The position of an object on the left is the defining feature.

Possible triggers

Noticing objects arranged to your left or being asked to sit with something on that side.

Name origin

Combines levo- (on the left), from Latin laevus, with Greek-derived -phobia (fear).

The position of something on the right is the focus. The term has also been used for fear of right-handedness.

Possible triggers

Noticing objects arranged to your right or being asked to sit with something on that side.

Name origin

Combines Latin dexter (right or on the right-hand side) with Greek-derived -phobia (fear).

A fear of open or hard-to-escape public spaces can affect shopping, queues, public transport, busy places and leaving home. It may lead to changing routes, needing an escape plan, relying on another person or gradually avoiding places that feel difficult to leave.

Possible triggers

Examples include leaving home alone, travelling by public transport or visiting a shopping centre when getting away or finding help feels difficult.

Name origin

From Greek agora (public marketplace) and -phobia.

The feared object is something launched or fired, such as a projectile.

Possible triggers

Seeing a projectile launched, hearing discussion of missiles or watching footage of objects being fired.

Name origin

The name connects ballista (a catapult) with Greek phobos (fear).

A fear of rain can affect everyday situations involving heavy rain, rain noise, downpour and rainstorm.

Possible triggers

Examples include stepping outside into drizzle, seeing heavy rain through a window or checking a forecast that predicts rain during planned activities.

Name origin

From Greek ombros (rain) and -phobia.

A fear of relocation or change of place can affect everyday situations involving moving house, packing up, new environment and relocation. It may lead to avoiding change, delaying plans, seeking reassurance, or keeping life unusually restricted so that the feared situation is less likely to arise.

Possible triggers

Preparing to move house, changing your usual location or anticipating relocation to an unfamiliar place.

Name origin

From Greek tropos (turn or change) and -phobia.

A fear of rivers can affect everyday situations involving crossing a river, flowing water, river current and river bank.

Possible triggers

Walking beside a river, approaching a riverbank or planning an activity near flowing river water.

Name origin

From Greek potamos (river) and -phobia.

A fear of severe storms or tornadoes can affect everyday situations involving weather warning, severe storm, natural disaster and tornado.

Possible triggers

Receiving a severe-storm warning, seeing tornado footage or anticipating a storm approaching your area.

Name origin

From Greek lilaps (whirlwind) and -phobia.

A fear of snow can affect everyday situations involving icy roads, winter snow, snowfall and snowstorm.

Possible triggers

Examples include hearing that snow is forecast, noticing the first snowfall outside or seeing snowy scenes in photographs or films.

Name origin

From Greek chion (snow) and -phobia.

A fear of stars or outer space can affect everyday situations involving night sky, outer space, starry sky and planets.

Possible triggers

Looking at a star-filled sky, visiting a planetarium or watching a documentary about outer space.

Name origin

From Greek astron (star) and -phobia.