A–Z list of phobias, fears and their meanings

A fear of going to bed can affect everyday situations involving lying in bed, bedroom at night, night time and going to bed. 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

Beginning the bedtime routine, entering the bedroom for the night or getting into bed.

Name origin

From Greek klinē (bed) and -phobia.

Gold itself is the focus, rather than metals in general.

Possible triggers

Handling gold jewellery, seeing a gold display or being offered a gold item.

Name origin

Combines Latin aurum (gold) with Greek-derived -phobia (fear).

A fear of gravity can affect everyday situations involving being pulled down, falling sensation, heavy feeling and pressure. 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

Discussing gravity, watching a demonstration of falling objects or dwelling on the idea of being pulled downwards.

Name origin

From Greek baros (weight) and -phobia.

A fear of green can affect everyday situations involving green room, green colour, bright green and green paint. 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

Seeing green clothing, entering a green-painted room or handling a green object.

Name origin

From Greek chloros (green) and -phobia.

The worry concerns the condition of the hair, including disease or changes in its colour or growth.

Possible triggers

Noticing a change in your hair, reading about a hair disorder or anticipating a hair-related consultation.

Name origin

From Greek thrix (hair), through tricho-, pathos (suffering), and phobos (fear).

A fear of Halloween can affect everyday situations involving spooky decorations, haunted attraction, October 31 and costumes. 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

Seeing Halloween decorations, receiving a Halloween invitation or encountering costumed visitors.

Name origin

Named after the Celtic festival Samhain, combined with -phobia.

Hands themselves are the focus of this descriptive term. It is not simply another name for disliking touch.

Possible triggers

A close view of someone's hands, a hand reaching towards an object nearby, or photographs that draw attention to hands.

Possible name origin

Chiro is a combining form from Greek kheir, meaning hand. Phobia comes from Greek phobos, fear.

A fear of happiness or joy can affect everyday situations involving things going well, good news, celebration and compliments. It may lead to suppressing feelings, avoiding situations likely to trigger the emotion, monitoring your reactions, or withdrawing from experiences that would otherwise matter to you.

Possible triggers

Feeling happy during a celebration, receiving good news or anticipating an occasion intended to be joyful.

Name origin

From Greek chairō (to rejoice) and -phobia.

The concern is being harmed by a burglar or another person intending harm.

Possible triggers

Hearing about a local burglary, noticing an unexplained noise at home or anticipating being targeted by crime.

Name origin

Combines the Latin root sceler- (crime or wickedness) with Greek-derived -phobia (fear).

The concern can be a headache or migraine attack starting during a pain-free period, or mild headache pain becoming worse.

Possible triggers

Noticing a head sensation, anticipating another headache or planning an activity you associate with previous attacks.

Name origin

Combines cephalalgia (headache) with -phobia (fear). Cephalalgia comes from Greek roots referring to the head and pain.