Phobias are frightening. But some phobias can be weird, bizarre, and even funny. From Anatidaephobia (fear of being watched by a duck) to Chronophobia (fear of time), here we combine a list of the world’s weird phobias.
Key points
1. Anatidaephobia: fear of being watched by a duck
“Anatidae” is the Greek word for ducks, swans and geese. Anatidaephobia is the weird fear of being watched by a duck. The victims of Anatidaephobia, no matter wherever they are or whatever they are doing, feel that a duck is watching them.
This weird phobia usually grows during childhood. Ducks and geese are famous for their aggressive nature. It is believed that a fear of these creatures during childhood, as a result of biting or flapping, can result in the development of Anatidaephobia.
2. Stasibasiphobia: Fear of Walking
Stasibasiphobia is the constant fear of walking or standing. It is a type of social phobia. The term covers a number of fears related to movement. People suffering from stasibasiphobia may be afraid of falling, being attacked, or walking alone at night or in a crowd.
3. Chronophobia: Fear of Time
Chronophobic people cope with a fear of time. The term is derived from Chronos,” meaning time. Chronophobia is usually developed in people suffering from great stress. That is why it is most common in prisoners and old people. Chronophobia gives the feeling that events are moving too fast. This feeling causes severe anxiety and panic. In more serious cases, shortness of breath, shaking, and depression are experienced.
4. Gamophobia: Fear of Marriage
Does the idea of marriage make you dizzy? If yes, then you may be a victim of Gamophobia, the fear of marriage. A gamophobic person may usually have no problem in a long term relationship but is afraid of the idea of marriage. Such people experience heartache and anxiety as the subject of marriage is brought up and try everything to avoid it. It is one of the major symptoms of the phobia.
Like many phobias, Gamophobia has its roots in childhood. In the case of gamophobia, it is possible that the victim was raised in a broken house. Where the parents were divorced or not married. Such tensions may develop into a mental condition known as Gamophobia.
5. Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth
Arachibutyrophobia is defined as the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. If you’re coping with this weird phobia, then you would definitely want to avoid any situation where you have to eat peanut butter. Peanut butter comes with sticky-gel-type properties. Since the roof of the mouth is drier than the rest of the mouth, peanut butter sticks here more easily.
When the butter gets stuck, you’re unable to get it out in public. Thus, the discomfort develops into a real phobia. The symptoms include nausea, shaking, dizziness, and sweating. Some people are so scared that they even fear the sight of a glass jar.
