The worry centres on causing or being involved in an accident. It can concern situations at home, at work or while travelling, even when an accident is unlikely.

Possible triggers

Planning a journey, hearing about an accident or anticipating an activity associated with accidental harm.

Name origin

Combines Greek roots dys- (bad) and tych- (chance or fortune) with -phobia (fear), referring to an accident or misfortune.

A fear of advanced technology can affect everyday situations involving new gadgets, digital systems, computers and AI. It may lead to avoiding touching, using or being near the object, asking others to deal with it, changing routines, or checking surroundings for the trigger.

Possible triggers

Being asked to use unfamiliar technology, encountering a new digital system or replacing familiar equipment.

Name origin

From Greek techne (art or skill) 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.

Alcohol is the focus of this fear. Choosing not to drink is not, by itself, a phobia.

Possible triggers

Being offered an alcoholic drink, entering a bar or seeing alcohol served at a gathering.

Name origin

From Greek methy (wine) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of anaesthesia can make preparing for an operation feel difficult, particularly when it involves uncertainty about the procedure or recovery. It may lead to postponing appointments or treatment, worrying for days beforehand, seeking repeated reassurance, or avoiding healthcare that would otherwise be straightforward.

Possible triggers

Discussing anaesthesia before an operation or preparing for the day of a procedure.

Name origin

From Greek anaisthēsia (without sensation) and -phobia.

A fear of angels can affect everyday situations involving divine beings, religious imagery, angel figure and wings. It may lead to avoiding certain places, images, stories or times of day, checking surroundings, seeking reassurance, or staying away from reminders of the feared idea.

Possible triggers

Seeing an angel statue, encountering angel imagery or hearing a story about angels.

Name origin

From Greek angelos (messenger) 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.

A fear of angles or sharp corners can affect everyday situations involving sharp corners, triangular shape, pointed corner and angles. It may lead to avoiding touching, using or being near the object, asking others to deal with it, changing routines, or checking surroundings for the trigger.

Possible triggers

Sitting beside an angular table, encountering a sharp-edged object or looking at a pattern of pointed angles.

Name origin

From Greek gonia (angle) and -phobia.

A fear of animal fur or skin can affect everyday situations involving furry animal, animal skin, leather and hide. It may lead to scanning surroundings, avoiding places where the animal might appear, asking other people to check or deal with it, or leaving suddenly when one is seen.

Possible triggers

Being near a furry animal, touching a fur-trimmed item or encountering an animal-skin display.

Name origin

From Greek dora (skin) and -phobia.

A fear of animals can affect everyday situations involving being bitten, wild animals, animal attack and zoo animals. It may lead to scanning surroundings, avoiding places where the animal might appear, asking other people to check or deal with it, or leaving suddenly when one is seen.

Possible triggers

Examples include visiting someone who keeps pets, entering a zoo or watching animals in a nature documentary. The particular animals involved vary from person to person.

Name origin

From Greek zōon (animal) and -phobia.