A fear of numbers can affect everyday situations involving doing sums, mathematics, statistics and numbers. It may lead to monitoring thoughts and mental sensations, seeking reassurance, avoiding information or situations that trigger the fear, or trying hard to suppress particular thoughts.

Possible triggers

Looking at a page of figures, doing a calculation or being asked to work with numbers.

Name origin

From Greek arithmos (number) and -phobia.

Also known as

Numerophobia

The combination of height and an open setting is the focus.

Possible triggers

Standing on an open elevated platform, approaching an exposed viewpoint or looking down from an open height.

Name origin

Combines Greek aer (air), akros (high or topmost) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of open or hard-to-escape public spaces can affect shopping, queues, public transport, busy places and leaving home. It may lead to changing routes, needing an escape plan, relying on another person or gradually avoiding places that feel difficult to leave.

Possible triggers

Examples include leaving home alone, travelling by public transport or visiting a shopping centre when getting away or finding help feels difficult.

Name origin

From Greek agora (public marketplace) and -phobia.

A fear of other people’s opinions can affect everyday situations involving public debate, people sharing views, hearing opinions and disagreement. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

Being offered unsolicited advice, hearing disagreement with your view or being asked to listen to others' opinions.

Name origin

From Greek allos (other) and doxa (opinion) with -phobia.

A fear of pain can affect everyday situations involving painful procedure, chronic pain, injury pain and hurting. It may lead to avoiding movement, treatment or everyday activities because of what might hurt, as well as closely monitoring the body for signs of pain.

Possible triggers

Anticipating a painful procedure, recalling a painful experience or facing an activity you associate with pain.

Name origin

From Greek algos (pain) and -phobia.

A fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth can affect snacks, sandwiches and other sticky foods. It may lead to avoiding peanut butter, taking unusually small bites, repeatedly checking swallowing or restricting foods because of the sensation of something sticking in the mouth.

Possible triggers

Taking a mouthful of peanut butter or anticipating its sticky texture against the roof of your mouth.

Name origin

From Greek arachis (peanut) and Latin butyrum (butter) with -phobia.

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.

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 prospect of ruin is the focus of this fear.

Possible triggers

Discussing a major loss, facing uncertainty about your livelihood or imagining your circumstances collapsing.

Name origin

Combines ate-, referring to ruin or a ruinous impulse, with -phobia (fear).

A fear of sharp objects can affect everyday situations involving sharp edge, pointy object, knife and blade. 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

Examples include being near a knife during food preparation, using scissors or seeing pins and other pointed objects on a work surface.

Name origin

From Greek aichme (point) and -phobia.

Also known as

Belonephobia