The concern centres on illness passed down through a family.

Possible triggers

Hearing about a relative's diagnosis, discussing family medical history or anticipating a hereditary-risk assessment.

Possible name origin

The name may relate to Greek words for what is ancestral or inherited, together with -phobia (fear). The precise derivation of this spelling is uncertain.

Also known as

Patriophobia

This descriptive name concerns fear or aversion around kissing or being kissed. Not wanting to kiss someone is a valid boundary and does not itself indicate a phobia.

Possible triggers

Anticipating a kiss during a date, a greeting that involves kissing, or someone leaning in towards the face.

Name origin

Greek philema refers to a kiss. Its philemat form is joined to phobia, from Greek phobos, fear.

A fear of leaves can affect everyday situations involving fallen leaves, leaf piles, autumn leaves and dry leaves. It may lead to avoidance, checking, reassurance-seeking or changing everyday routines so that contact with the trigger feels less likely.

Possible triggers

Walking through fallen leaves, handling leafy branches or finding a leaf on clothing.

Name origin

From Greek phyllon (leaf) and -phobia.

The concern is becoming infested with lice, rather than insects in general.

Possible triggers

Hearing about a lice outbreak, checking hair for lice or reading information about infestation.

Name origin

From Latin pediculus (louse) and Greek phobos (fear).

Also known as

Phthiriophobia

A fear of loud noises can affect everyday situations involving loud noise, sudden bang, fireworks and alarm. 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

Anticipating amplified sound at an event, hearing a loud appliance or being near raised voices.

Name origin

From Greek phōnē (sound) and -phobia.

Also known as

Acousticophobia

A fear of medication can make starting or following a treatment plan feel difficult. 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 a new treatment plan or anticipating a change to an established care routine.

Name origin

From Greek pharmakon (drug) and -phobia.

A fear of neglecting responsibilities can affect everyday situations involving letting people down, forgetting tasks, missing responsibilities and guilt about tasks. It may lead to putting things off, over-preparing, repeatedly checking, seeking reassurance, or turning down opportunities that feel too exposing.

Possible triggers

Leaving home without checking a task, handing over a responsibility or wondering whether an important duty was missed.

Name origin

From Greek paralipō (to neglect) and -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 paper can affect everyday situations involving handling paper, documents, paper cut and paperwork. 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

Handling a stack of documents, opening paper packaging or being asked to write on paper.

Name origin

From Greek papyros (paper) and -phobia.

Parasites as a group are the concern, rather than only worms or mites.

Possible triggers

Seeing a parasite illustration, reading about infestation or worrying about contact with a parasite.

Name origin

The name combines parasite with phobia, from Greek phobos (fear).