A fear of examinations can affect everyday situations involving sitting an exam, exam hall, exams and tests. It may lead to putting things off, over-preparing, repeatedly checking, seeking reassurance, or turning down opportunities that feel too exposing.

Possible triggers

Receiving an exam timetable, entering an examination room or opening a test paper.

Name origin

Combines English test with Greek-derived -phobia (fear). Test originally referred to a vessel used to assess precious metals before developing its sense of an examination.

A fear of eyes can affect everyday situations involving seeing eyeballs, touching eye, close up eyes and eye contact. It may lead to self-monitoring, avoiding mirrors, photographs, grooming or close contact, seeking reassurance, or changing social plans because of appearance-related fear.

Possible triggers

Seeing a close-up image of an eye, anticipating an eye examination or noticing someone touch their eye.

Name origin

From Greek omma (eye) and -phobia.

Also known as

Ommatophobia

The focus is female genital anatomy, rather than sexual intimacy in general.

Possible triggers

Encountering genital imagery, discussing intimate anatomy or anticipating an intimate situation.

Possible name origin

One suggested derivation links the name to Greek Eurotas, used figuratively for the vulva, together with -phobia (fear). The exact formation of this name is uncertain.

Also known as

Kolpophobia

Freedom itself is the focus of this term.

Possible triggers

Being given unrestricted choice, leaving a highly structured setting or having to decide your own direction.

Name origin

From Greek eleutheros (free) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of horses can affect everyday situations involving being kicked by a horse, horse riding, galloping and horse. 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

Passing a horse on a path, visiting stables or being invited to approach a horse.

Name origin

From Latin equus (horse) and -phobia.

Also known as

Hippophobia

A fear of insects can affect everyday situations involving crawling insect, flying insect, bugs and flies. 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 spotting an insect indoors, anticipating insects during a park visit or seeing close-up insect images online or on television.

Name origin

From Greek entomon (insect) and -phobia.

Also known as

Insectophobia

A fear of intense happiness can affect everyday situations involving overwhelming happiness, intense joy, emotional high and excitement. 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

Noticing a surge of excitement, experiencing intense joy or anticipating a highly emotional celebration.

Name origin

From Greek euphoria (well-being) and -phobia.

A fear of knowledge can affect everyday situations involving finding out, learning, studying and information. 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

Being offered new information, starting a course or anticipating learning something you would rather not know.

Name origin

From Greek episteme (knowledge) 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 mirrors can affect everyday situations involving mirrored room, seeing reflection, mirror and reflection. 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

Passing a large mirror, entering a mirrored lift or seeing your reflection unexpectedly.

Name origin

From Greek katoptron (mirror) and -phobia.

Also known as

Eisoptrophobia, Spectrophobia