A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

A fear of flying can affect holidays, work travel, visiting family and any journey that would normally involve an aeroplane. It may lead to avoiding flights, choosing much longer routes, worrying well in advance or cancelling trips because of take-off, turbulence or being in the air.

Possible triggers

Examples include the aircraft taking off or landing, feeling turbulence during a flight or seeing news coverage of an aircraft accident.

Name origin

From Greek aer (air) and -phobia.

Also known as

Aviophobia

A fear of heights can affect balconies, stairs, bridges, ladders, flights, viewing platforms or routes with steep drops. Physical sensations such as dizziness, unsteadiness or a strong urge to move away can make even protected places feel unsafe.

Possible triggers

Examples include looking down from a balcony, climbing a ladder, crossing a high bridge or using an upper floor of a multi-storey car park.

Name origin

From Greek akron (peak or summit) and -phobia.

A fear of lifts can affect everyday situations involving stuck in a lift, crowded lift, lift doors and lift. It may lead to avoiding certain journeys, routes or vehicles, planning extensively, relying on other people for transport, or cancelling trips altogether.

Possible triggers

Waiting for lift doors to open, entering a lift or anticipating the doors closing.

Name origin

From English elevate with -phobia.

A fear of movement can affect everyday situations involving physical motion, sudden movement, exercise and movement. It may lead to restricting movement, avoiding activities or positions, monitoring bodily sensations, or changing routines to prevent the feared motion or lack of motion.

Possible triggers

Beginning a physical movement, changing position or anticipating an activity that involves moving your body.

Name origin

From Greek kinesis (movement) and -phobia.

Also known as

Kinetophobia

A fear of moving backwards can affect everyday situations involving reversing car, walking backwards and moving backwards. It may lead to restricting movement, avoiding activities or positions, monitoring bodily sensations, or changing routines to prevent the feared motion or lack of motion.

Possible triggers

Taking a step backwards, reversing direction during an activity or anticipating backward movement.

Name origin

From Latin retro (backwards) and -phobia.

A fear of remaining still can affect everyday situations involving staying still, not moving, standing still and inactivity. It may lead to restricting movement, avoiding activities or positions, monitoring bodily sensations, or changing routines to prevent the feared motion or lack of motion.

Possible triggers

Being asked to stand still, waiting without moving or anticipating a task that requires stillness.

Name origin

From Greek oknos (hesitation) and -phobia.

A fear of sitting down can affect everyday situations involving being seated, sitting still, chair and sitting. It may lead to restricting movement, avoiding activities or positions, monitoring bodily sensations, or changing routines to prevent the feared motion or lack of motion.

Possible triggers

Being offered a seat, preparing to sit through an appointment or lowering yourself into a chair.

Name origin

From Greek kathizo (to sit) and -phobia.

Also known as

Thaasophobia, Cathisophobia

A fear of speed can affect everyday situations involving going too fast, high speed, rollercoaster speed and fast motorway. It may lead to avoiding certain journeys, routes or vehicles, planning extensively, relying on other people for transport, or cancelling trips altogether.

Possible triggers

Feeling a vehicle accelerate, watching fast-moving traffic or anticipating a high-speed journey.

Name origin

From Greek tachys (fast) and -phobia.

Seeing stairs or a steep slope can bring on fear, even before climbing begins. Concerns may involve slipping, falling or gaps between steps.

Possible triggers

Approaching a steep staircase, looking down a flight of steps or planning a route along a slope.

Name origin

From Greek bathmo (steps) and phobos (fear).

Standing upright or walking is the focus of the fear.

Related name: Ambulophobia refers specifically to fear of walking.

Possible triggers

Rising from a chair, taking the first steps across a room or anticipating walking without support.

Name origin

From Greek basis (a step or a standing place), related to bainein (to walk), with -phobia (fear).

Also known as

Stasibasiphobia