Six Weird Phobias That Are Diagnosable And Treatable

Developing a fear of something is completely alright. But when it turns irrational, it becomes a ‘phobia.’ A phobia is any strange yet intensely terrifying thought that occurs towards persons, objects, activities, or situations. Did you know that you can inherit or acquire them over time? During phobias, the main symptom is the ‘excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the object of fear.’

Talk to people suffering from such bizarre phobias. They will tell you how distressing life can be for their inability to control unexplained behavior that disrupts their normal living. Here’s taking a look at some of the weirdest phobias that are not very uncommon. However, it’s good to keep in mind that these phobias are diagnosable and treatable.

Coulrophobia – Fear Of Clowns

Clowns tend to elicit laughter, but what happens when they become reasons for people to develop an exaggerated fear towards them? One might be under the false belief that children constitute the largest sufferers possibly. Still, a few people have mixed feelings about clowns. This is especially true for those who have had the misfortune of encountering anything personal or related to the media or simply a weird appearance. It might be strange but adults knowing they are coulrophobia have tremendous difficulty overcoming the same.

Ergasiophobia – Fear Of Work

It is a complex, continuous, and debilitating disorder in many people, leading to a psychologically disabled mind and dysfunctional attitude. This phobia never arises by itself. Instead, it is a covert mental health problem like depression or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or any other social anxiety disorder. Individuals suffering from ‘work aversion’ are afraid to seek employment, fearing negative feedback or injuries. This fear can take to new heights if not settled at the beginning. This fear is not only related to manual but non-manual labor work too. Their relations with loved ones take a hit and so does that socialization.

Ablutophobia – Fear Of Washing And Bathing

Children often exhibit strong resistance when bathed and washed, with some adults joining them as well. A rare few of the latter express significant hostility is stepping under a shower, and yes, it is terrifying! Think of the hot summer months and how painful it can be to fear bathing or washing.

However, skipping occasional showers can be great when preserving natural oils or the good bacteria that protect the skin and ward off diseases. If this becomes a regular habit accompanied by the fear factor, health-wise, it is abnormal.

Paraskavedakatriaphobia – Fear Of Friday The 13^th

The belief goes that a Friday falling on the 13th of any month is ominous or a sign of bad luck. The fear is rampant among the English, Portuguese, Polish, Bulgarian cultures too. The fear manifested from this ‘unlucky’ day, called friggatriskaidekaphobia, originating from the Greek words meaning Friday, thirteen, and phobia. Freaky facts about this day are all over folklore and the internet which is exactly why many fear this date. People battling this phobia can find help in therapy, but one cannot say for sure that it is always effective.

Heliophobia – Fear Of Sunlight

Quite a rare one but people are suffering from this strange condition experience difficulty in facing the sun. The heavenly body not only instigates panic and anxiety, but these people are wary of bright lights also.

They fail to see how sunlight is vital for one’s wellbeing helping regulate mood and bone health. Avoiding the sun is next to impossible, provided one is not a vampire, but the sun for such oddballs seems to be a sign of danger.

Geliophobia – Fear Of Laughter

‘Life is better when you are laughing’… several studies reveal that laughter has great health implications. Laughter improves our mental and physical health, besides reducing stress. Apart from that, it also helps you build social bonds. But imagine the plight of people suffering from fear of laughing? It won’t be wrong to say that the anxiety has stemmed when inappropriate situations have caused them to be laughed at by others, which possibly explains this uncanny behavior.

Even when few of these phobias sound absurd yet shocking, some may be extremely funny, yet there is no way to escape people who you stumble upon daily having such odd phobias. The good thing is that mental health experts have an answer for these diagnosable mental disorders. If you are suffering from any of these phobias, contact a psychiatrist.