Dysmorphophobia is another name for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). It involves a distressing preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance that other people may barely notice or not see at all. It is not simply a specific phobia of physical flaws.

Possible triggers

Looking in a mirror, being photographed or anticipating others noticing a feature you are concerned about.

Name origin

The historical name combines Greek dysmorphia (ugliness) with -phobia (fear). It describes a concern about appearance, not a judgement about how someone looks.

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 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 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.

A gathering of people is the focus of the fear, described in dictionaries as fear of crowds or mobs.

Possible triggers

Entering a packed shop, joining a dense queue or travelling through a crowded station.

Name origin

From Greek ochlos (a crowd) and phobos (fear).

Also known as

Demophobia

The focus is dampness or moisture, rather than a particular lake, river or sea.

Possible triggers

Touching damp clothing, entering a moist room or noticing moisture on a surface.

Name origin

Hygro- comes from Greek hygros (wet); phobos means fear.

Dancing is the focus of this descriptive name. The prospect of joining in can feel difficult even when the occasion itself is welcome.

Possible triggers

Being invited onto a dance floor, attending a wedding with dancing, or joining a class where others can watch.

Name origin

The Greek word khoros means dance. The ending phobia comes from Greek phobos, fear.

A fear of darkness can affect everyday situations involving dark room, lights off, pitch black and shadow. It may lead to delaying bedtime, staying alert when tired, changing sleep routines, needing reassurance, or avoiding situations associated with sleep or night-time.

Possible triggers

Examples include switching off the bedroom light, entering a dark cinema, noticing dusk approaching or preparing to sleep in a dark room.

Name origin

From Greek nyx (night) and -phobia.

Also known as

Achluphobia, Noctiphobia, Myctophobia, Scotophobia, Lygophobia

A fear of dawn or daylight can affect everyday situations involving early morning light, morning sky, sunrise and daybreak.

Possible triggers

Noticing the sky brighten before sunrise, waking as daylight enters the room or anticipating dawn.

Name origin

From Greek Eos (goddess of dawn) and -phobia.

A fear of dead bodies or death imagery can affect everyday situations involving funeral home, seeing a dead person, dead body and corpse. 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

Seeing a body at a viewing, encountering death imagery or watching a scene involving a corpse.

Name origin

From Greek nekros (dead) and -phobia.