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

The fear can concern faeces or the act of passing stools, rather than dirt in general.

Possible triggers

Using a toilet for a bowel movement, encountering animal droppings or anticipating cleaning soiled material.

Name origin

Copro- comes from Greek kopros (dung); phobos means fear.

Also known as

Scatophobia

A fear of failure can affect everyday situations involving getting it wrong, making mistakes, failing and failure. It may lead to putting things off, over-preparing, repeatedly checking, seeking reassurance, or turning down opportunities that feel too exposing.

Possible triggers

Starting a task with an uncertain outcome, entering a competition or submitting work for assessment.

Name origin

From Greek atychia (misfortune or failure) and -phobia.

Also known as

Kakorrhaphiophobia

A fear of falling in love can affect everyday situations involving getting close, romantic attachment, emotional intimacy and falling in love. It may lead to avoiding intimacy or difficult conversations, pulling back from relationships, seeking reassurance, or making choices primarily to prevent the feared emotional or physical situation.

Possible triggers

Realising you are developing romantic feelings, receiving an expression of affection or becoming emotionally close to someone.

Name origin

From Greek philos (loving) and -phobia.