Updated December 1, 2022 170.5K votes 17.5K voters 193.0K views
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Vote up the phobia that's giving you phobophobia - the fear of catching phobias.
Everyone is afraid of something, whether it be spiders, snakes, or public speaking. Such fears are, however, quite common. Meanwhile there are a plethora of little-known phobias that make the lives of those who are unfortunate enough to have them absolute hell. The worst phobias are fears of things so common, avoiding them is near impossible. Then again, some of the scariest phobias are ones almost everyone has to some degree. The very fears horror movies prey on over and over again.
The most disturbing phobias make day to day life nearly impossible for those afflicted. Certain things and situations others take for granted may be a frightening trigger to a phobia-riddled person, setting off a panic attack or keeping them from leaving their home. The next time you get nervous to speak in front of a crowd, just remember these lesser known phobias and count your blessings.
While fairly irrational by today's standards, in the past there have been cases of those who were wrongly declared dead being buried alive. Safety coffins have even been designed, just in case those inside are in need of rescuing.
Around 5 to 7% of the world's population suffers from the fear of enclosed places. The fear of being unable to escape is often at the center of it. And let's be honest, who isn't afraid of being trapped?
One that Hollywood likes, this fear includes humanoid looking objects such as robots, dolls, and mannequins. It is often triggered by a traumatic experience and isn't far removed from a fear of children, as well.
Films like IT or the latest season of American Horror Story: Cult are best avoided for those with this condition. Those with coulrophobia experience a deep fear of clowns, although who isn't a little freaked out by them?
Most people at some point when they are children suffer from a fear of the dark. However when that fear persists into adulthood, it becomes a phobia. The fear stems from the brain erratically wondering what could happen or be in the darkness itself.
