Comprehensive A-Z List of Phobias
A fear is a normal emotional response to a real or perceived threat. Fear can be helpful because it protects us from danger and usually decreases once the threat is gone.
A phobia is an intense, persistent, and often irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that is out of proportion to the actual danger. A phobia can significantly interfere with daily life, causing a person to avoid the feared object or situation even when little or no real danger exists. Our list of phobias is alphabetized for a quick reference.
Our list includes common and rare phobias. There is also a common element of anxiety and phobias.
Key Differences, List Of Phobias
| Fear | Phobia |
|---|---|
| A normal response to danger | An excessive or irrational response |
| Usually proportional to the actual threat | Out of proportion to the actual threat |
| Temporary and often decreases when the danger passes | Persistent and long-lasting (typically six months or more) |
| May cause discomfort but usually does not disrupt life | Often leads to avoidance and interferes with daily functioning |
| Example: Feeling nervous during a severe thunderstorm | Example: Refusing to leave home because of an overwhelming fear of storms |
Examples of specific phobias include:
For further information, this guide will delve deeper into the List Of Phobias and explore various treatment options available. Gathered by experts you can trust references.
- Agoraphobia – fear of situations where escape may be difficult.
- Acrophobia – fear of heights.
- Arachnophobia – fear of spiders.
In mental health, a fear becomes a phobia when the fear is persistent, excessive, causes significant distress, and leads to avoidance that interferes with a person’s daily life, relationships, or functioning.
In addition, it’s important to recognize how anxiety levels can affect individuals facing the List Of Phobias. Another topic would be “what causes phobias”.
Questions we will Answer:
What are the 20 most common phobias?
What is the difference between a fear and a phobia?
What are the 10 most common fears?
By Jaye Kelly-Johnston, LPC, PHD©
What This Guide Covers
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A comprehensive A–Z list of common and lesser-known phobias
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Simple definitions for each
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Links to symptoms and treatment options
- phobias and phobiarelated disorders
What Is a Phobia?
A phobia is an intense, persistent fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance and distress. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder and are highly treatable with the right support.
A–Z List of Phobias
A
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Acrophobia – Fear of heights
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Aerophobia – Fear of flying
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Agoraphobia – Fear of situations where escape may be difficult
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Arachnophobia – Fear of spiders
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Astraphobia – Fear of storms
B
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Bacteriophobia – Fear of bacteria
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Bibliophobia – Fear of books
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Brontophobia – Fear of thunder
C
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Claustrophobia – Fear of enclosed spaces
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Coulrophobia – Fear of clowns
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Cynophobia – Fear of dogs
D
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Dentophobia – Fear of dentists
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Dystychiphobia – Fear of accidents
E
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Emetophobia – Fear of vomiting
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Entomophobia – Fear of insects
F
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Fear of flying – See Aerophobia
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Fear of failure (Atychiphobia) – Fear of failing
G
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Glossophobia – Fear of public speaking
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Germophobia (Mysophobia) – Fear of germs
H
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Hemophobia – Fear of blood
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Hydrophobia – Fear of water
I
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Iatrophobia – Fear of doctors
J
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(Few commonly recognized phobias)
K
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Katsaridaphobia – Fear of cockroaches
L
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Lepidopterophobia – Fear of butterflies
M
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Mysophobia – Fear of germs
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Monophobia – Fear of being alone
N
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Nyctophobia – Fear of the dark
O
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Ophidiophobia – Fear of snakes
P
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Panic disorder-related phobias
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Pteromerhanophobia – Fear of flying
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Pyrophobia – Fear of fire
Q
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(Rarely documented phobias)
R
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Radiophobia – Fear of radiation
S
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Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) – Fear of social situations
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Scopophobia – Fear of being watched
T
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Trypanophobia – Fear of needles
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Thanatophobia – Fear of death
U
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Uranophobia – Fear of the sky or heaven
V
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Venustraphobia – Fear of beautiful women
W
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Wailophobia – Fear of whining or crying sounds
X
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Xenophobia – Fear of strangers or the unknown
Y
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(Extremely rare documented phobias)
Z
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Zoophobia – Fear of animals
Common Symptoms of Phobias
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Rapid heartbeat
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Shortness of breath
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Sweating
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Panic or intense anxiety
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Avoidance behaviors
Treatment Options
Phobias are highly treatable using:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Exposure therapy
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Relaxation techniques
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Hypnotherapy (in some cases)
Free Resources
Download our:
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Phobia Symptoms & Triggers Checklist Download Our PDF
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Exposure Therapy Worksheet Download a copy of the PDF
These tools are commonly used by parents, educators, and therapists.
Final Thoughts
While phobias can feel overwhelming, they are one of the most treatable mental health challenges. With the right tools and support, individuals can reduce fear and regain confidence.
About the Author
Intro Video About Our Practice: Kelly-Johnston Counseling, PLLC
Conroe, Texas
Reference Credits
This worksheet was created as a general psychoeducational resource informed by evidence-based principles commonly used in exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Informational References
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American Psychological Association (APA): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Resources.
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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Anxiety Disorders Information.
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Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA): Exposure Therapy Overview.
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Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. Emotional Processing Theory and Exposure Therapy.
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Craske, M. G., et al. Principles of Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders.
Disclaimer
This document is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace professional mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.
I created the Exposure Therapy Worksheet with sections for exposure planning, hierarchy building, reflection, progress tracking, reference credits, and a clinical disclaimer.
Kelly Johnston is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 35 years of experience helping clients overcome anxiety, phobias, and trauma.
https://kellyjohnstoncounseling.com/about/
Our free PDF’s for two worksheets, Phobia Symptoms and Triggers, and a Exposure Therapy Worksheet.
Phobia Symptoms & Triggers Checklist Download Our PDF
Exposure Therapy Worksheet For Fears and Phobias
Major Research and Professional Organizations
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- The leading U.S. federal agency for research on mental disorders.
- Conducts and funds extensive research on anxiety disorders, specific phobias, social anxiety, and fear-related neurobiology.
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- International nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety disorders.
- Supports research, professional education, and dissemination of evidence-based treatments for phobias and anxiety disorders.
- World Health Organization (WHO) Mental Health Program
- Conducts global surveillance and publishes epidemiological data on anxiety disorders and specific phobias.
- Develops international mental health policies and treatment guidelines.
- Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
- A major nonprofit funder of psychiatric and neuroscience research.
- Has invested millions of dollars in anxiety and fear-related research projects.
- American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- Develops diagnostic criteria through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
- Publishes research and clinical guidelines on anxiety disorders and phobias.
Organizations Focused on Specific Anxiety Disorders
- Social Anxiety Association
- Focuses specifically on social anxiety disorder (social phobia).
- Provides educational resources, treatment information, and research references.
Academic and Research Centers
- Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- International center for research and training in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), one of the most effective treatments for phobias and anxiety disorders.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Parent organization of NIMH and one of the world’s largest biomedical research institutions.
- Funds numerous studies on fear conditioning, exposure therapy, and anxiety disorders.
Leading Universities Known for Fear and Phobia Research
- University of Oxford
- King’s College London
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Stanford University
These institutions frequently publish research on fear acquisition, fear extinction, exposure therapy, anxiety disorders, and the neuroscience of phobias.
