If you're afraid of spiders, then Series 11, Episode 4 of Doctor Who - Arachnids in the UK - was likely not the episode for you. But don't worry, around 10 million people in the UK have this same fear, and there are plenty of stranger phobias out there anyway.
Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who, Series 11 Episode 4 / Photo Credit: BBC Pictures
Here are twelve phobias anyone can understand:
1. Nomophobia
Fear of being without or unable to use your phone
That feeling we all get when we frantically pat ourselves down after getting off the bus only to breathe a sigh of relief when we realise we've slid our phone in a different pocket than usual. Or when we're far from a charging point and our battery's at 4%. Or when there's no Wi-Fi. Or worse - no signal!
2. Allodoxaphobia
Fear of opinions
Millenials are arguably the most opinionated generation so it's unsurprising that there are people out there who have a genuine form of social anxiety relating to opinions. They hate giving opinions or hearing opinions, and it probably stems from not wanting to get into an argument or confrontation.
3. Didaskaleinophobia
Fear of going to school
Plenty of us have or have had this, though it's usually down to another issue such as bullying, scary teachers, agoraphobia etc. On the other hand, there is such a thing as sophophobia which is the fear of knowledge. Still, most parents aren't going to buy this one as an excuse to stay home.
4. Harpaxophobia
Fear of being robbed
This one isn't necessarily anything to do with the assault or danger that might come from being the victim of a robbery, it's more about the violation of someone coming into your home or the empty feeling you might get from having sentimental objects taken from you. It gets even worse when you hear of reported burglaries nearwhere you live.
5. Trypophobia
Fear of small clusters of holes
You've probably never even thought about this as a phobia, and if someone tried to explain it to you, you'd be hella confused. Instead, this is one you have to see to understand. Typical triggers include lotus flower seed pods, strawberries and honeycombs - or any one of the three Photoshopped onto human skin. We defy you not to be creeped out.
6. Rhytiphobia
Fear of getting wrinkles
There's a chance we all know of someone in our lives who has a deep discomfort towards the joys of ageing. Most people don't want to get wrinkles, but there are more people than you think who break out in a cold sweat thinking about it. The most feared wrinkles are those in the facial region.
7. Katagelophobia
Fear of embarrassment
We all say and do embarrassing things from time to time; shame is just a natural part of being human. Those moments make for hilarious anecdotes for most people, but for some of us we just can't bear to think about all those embarrassing situations we've found ourselves in in the past. There are people who will go out of their way to avoid social interaction because of this fear.
8. Glossophobia
Fear of public speaking
A very common one that can either mean fear of talking in front of large crowds on a stage or simply just talking in a social situation. We all get butterflies before a big show, presentation or speech, though, and it all stems from that same fear of ridicule that's in every one of us.
9. Ergophobia
Fear of work
We get a wave of this every Monday morning. Thankfully, we have some hilariously bad jokes to get you through those difficult days. Seriously though, some people are desperately afraid of work, and it's usually related to performance anxiety.
10. Dishabiliophobia
Fear of undressing in front of someone
Another social phobia that's rooted in low self-esteem. It usually affects women and, in an age where the feminine beauty ideal seems to matter, it can seriously affect people's relationships. Some people can't even undress in front of a mirror, and there are people who will only undress and re-dress in the dark.
11. Dentophobia
Fear of dentists
Next time you're in a dentist's waiting room, look around at some of your fellow patients and see if you can spot the dentophobe - there's usually one. Dental work is some of the most invasive of medical procedures, whether you're having surgery or not, and it's really not something you can easily distract yourself from.
12. Anuptaphobia
Fear of staying single
The longer you go without being in a relationship, the more daunting the prospect of being single becomes. People with this phobia will either always make sure they are in a relationship, or simply jump at every opportunity that happens to come along - irregardless of whether or not it's the right choice.
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