Phobias (experiencing irrational fears) aren’t as uncommon as one might think. Lots of people experience them, and some are stranger than others. So we did some digging and found what many consider the most unusual phobias ever.
You may be wondering if you or a person you love is experience one or more of them. So here, then, is the list along with some interesting facts about each phobia.
1. Fear of Paper (Papyrophobia)
This phobia affects people in different ways. Some are only afraid of blank paper, others of torn paper or wet paper. Actress Megan Fox has admitted to a fear of dry paper. This phobia can be especially difficult to deal with because paper is everywhere and unavoidable.
2. Fear of Bathing (Ablutophobia)
Ablutophobia is the overwhelming fear of bathing, cleaning, or washing. It’s an anxiety disorder that falls under the category of specific phobias. And yes, it affects humans, but the dog in the picture seems a bit anxiety-ridden by it, as well.
3. Fear of the Sun (Heliophobia)
If you have a medical reason for staying out of the sun, are concerned about skin cancer risks or have a normal aversion to getting sunburned, you may stay out of the sun as a precaution, — that’s NOT heliophobia. Heliophobia is an anxiety disorder. It comes from the word “Helios” (the Greek sun God) and is an intense, irrational fear of the sun. It can involve extreme anxiety of getting skin cancer, or an overwhelming fear of wrinkling and photoaging.
While a lot of those concerns don’t seem too strange, like with other phobias, the reaction here is way beyond normal.