A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

A fear of dolls can affect toy shops, homes, museums and displays containing dolls, mannequins or lifelike figures. It may lead to avoiding certain rooms or places, turning objects away, checking where dolls are positioned or asking other people to remove them.

Possible triggers

Entering a room with displayed dolls, opening a box containing a doll or seeing one in a shop window.

Name origin

From Greek pais (child) and -phobia.

A fear of dreams or nightmares can affect everyday situations involving vivid dreams, bad dream, dreams and nightmares. 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

Remembering a disturbing dream, discussing nightmares or anticipating dreaming when you next sleep.

Name origin

From Greek oneiros (dream) and -phobia.

The act of drinking is the focus of this term.

Possible triggers

Being offered a drink, lifting a cup to your mouth or anticipating drinking during a meal.

Possible name origin

The name may combine a drinking-related root with -phobia (fear). Latin potare means to drink, and Greek potos refers to drinking, but the precise derivation of this name is uncertain.

Dryness is the focus of this descriptive term. The name alone does not identify a particular cause or mean that every warm environment will feel difficult.

Possible triggers

Entering a very dry room, seeing parched ground, or anticipating time in an arid environment.

Possible name origin

Greek xeros means dry or arid and gives the combining form xero. Phobia comes from Greek phobos, fear.

Dust is the focus of the fear; some dictionary definitions also include dirt.

Possible triggers

Noticing dust on furniture, opening a dusty box or anticipating cleaning a neglected space.

Name origin

From Greek amathos (dust) and phobos (fear).

A fear of eating can affect everyday situations involving panic around food, avoid meals, swallowing and mealtime. It may lead to restricting foods, eating very cautiously, checking sensations while swallowing, avoiding meals or relying on a narrow set of familiar choices.

Possible triggers

Sitting down for a meal, taking the first mouthful or being expected to eat during an outing.

Name origin

From Greek sitos (grain or food) and -phobia.

A fear of electricity can affect everyday situations involving electric shock, plug socket, power line and wiring. 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

Plugging in an appliance, approaching electrical equipment or seeing an electrical warning sign.

Name origin

From Greek elektron (amber) and -phobia.

A fear of empty spaces can affect everyday situations involving empty room, large empty hall, abandoned building and wide empty area.

Possible triggers

Entering an unfurnished room, crossing an empty hall or standing in a large space with nobody else around.

Name origin

From Greek kenos (empty) and -phobia.

Also known as

Kenophobia

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