters to the individual.

Possible triggers

Approaching the particular place associated with the fear, seeing a photograph of it or anticipating a return visit.

Name origin

From Greek topos (place) and phobos (fear).

A fear of atmospheric or air pressure changes can affect everyday situations involving air pressure, weather pressure, pressure changes and storm pressure.

Possible triggers

Reading a forecast about changing air pressure or anticipating a marked change in atmospheric conditions.

Name origin

From Greek atmos (vapour) and sphaira (sphere), combined with -phobia.

The feared event is an atomic explosion, rather than radiation in general.

Possible triggers

Reading about nuclear weapons, hearing discussion of atomic explosions or watching footage of a nuclear test.

Name origin

Combines Greek atomos (indivisible), the source of the word atom, with -phobia (fear).

A fear of balloons can affect everyday situations involving balloon popping, inflated balloon, burst balloon and balloon. 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

Entering a room decorated with balloons, watching one being inflated or anticipating a balloon bursting.

Name origin

From Latin globus (sphere) and -phobia.

A fear of bathing or washing can affect everyday situations involving bathroom routine, showering, bathing and washing. It may lead to delaying or avoiding ordinary routines, relying on other people to complete them, or arranging the day around not having to face the trigger.

Possible triggers

Preparing to shower, running a bath or beginning a washing routine.

Name origin

From Latin ablutio (washing) and -phobia.

A tall building or mountain can feel frightening from nearby, even without climbing it.

Possible triggers

Standing beside a tower, walking beneath a tall building or approaching a very high structure.

Name origin

Uses the Greek walking or stepping root found in bainein, together with -phobia (fear). The name refers to fear when passing near tall structures.

A fear of being trapped can affect lifts, locked rooms, crowded transport, tunnels and situations where leaving is not immediate. It may lead to checking exits, keeping doors open, avoiding enclosed settings or needing reassurance that you can get out.

Possible triggers

A door becoming stuck, finding an exit blocked or being unable to leave a room when you want to.

Name origin

From Greek kleithron (bar or bolt) and -phobia.

Also known as

Clithrophobia

A fear of cliffs or precipices can affect everyday situations involving edge of cliff, mountain edge, steep drop and cliff.

Possible triggers

Approaching a cliffside viewpoint, following a path beside a steep drop or seeing a sheer rock face.

Name origin

From Greek kremnos (cliff) and -phobia.