35 unusual phobias you never knew existed

While you look forward to sinking into a comfy chair after a long day, some people experience the fear of sitting down. While phobias can sometimes severely disrupt daily life, there’s something to be said for not sitting for long periods of time. Harvard Medical School experts warn about the dangers of prolonged sitting, stating that “habitual inactivity raises risks for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, deep-vein thrombosis and metabolic syndrome.”

A fancy necklace doesn’t usually impress everyone – especially those with the fear of gold. They could have panic attacks with nausea, sweating, or an irregular heartbeat when they see someone else wearing the metal.

Home might be where the heart is for some, but others have the fear of returning home. These people might have experienced abuse there. Or, they may fear that others will view their return as a failure. Sadly, returning home may truly up negativity and family discord. A study published in a 2018 issue of the journal Social Science & Medicine states that children who return home may alter a parent’s quality of life. This is probably because parents became used to independence after their children left. Therefore, when children enter the picture again, it can upset the dynamic.

Also known as venustraphobia, the fear of beautiful women goes way beyond nervousness or intimidation around someone pretty. Those with a phobia might feel chest pain, get numbness in the extremities, or faint when around a woman they consider attractive.

For nomophobiacs, going without their phone causes extreme anxiety.

But not having a mobile phone may not be so bad; here are 13 ways your mobile phone affects your body and mind.

Combining two not uncommon anxieties – the fear of death and the taboo on cannibalism – kinemortohobiacs have a real phobia of the fictional creatures that are generally found only in horror movies (or nightmares).

This is one phobia that can be particularly disruptive: Somniphobia is the fear of sleep. Sleep is associated with many health benefits. For example, the Mayo Clinic notes that lack of sleep increases your risk of developing colds. Even worse, a lack of adequate sleep on a long-term basis is associated with a greater risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

If sleep is not your friend, try these weird tricks to help you nod off. 

That toddler sitting on Santa’s lap isn’t freaking out over the stranger hugging her; she may have Pogonophobia, the fear of beards. No wonder TV villains are always stroking theirs.

Neophobiacs feel anxious about new life experiences. For example, a departure from their cereal-eating breakfast routine may be bothersome. Another fearful feeling may involve meeting friends at a different coffee shop instead of the usual corner cafe. New experiences, no matter how large or small, can create serious fear and anxiety.

Play these 6 simple games for a happy, resilient brain. 

If you have metrophobia, your favourite love poem might sound like this: ‘Roses are terrifying. Violets are terrifying. Sugar is terrifying. I hate poems.’ Metrophobia is the fear of poetry.