The concern is developing wrinkles, rather than every aspect of growing older.

Possible triggers

Noticing a facial line, looking closely in a mirror or discussing skin ageing.

Name origin

From Greek rhytis (wrinkle) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of germs or contamination can affect touching everyday surfaces, using public places, eating, travel and contact with other people. It may lead to repeated washing or cleaning, checking, reassurance-seeking or avoiding situations that feel contaminated even when ordinary hygiene would be sufficient.

Possible triggers

Touching a shared surface, using a public bathroom or worrying that an object has become contaminated.

Name origin

From Greek mysos (pollution or contamination) and -phobia.

Also known as

Molysmophobia, Rhypophobia, Rupophobia, Germophobia, Verminophobia, Misophobia

A fear of magic or supernatural punishment can affect everyday situations involving supernatural punishment, witchcraft, spell and sorcery. It may lead to avoiding certain places, images, stories or times of day, checking surroundings, seeking reassurance, or staying away from reminders of the feared idea.

Possible triggers

Watching a scene involving a spell, discussing magic or encountering a story about supernatural punishment.

Name origin

From Greek rhabdos (rod or wand) and -phobia.

A fear of moving backwards can affect everyday situations involving reversing car, walking backwards and moving backwards. 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

Taking a step backwards, reversing direction during an activity or anticipating backward movement.

Name origin

From Latin retro (backwards) and -phobia.

A fear of radiation can affect everyday situations involving x-ray, CT scan, nuclear and radioactive. 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 an examination involving radiation, seeing a radiation warning sign or reading radiation-related news.

Name origin

From Latin radius (ray) and -phobia.

A fear of rain can affect everyday situations involving heavy rain, rain noise, downpour and rainstorm.

Possible triggers

Examples include stepping outside into drizzle, seeing heavy rain through a window or checking a forecast that predicts rain during planned activities.

Name origin

From Greek ombros (rain) and -phobia.

A fear of rectal area or examination can affect everyday situations involving rectal exam, anal area and medical examination. 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 rectal examination, seeing an anatomical diagram or anticipating an examination of that area.

Name origin

From Latin rectum and -phobia.

A fear of relocation or change of place can affect everyday situations involving moving house, packing up, new environment and relocation. It may lead to avoiding change, delaying plans, seeking reassurance, or keeping life unusually restricted so that the feared situation is less likely to arise.

Possible triggers

Preparing to move house, changing your usual location or anticipating relocation to an unfamiliar place.

Name origin

From Greek tropos (turn or change) 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).

A fear of remaining still can affect everyday situations involving staying still, not moving, standing still and inactivity. 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

Being asked to stand still, waiting without moving or anticipating a task that requires stillness.

Name origin

From Greek oknos (hesitation) and -phobia.