A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

A fear of clowns can affect parties, circuses, entertainment venues, advertising and events where a clown might appear. It may lead to checking in advance, avoiding particular events, leaving suddenly or becoming highly alert to clown faces, costumes or make-up.

Possible triggers

Encountering a clown at an event, seeing clown make-up or watching a clown character on screen.

Name origin

Origin uncertain; possibly from Greek kolobatheron (stilt-walker) combined with -phobia.

A fear of clusters of holes can affect everyday situations involving hole pattern, clustered holes, porous texture and small holes. 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

Examples include noticing the clustered holes in a sponge or honeycomb, looking closely at a lotus seed pod or seeing a close-up photograph of these patterns.

Name origin

From Greek trypa (hole) and -phobia.

A fear of cockroaches can affect everyday situations involving kitchen roach, cockroach, roach and infestation. 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

Noticing a cockroach in a room, seeing one move across a floor or encountering close-up footage.

Name origin

From Greek katsarida (cockroach) and -phobia.

A fear of cold temperatures can affect everyday situations involving cold weather, icy air, winter cold and low temperature.

Possible triggers

Stepping outside on a cold morning, entering a chilled room or anticipating a winter journey.

Name origin

From Greek kryos (icy cold) and -phobia.

Also known as

Cheimaphobia, Psychropophobia

A fear of colours can affect everyday situations involving colourful room, bright colours, vivid colours and strong colour. 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

Entering a brightly coloured room, choosing coloured clothing or encountering the particular colour you fear.

Name origin

From Greek chroma (colour) and -phobia.

Also known as

Chromatophobia

A fear of comets can affect everyday situations involving night sky event, comet in the sky, celestial object and comet.

Possible triggers

Reading news about an approaching comet, seeing comet photographs or being invited to observe one.

Name origin

From Greek komētēs (long-haired star) and -phobia.

A fear of computers can affect everyday situations involving online systems, typing, computer and internet. 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

Starting a computer, completing an online form or being asked to use unfamiliar software.

Name origin

From Greek kybernetes (steersman) adapted as cyber- and -phobia.

Also known as

Logizomechanophobia

A fear of constipation can affect everyday situations involving bowel blockage, toilet anxiety, difficulty opening your bowels and constipation. It may lead to monitoring sensations or bodily changes, avoiding particular situations, seeking reassurance, or organising routines around preventing the feared outcome.

Possible triggers

Noticing a change in bowel routine, anticipating difficulty passing stools or reading about constipation.

Name origin

From Greek kopros (dung) and -phobia.

A fear of cooking can affect everyday situations involving meal preparation, using oven, following recipe and kitchen anxiety. It may lead to restricting foods, checking ingredients or preparation, avoiding meals, shops or restaurants, or relying heavily on familiar choices.

Possible triggers

Preparing a meal from a recipe, using cooking equipment or being expected to cook for guests.

Name origin

From Greek mageiros (cook) and -phobia.

A fear of criticism can affect work, relationships, feedback, disagreement and situations where your choices may be evaluated. It may lead to avoiding difficult conversations, over-explaining, seeking reassurance or holding back from opportunities because of what others might say.

Possible triggers

Receiving feedback on your work, attending a review meeting or being told someone wants to discuss a mistake.

Name origin

From Greek eis (into) used in formation with -phobia.