A fear of loose hair can affect grooming, showers, cleaning, clothing and shared spaces where strands of hair may be seen. It may lead to repeated checking, avoiding touching loose hair, asking other people to clean it away or changing routines to prevent encountering it.

Possible triggers

Finding loose hair in a brush, noticing hair on clothing or clearing hair from a drain.

Name origin

From Greek thrix (hair) and -phobia.

A fear of losing one’s mind can affect everyday situations involving thoughts of going insane, losing control, thoughts of losing your mind and mental breakdown. It may lead to monitoring thoughts and mental sensations, seeking reassurance, avoiding information or situations that trigger the fear, or trying hard to suppress particular thoughts.

Possible triggers

Reading about loss of mental control or interpreting an unfamiliar thought as a sign of losing your mind.

Name origin

From Greek lyssa (madness) and -phobia.

Also known as

Maniaphobia

A fear of loud noises can affect everyday situations involving loud noise, sudden bang, fireworks and alarm. 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

Anticipating amplified sound at an event, hearing a loud appliance or being near raised voices.

Name origin

From Greek phōnē (sound) and -phobia.

Also known as

Acousticophobia

A fear of machines can affect everyday situations involving factory equipment, mechanical device, machine and engine. 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

Standing near operating machinery, switching on a mechanical device or entering a workshop.

Name origin

From Greek mechane (machine) and -phobia.

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 making decisions can affect everyday choices, work, relationships and situations with several possible options. It may lead to postponing decisions, repeatedly checking pros and cons, asking others to choose or seeking reassurance that you have made the right choice.

Possible triggers

Choosing between job offers, selecting from several options or being asked to make a decision on the spot.

Name origin

From Latin decidere (to decide) and -phobia.

A fear of marriage or commitment can affect everyday situations involving long term relationship, settling down, wedding and engagement. 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

Discussing marriage, being asked about a shared future or considering a long-term relationship commitment.

Name origin

From Greek gamos (marriage) and -phobia.

A fear of masks can affect costume events, performances, celebrations and situations where faces are covered. It may lead to avoiding masked people, leaving events early, keeping extra distance or feeling unable to relax when someone’s face cannot be fully seen.

Possible triggers

Someone putting on a mask, entering a costume shop or attending an event with masked performers.

Name origin

From English mask with -phobia.

A fear of meat can affect everyday situations involving cooking meat, raw meat, animal flesh and butcher. It may lead to restricting foods, checking ingredients or preparation, avoiding meals, shops or restaurants, or relying heavily on familiar choices.

Possible triggers

Passing a meat counter, seeing meat being prepared or being served a meat dish.

Name origin

From Latin caro (flesh) and -phobia.

A fear of medication can make starting or following a treatment plan feel difficult. 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 new treatment plan or anticipating a change to an established care routine.

Name origin

From Greek pharmakon (drug) and -phobia.