Being tied up or physically restrained is the focus of this term. It is different from a general dislike of small spaces, and genuine threats to safety or consent should not be dismissed.

Possible triggers

Seeing a restraint being fastened, watching a scene in which someone is tied up, or anticipating being unable to move freely.

Name origin

The Greek component merinth refers to a cord, line or string. Phobia comes from Greek phobos, fear.

A fear of being buried alive can affect everyday situations involving buried alive, being unable to get out of a coffin, coffin and burial. It may lead to repeated rumination, reassurance-seeking, avoiding reminders or conversations, or finding it difficult to stay present because attention is pulled towards the feared idea.

Possible triggers

Seeing a coffin, discussing burial or encountering a story about someone being buried alive.

Name origin

From Greek taphos (grave) and -phobia.

Also known as

Taphephobia

A fear of being forgotten or ignored can affect relationships, messages, social plans and periods when other people are unavailable. It may lead to repeated checking, reassurance-seeking, difficulty being alone or interpreting ordinary gaps in contact as a sign that you have been forgotten.

Possible triggers

Not receiving a reply, being left out of an invitation or worrying that someone important has forgotten you.

Name origin

Derived from Greek athazō (to forget) with -phobia.

A fear of being laughed at can affect conversations, groups, social events and situations where humour or teasing might arise. It may lead to staying quiet, avoiding attention, replaying interactions or withdrawing because laughter feels as though it could be directed at you.

Possible triggers

Hearing laughter during a conversation, being teased or worrying that a group is laughing at you.

Name origin

From Greek gelos (laughter) and -phobia.

A tall building or mountain can feel frightening from nearby, even without climbing it.

Possible triggers

Standing beside a tower, walking beneath a tall building or approaching a very high structure.

Name origin

Uses the Greek walking or stepping root found in bainein, together with -phobia (fear). The name refers to fear when passing near tall structures.

A fear of being photographed or filmed can affect everyday situations involving being photographed, being filmed, video recording and on camera. It may lead to avoiding interaction, rehearsing what to say, monitoring other people’s reactions, or replaying encounters afterwards.

Possible triggers

Someone raising a camera, joining a group photograph or being asked to appear in a video.

Name origin

From Latin camera (chamber) and -phobia.

The feared event is receiving a scratch or having the skin scratched.

Possible triggers

Being near an animal's claws, handling something rough or anticipating an activity you associate with scratches.

Name origin

From Greek amyche (a scratch) and phobos (fear).

A fear of being touched can affect handshakes, hugs, crowded places, healthcare and other situations involving physical contact. It may lead to keeping extra distance, avoiding busy settings, pulling away from unexpected touch or limiting social and relationship choices.

Possible triggers

An offered handshake, an approaching hug or anticipating physical contact in a crowded place.

Name origin

From Greek haptein (to touch) and -phobia.

Also known as

Aphephobia, Haphephobia, Haptephobia, Chiraptophobia, Thixophobia

A fear of being trapped can affect lifts, locked rooms, crowded transport, tunnels and situations where leaving is not immediate. It may lead to checking exits, keeping doors open, avoiding enclosed settings or needing reassurance that you can get out.

Possible triggers

A door becoming stuck, finding an exit blocked or being unable to leave a room when you want to.

Name origin

From Greek kleithron (bar or bolt) and -phobia.

Also known as

Clithrophobia

A fear of being watched can affect public places, work, social situations and moments where you feel visible to other people. It may lead to avoiding attention, monitoring where others are looking, changing how you behave or leaving situations because you feel observed.

Possible triggers

Becoming the focus of a group's attention, noticing someone staring or completing a task while others watch.

Name origin

From Greek skopein (to look at) and -phobia.

Also known as

Scoptophobia, Ophthalmophobia