Five of the Oddest Phobias

by Howie Decker @HowardTheDeck on December 29, 2011

in Lists

Phobias are irrational by definition, so tagging them with the adjective ‘odd’ can be a bit of overkill. The purpose of this post is not to ridicule or ostracize, but to educate and explore. We all like to explore things we don’t understand, right?

Anatidaephobia – The Fear That You are Being Watched by a Duck

This real phobia is defined as a pervasive, irrational fear that one is being watched by a duck. A person who suffers from this phobia fears that no matter where they are or what they are doing, a duck watches. I guess it would be a tad off-putting to have a duck watch your every move.

Chronomentrophobia – Fear of clocks

 

It would stand to reason that many people fear the clock in various ways. Those of us who are pressed by deadlines fear the clock’s unwavering march toward zero hour. Others who have boring or tedious occupations might fear the slow crawl of the clock. That being said- there are some folks who just plain fear the clock itself. Maybe it’s the way it just hangs there and stares at you. Around 10:10, it does kind of look like a menacing set of eyebrows making a ‘V’ atop an unforgiving face. It could be that it sees everything, and some are afraid it will be offended by their actions? I guess anything that has a face must have feelings, right?

 

Ephebiphobia – Fear of teenagers

 

I used to teach high school. This one is legit.

 

Phobophobia – Fear of phobias

 

You had to know this was coming. Wikipedia provided this list of symptoms on its Phobophobia page:

  1. Dizziness
  2. Heart Pounding
  3. Sweating
  4. Slight paresthesia
  5. Tension
  6. Hyperventilation
  7. Angst
  8. Faintness
  9. Avoidance
  10. Loss of bowel movement
  11. Loss of all bowel control
  12. Alienation of close friends/relatives
  13. An excess of perspiration in ear, nose, and throat

Number 11 is pretty much where it takes a sharp left turn. And I guess number 12 is to be expected after a couple number 11s.

 

Venustraphobia – Fear of beautiful women

Really just included this one as an excuse to put a picture of someone we love here. Enjoy.

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