Liputan6.com, Jakarta Everyone is afraid of something, and fear is a natural part of life. Some fears make sense, like being afraid of heights or wild animals. But some fears are so unusual that they sound almost unbelievable. These strange phobias can be surprising, funny, or even confusing, yet they are very real to the people who experience them.
Here are some weird phobias you may have never heard of before:
1. Plutophobia
Plutophobia is the fear of money or wealth. People with this phobia may feel anxious when they talk about money or when they earn more income. They might even avoid becoming rich because they are afraid of greed or responsibility. This fear can come from negative experiences with money or pressure to stay humble.
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2. Arachibutyrophobia
This unusual phobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. It may sound funny, but it can cause real panic for some people. Those who suffer from this phobia often avoid eating peanut butter or other sticky foods. The fear may be linked to a fear of choking or losing control while eating.
3. Ablutophobia
Ablutophobia is the fear of bathing or washing. People who have this phobia might avoid showers, baths, or even washing their hands. It can happen to both children and adults, often caused by a past traumatic event or anxiety disorder. This fear can affect a person’s hygiene and make daily life more difficult.
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4. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
Despite its long and funny name, this phobia is actually the fear of long words. People who suffer from it may feel nervous when they read or hear long words. The fear can cause sweating, shaking, or even panic attacks. It’s ironic because the word for this phobia is one of the longest words in the dictionary.
5. Vestiphobia
Vestiphobia is the fear of clothing. People with this fear might feel trapped or uncomfortable wearing certain types of clothes. The fear could be caused by tight clothing, bad past experiences, or even allergies to fabric. This phobia can make it difficult to dress normally or go out in public.
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6. Ergophobia
Ergophobia is the fear of work or the workplace. It is not simply laziness—people with this phobia often experience extreme stress when they think about working. It can come from anxiety about failure, harsh bosses, or bad experiences at work. This fear can make it very hard for someone to keep a job.
7. Doraphobia
Doraphobia is the fear of animal fur. People with this phobia may feel afraid or disgusted when they touch or see fur. It can be caused by allergies, bad experiences with animals, or general fear of germs. Because of this fear, they often avoid pets or clothing made from fur.
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8. Nomophobia
Nomophobia is the fear of being without your mobile phone. Many people today feel anxious when they forget or lose their phone, but for some, this fear is very strong. People with nomophobia may check their phones constantly and feel panic if the battery dies or there is no signal.
9. Omphalophobia
Omphalophobia is the fear of belly buttons. People with this phobia often dislike touching their own or seeing someone else’s belly button. The fear may come from a feeling that the belly button is dirty or sensitive. Some people even avoid wearing clothes that show their stomach.
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10. Phobophobia
Phobophobia is the fear of phobias themselves. People who have this fear worry that they might develop a new phobia or face something that scares them. This can lead to constant anxiety and stress. It is often linked to other anxiety disorders and can make daily life very difficult.