A fear of gravity can affect everyday situations involving being pulled down, falling sensation, heavy feeling and pressure. 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

Discussing gravity, watching a demonstration of falling objects or dwelling on the idea of being pulled downwards.

Name origin

From Greek baros (weight) and -phobia.

A fear of plants can affect everyday situations involving garden plants, plant leaves, houseplants and greenery. It may lead to avoidance, checking, reassurance-seeking or changing everyday routines so that contact with the trigger feels less likely.

Possible triggers

Entering a greenhouse, visiting a planted garden or sharing a room with houseplants.

Name origin

From Greek botane (plant) and -phobia.

The feared object is something launched or fired, such as a projectile.

Possible triggers

Seeing a projectile launched, hearing discussion of missiles or watching footage of objects being fired.

Name origin

The name connects ballista (a catapult) with Greek phobos (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

A fear of slime or slimy textures can affect everyday situations involving sticky goo, slimy texture, mucus and slime. It may lead to scanning for the sensation or visual cue, avoiding particular environments or objects, leaving situations early, or arranging surroundings to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Touching a slimy surface, encountering slime during cleaning or being offered food with a slippery texture.

Name origin

From Greek blenna (mucus) and -phobia.

Also known as

Myxophobia

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