A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

Counterphobic behaviour means seeking out a feared situation in an attempt to overcome the fear. It describes a response to fear, rather than a separate phobia of confronting things.

Possible triggers

This describes a way of responding to fear, rather than a separate feared object. Situations depend on the underlying fear the person feels driven to confront.

Name origin

Formed from counter- and phobia.

A fear of ageing can affect everyday situations involving growing old, getting older, grey hair and old age. It may lead to repeated rumination, reassurance-seeking, avoiding reminders or conversations, or finding it difficult to stay present because attention is pulled towards the feared idea.

Possible triggers

An approaching birthday, noticing an age-related change or discussing later life.

Name origin

From Greek gerasko (to grow old) and -phobia.

A fear of anger can affect everyday situations involving someone shouting, angry people, argument and aggression. It may lead to suppressing feelings, avoiding situations likely to trigger the emotion, monitoring your reactions, or withdrawing from experiences that would otherwise matter to you.

Possible triggers

Hearing an angry tone, noticing your own anger rising or anticipating a disagreement.

Name origin

From Latin angor (distress) and -phobia.

This informal name describes fear associated with a stepmother. Family disagreements, personal boundaries or a response to genuinely harmful behaviour should not automatically be labelled a phobia.

Possible triggers

Anticipating a family visit involving a stepmother, receiving a call from her, or being expected to spend time together.

Name origin

Latin noverca means stepmother. It is combined with phobia, from Greek phobos, meaning fear.

A fear of attractive women can affect everyday situations involving asking someone out, approaching women, beautiful women and dating. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

Being introduced to a woman you find attractive or anticipating a conversation with her.

Name origin

From Venus (Roman goddess of beauty) and -phobia.

A fear of being forgotten or ignored can affect relationships, messages, social plans and periods when other people are unavailable. It may lead to repeated checking, reassurance-seeking, difficulty being alone or interpreting ordinary gaps in contact as a sign that you have been forgotten.

Possible triggers

Not receiving a reply, being left out of an invitation or worrying that someone important has forgotten you.

Name origin

Derived from Greek athazō (to forget) with -phobia.

A fear of being laughed at can affect conversations, groups, social events and situations where humour or teasing might arise. It may lead to staying quiet, avoiding attention, replaying interactions or withdrawing because laughter feels as though it could be directed at you.

Possible triggers

Hearing laughter during a conversation, being teased or worrying that a group is laughing at you.

Name origin

From Greek gelos (laughter) and -phobia.

A fear of being photographed or filmed can affect everyday situations involving being photographed, being filmed, video recording and on camera. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

Someone raising a camera, joining a group photograph or being asked to appear in a video.

Name origin

From Latin camera (chamber) and -phobia.

A fear of being touched can affect handshakes, hugs, crowded places, healthcare and other situations involving physical contact. It may lead to keeping extra distance, avoiding busy settings, pulling away from unexpected touch or limiting social and relationship choices.

Possible triggers

An offered handshake, an approaching hug or anticipating physical contact in a crowded place.

Name origin

From Greek haptein (to touch) and -phobia.

Also known as

Aphephobia, Haphephobia, Haptephobia, Chiraptophobia, Thixophobia

A fear of being watched can affect public places, work, social situations and moments where you feel visible to other people. It may lead to avoiding attention, monitoring where others are looking, changing how you behave or leaving situations because you feel observed.

Possible triggers

Becoming the focus of a group's attention, noticing someone staring or completing a task while others watch.

Name origin

From Greek skopein (to look at) and -phobia.

Also known as

Scoptophobia, Ophthalmophobia