A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

A fear of being a passenger can affect everyday situations involving bus ride, train journey, packed bus and car journey. It may lead to avoiding certain journeys, routes or vehicles, planning extensively, relying on other people for transport, or cancelling trips altogether.

Possible triggers

Getting into the passenger seat, letting someone else drive or anticipating a journey without control of the vehicle.

Name origin

Derived from Greek roots relating to vehicles and -phobia.

The focus is the navel, commonly called the belly button.

Possible triggers

Seeing an exposed belly button, touching your own navel or encountering a close-up image.

Name origin

From Greek omphalos (navel) and -phobia (fear).

Bicycles are the focus of this term. It can describe fear around a bicycle without meaning that every form of transport feels threatening.

Possible triggers

A bicycle passing close by, being asked to get on a bike, or approaching a shared path used by cyclists.

Possible name origin

Cycle refers to a bicycle and ultimately comes from Greek kyklos, meaning wheel or circle. Phobia comes from Greek phobos, fear.

A fear of bridges can affect everyday situations involving crossing a bridge, driving over bridge, suspension bridge and high bridge. It may lead to avoiding certain journeys, routes or vehicles, planning extensively, relying on other people for transport, or cancelling trips altogether.

Possible triggers

Approaching a bridge, crossing one on foot or planning a route that includes a bridge.

Name origin

From Greek gephyra (bridge) and -phobia.

Fear arises during the act of climbing. This differs from being frightened simply by seeing stairs or a slope.

Possible triggers

Approaching a staircase to climb, being asked to use a ladder or planning an uphill route.

Name origin

From Greek klimax (ladder or staircase) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of crossing streets can affect everyday situations involving crossing road, pedestrian crossing, busy junction and traffic lights. It may lead to avoiding certain journeys, routes or vehicles, planning extensively, relying on other people for transport, or cancelling trips altogether.

Possible triggers

Approaching a pedestrian crossing, judging when to cross a road or facing a wide street.

Name origin

From Greek dromos (running or course) and -phobia.

The concern is developing wrinkles, rather than every aspect of growing older.

Possible triggers

Noticing a facial line, looking closely in a mirror or discussing skin ageing.

Name origin

From Greek rhytis (wrinkle) and -phobia (fear).

Amaxophobia can involve fear of driving or of travelling as a passenger.

A fear of driving can affect work, family life and independence. Some people avoid motorways, bridges, tunnels, busy traffic or unfamiliar routes, while others drive only after extensive planning, reassurance or mental preparation.

Possible triggers

Examples include getting into a car for a journey, travelling with an unfamiliar driver or taking a bus on a route that differs from the usual one.

Name origin

From Greek amaxa (wagon or carriage) and -phobia.

Also known as

Hamaxophobia, Motorphobia, Ochophobia

A fear of enclosed or confined spaces can affect everyday situations involving tube train, locked room, small spaces and MRI scanner.

Possible triggers

Examples include travelling in a lift or on a tube train, entering a tunnel, being in a room with a locked door or preparing for an MRI scan.

Name origin

From Latin claustrum (a closed space) and -phobia.

The fear can involve your own feet or someone else's, whether bare or covered. Seeing or thinking about feet can feel difficult, and some people avoid places where others are barefoot.

Possible triggers

Seeing bare feet, entering a shared changing area or anticipating touching a foot.

Name origin

The podo- part comes from Greek podos, referring to the foot.