Wild animals are the focus, rather than animals in general.

Possible triggers

Visiting a wildlife setting, encountering a wild animal or anticipating animals during an outdoor trip.

Name origin

Combines Greek-derived agri- (wild), zoo- (animal) and -phobia (fear).

A fear of wind can affect everyday situations involving howling wind, strong wind, windy weather and gusts.

Possible triggers

Hearing wind around the house, feeling a gust outdoors or noticing trees moving in strong wind.

Name origin

From Greek anemos (wind) and -phobia.

This term is used for fear or strong aversion towards wine. Choosing not to drink wine, for any reason, is not itself a phobia.

Possible triggers

Wine being poured at a meal, its smell nearby, or being offered a glass during a social occasion.

Possible name origin

Oeno comes from Greek oinos, meaning wine. Phobia comes from Greek phobos, meaning fear.

A fear of women can affect everyday situations involving talking to women, being around women, group of women and female strangers. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

Being introduced to a woman, sharing a space with women or anticipating an appointment with a female professional.

Name origin

From Greek gynē (woman) and -phobia.

Also known as

Gynephobia

A fear of wood can affect everyday situations involving wooden objects, wood texture, timber and splinters. 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

Handling a wooden utensil, sitting beside exposed timber or entering a room with prominent wooden fittings.

Name origin

From Greek xylon (wood) and -phobia.

A fear of words can affect everyday situations involving speaking words, reading aloud and certain words. 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

Encountering written words, being asked to read aloud or hearing a particular word spoken.

Name origin

From Greek logos (word) and -phobia.

Also known as

Verbophobia

A fear of work or the workplace can affect everyday situations involving going to work, work meeting, office and work. It may lead to putting things off, over-preparing, repeatedly checking, seeking reassurance, or turning down opportunities that feel too exposing.

Possible triggers

Preparing to start a workday, entering the workplace or anticipating a new work assignment.

Name origin

From Greek ergon (work) and -phobia.

A fear of worms or maggots can affect everyday situations involving worms in soil, slimy worm, earthworm and worms. 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

Finding worms while gardening, noticing maggots in waste or seeing a close-up image of either.

Name origin

From Greek skolex (worm) and -phobia.

A fear of writing can affect everyday situations involving writing in public, signing documents, filling forms and handwriting. It may lead to putting things off, over-preparing, repeatedly checking, seeking reassurance, or turning down opportunities that feel too exposing.

Possible triggers

Facing a blank page, completing a handwritten form or being asked to write something for others to read.

Name origin

From Greek graphō (to write) and -phobia.

A fear of yellow can affect everyday situations involving yellow colour, bright yellow, yellow objects and sunflower. 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 yellow clothing, entering a yellow-painted room or handling a yellow object.

Name origin

From Greek xanthos (yellow) and -phobia.