Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An abnormal and persistent fear of nudity is called gymnophobia. Sufferers of this phobia experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. They may worry about seeing others naked or being seen naked, or both. Their fear may stem from anxiety about sexuality in general, from a fear that their bodies are physically inferior, or from…

Thermophobia. An abnormally excessive and persistent fear of heat, including hot weather and hot objects. Sufferers from this fear experience anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. To avoid heat, they may live in a cold climate, wear light clothing, stay indoors on warm days, and avoid hot water and hot foods. Thermophobia is…

An abnormal and persistent fear of fur is called doraphobia. Sufferers of this fear avoid fur-bearing animals such as dogs, cats, foxes, beavers and rabbits because fur is repulsive to them. Perhaps some of these phobics associate fur with childhood stories about “the big bad wolf” and other fur-bearing predators. Their fear is not always unfounded, for many furry animals…

An abnormal and persistent fear of feces (bowel waste). Sufferers of this fear experience anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. They go out of their way to avoid coming into contact with feces or sometimes even seeing feces. Fear of feces is termed “coprophobia,” a word derived from the Greek “kopros” (dung) and “phobos”…

An abnormal and persistent fear of dust. Sufferers of this fear experience anxiety even though they realize dust poses no threat. Fear of dust is termed “amathophobia,” a word derived from the Greek “amathos” (sand) and “phobos” (fear).

An abnormal and persistent fear of drinking alcohol. Sufferers of this fear experience undue anxiety about addiction to alcohol and the effect this addiction can have on their body. (However, their abstinence from alcohol certainly should not be criticized.) Fear of alcohol is termed “dipsophobia,” a word derived from the Greek “dipsa” (thirst) and “phobos” (fear). “Dipsa” is…

An abnormal and persistent fear of evil supernatural beings in persons who believe such beings exist and roam freely to cause harm. Those who suffer from this phobia realize their fear is excessive or irrational. Nevertheless, they become unduly anxious when discussing demons, when venturing alone into woods or a dark house, or when watching…

Abnormal and persistent fear of crossing streets, highways and other thoroughfares; fear of thoroughfares themselves. Sufferers experience anxiety even though they realize that streets, highways and other thoroughfares pose no threat commensurate with their fear. Fear of crossing streets is termed “agyrophobia,” a word derived from the Greek “gyrus” (turning or whirling) and the Greek “phobos”…

An abnormal and persistent fear of babies and children. Sufferers experience anxiety even though they realize their fear is groundless. Rearing a child or being around active children can both produce anxiety. Fear of children is termed “pedophobia,” a word derived from the Greek “pais” (child) and “phobos” (fear). Related terms include: androphobia, an abnormal and…

An abnormal and persistent fear of growing old is termed gerascophobia. Sufferers of gerascophobia feel undue anxiety about aging even though they may be in good health — physically, economically and otherwise. They may worry about the loss of their looks, the loss of independence, inactivity after retirement, impaired mobility, the onset of disease, and confinement in a…