A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

A fear of people or human contact can affect everyday situations involving human contact, crowded space, human interaction and strangers. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

Meeting someone face to face, entering a room with other people or anticipating a conversation.

Name origin

From Greek anthrōpos (human) and -phobia.

A fear of phone calls can affect everyday situations involving ringing phone, answering calls, calling someone and telephone call. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

A phone ringing unexpectedly, having to make an appointment by phone or answering an unfamiliar caller.

Name origin

From Greek tēle (far) and phōnē (voice) with -phobia.

A fear of pleasure can affect everyday situations involving having fun, relaxing, enjoyment and indulgence. 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

Accepting an enjoyable invitation, allowing yourself a pleasurable activity or anticipating a rewarding experience.

Name origin

From Greek hēdonē (pleasure) and -phobia.

A fear of politics can affect news, elections, social conversations and situations where political topics may arise. It may lead to avoiding news coverage, leaving discussions, withdrawing from civic activities or becoming highly alert to the possibility of disagreement.

Possible triggers

Hearing a political debate, encountering election coverage or being asked to discuss politics.

Name origin

From Greek politikos (of citizens) and -phobia.

A fear of poverty can affect spending, saving, work decisions, budgeting and planning for the future. It may lead to repeated checking of finances, difficulty spending even when affordable, reassurance-seeking or making major choices primarily to prevent financial hardship.

Possible triggers

Reviewing a tight budget, hearing about loss of income or imagining being unable to afford essentials.

Name origin

From Greek penia (poverty) and -phobia.

A fear of pregnancy or childbirth can affect relationships, family planning, medical appointments and conversations about pregnancy or birth. It may lead to avoiding pregnancy-related information or care, repeated reassurance-seeking, distress around bodily changes or decisions becoming dominated by fear of childbirth.

Possible triggers

Discussing pregnancy, hearing a birth story or anticipating labour and delivery.

Name origin

From Greek tokos (childbirth) and -phobia.

Also known as

Maieusiophobia, Tocophobia, Parturiphobia

A fear of public speaking can affect everyday situations involving speaking on stage, work presentation, class presentation and public speaking. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

Giving a presentation, introducing yourself to a group or being asked to speak at a celebration.

Name origin

From Greek glōssa (tongue) and -phobia.

The concern centres on remaining without a partner, rather than simply spending time alone.

Possible triggers

A relationship ending, being asked about your relationship status or imagining remaining without a partner.

Name origin

Combines a- (without), the marriage-related root in nuptial, and -phobia (fear). Nuptial comes from Latin nuptiae (a wedding).

The concern is taking on responsibility, rather than only worrying about neglecting a duty.

Possible triggers

Being put in charge of a task, accepting responsibility for someone or making a decision others will depend on.

Name origin

From Greek hypengyos (responsible) and phobos (fear).

Also known as

Hypegiaphobia

A fear of returning home can affect everyday situations involving going back home, childhood home, moving back and returning home. 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

Beginning a journey home, approaching the front door or anticipating returning after time away.

Name origin

From Greek nostos (return home) and -phobia.