The Phobia Library
Explore by category, or search for a fear by name
Nothing here opens with a frightening picture. Pages are text-first, written in plain language, and never describe you as irrational.
Many internet phobia lists contain informal, humorous, obsolete or invented terms. Every entry here is labelled: recognized diagnostic category, commonly used descriptive name, informal internet term, or a fear experience that may belong to another condition.
- AbandonmentFear experience — may belong to another condition
- Authority figuresCommonly used descriptive name
- BalloonsCommonly used descriptive name
- BeardsInformal internet term
- Bees and waspsRecognized diagnostic category
- Being aloneFear experience — may belong to another condition
- Being home aloneRecognized diagnostic category
- Being judgedCommonly used descriptive name
- Being seen or knownFear experience — may belong to another condition
- Being watchedCommonly used descriptive name
- BirdsRecognized diagnostic category
- BloodRecognized diagnostic category
- BridgesRecognized diagnostic category
- Bright lightsCommonly used descriptive name
- ButtonsInformal internet term
- CatsRecognized diagnostic category
- Certain smellsCommonly used descriptive name
- Certain texturesCommonly used descriptive name
- ChangeFear experience — may belong to another condition
- ChokingRecognized diagnostic category
- ClownsCommonly used descriptive name
- Clusters of holes or patternsCommonly used descriptive name
- CommitmentFear experience — may belong to another condition
- ConflictCommonly used descriptive name
- Costumes or masksCommonly used descriptive name
- CriticismFear experience — may belong to another condition
- CrowdsRecognized diagnostic category
- DarknessRecognized diagnostic category
- DatingCommonly used descriptive name
- DeathRecognized diagnostic category
- Deep waterRecognized diagnostic category
- DentistsRecognized diagnostic category
- DogsRecognized diagnostic category
- DollsInformal internet term
- DreamsInformal internet term
- DrivingRecognized diagnostic category
- EarthquakesRecognized diagnostic category
- Eating in publicCommonly used descriptive name
- ElevatorsRecognized diagnostic category
- EmbarrassmentCommonly used descriptive name
- Enclosed spacesRecognized diagnostic category
- EscalatorsRecognized diagnostic category
- FailureFear experience — may belong to another condition
- FaintingRecognized diagnostic category
- Falling in loveFear experience — may belong to another condition
- FireRecognized diagnostic category
- FishRecognized diagnostic category
- FlyingRecognized diagnostic category
- ForestsRecognized diagnostic category
- FrogsRecognized diagnostic category
- GermsRecognized diagnostic category
- HappinessFear experience — may belong to another condition
- HeightsRecognized diagnostic category
- HorsesRecognized diagnostic category
- HospitalsRecognized diagnostic category
- IllnessRecognized diagnostic category
- InjuryRecognized diagnostic category
- InterviewsCommonly used descriptive name
- IntimacyFear experience — may belong to another condition
- Large objectsInformal internet term
- Leaving homeRecognized diagnostic category
- Long wordsInformal internet term
- Looking downwardInformal internet term
- Looking upwardInformal internet term
- Losing controlFear experience — may belong to another condition
- Loud noisesCommonly used descriptive name
- Making mistakesFear experience — may belong to another condition
- MannequinsCommonly used descriptive name
- Medical scansRecognized diagnostic category
- MedicationRecognized diagnostic category
- Mice and ratsRecognized diagnostic category
- MirrorsCommonly used descriptive name
- MountainsRecognized diagnostic category
- NeedlesRecognized diagnostic category
- NumbersInformal internet term
- Open waterRecognized diagnostic category
- Particular colorsInformal internet term
- Phone callsCommonly used descriptive name
- Pregnancy and childbirthRecognized diagnostic category
- Public bathroomsRecognized diagnostic category
- Public speakingRecognized diagnostic category
- Public transportationRecognized diagnostic category
- RejectionCommonly used descriptive name
- ResponsibilityFear experience — may belong to another condition
- RobotsInformal internet term
- SharksRecognized diagnostic category
- SirensCommonly used descriptive name
- SleepInformal internet term
- Sleeping away from homeRecognized diagnostic category
- Small objectsInformal internet term
- SnakesRecognized diagnostic category
- Specific foodsInformal internet term
- SpidersRecognized diagnostic category
- StatuesInformal internet term
- StormsRecognized diagnostic category
- SuccessFear experience — may belong to another condition
- SurgeryRecognized diagnostic category
- Thunder and lightningRecognized diagnostic category
- TimeInformal internet term
- TunnelsRecognized diagnostic category
- VomitingRecognized diagnostic category
- WindRecognized diagnostic category
- WormsRecognized diagnostic category
- Writing in front of othersCommonly used descriptive name