10 Phobias Which Are Unusual And Bizarre

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a specific phobia is an "intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger." In the United States, almost 9.1 percent of the adult population had a specific phobia. While 12.2 percent of adult American females were affected by it, 5.8 percent of the males reported it too.

Seen by age groups, 10.3 percent of people aged between 18 to 29 years, as well as those between 45 to 59 years of age, have phobias. Those aged between 30 to 44 years recorded figures of 9.7 percent. The least affected were those aged above 60, with an afflication rate of 5.6 percent.

While 48.1 percent of the adult population claimed their phobias were mild, 30 percent of the people said it was moderate. A further 21.9 percent described theirs as serious.

There are a number of common phobias, such as the fear of snakes or spiders, or being afraid of heights or of flying. But there are also some very unusual ones, and here is a list of 10 weird phobias.

1. Ablutophobia: There are people in this world who detest the idea of a bath or washing in general. Next time you spot a smelly man or someone wearing dirty clothes, it could be more than intentional or intended. Spare a thought.

2. Allodoxaphobia: Derived from the Greek words allo (different), dox (opinions) and phobos (fear), it is the fear of hearing other people’s opinion. A person with this specific phobia may have faced difficulties while dealing with opinions in the past.

3. Arachibutyrophobia: Fears like this one are very specific. If you suffer from arachibutyrophobia, you may well stay away from peanut butter. If you get panic attacks from the thought of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth, you probably have it.

4. Eleutherophobia: For most, freedom is a happy thing. Not for those with this phobia though. People with eleutherophobia can't stand the extra responsibility which comes with freedom.

5. Logophobia: A person suffering from logophobia may be alright while having a conversation but may find life difficult while reading written or printed words. It is generally accompanied by a resistance towards learning how to read.

6. Plutophobia: You surely cannot be afraid of money, but, as it turns out, those with plutophobia are scared of being rich. The word is derived from Pluto, the Roman god of wealth and phobos, the Greek word for fear.

7. Nomophobia: Talk about a very modern phobia and nomophobia is likely to make the list. For the uninitiated, it is the fear of either not having your cell phone around or not being able to use it.

8. Nostophobia: Not everyone abides by the proverb ‘home is where the heart is’. Those with nostophobia fear coming back home.

9. Sesquipedalophobia: People suffering from this phobia fear long words. Maybe the name of this phobia too sends shivers down their spines.

10. Phobophobia: If you are constantly bombarded with thoughts of having a phobia, you are suffering from one. The meta-fear of having a phobia is known as phobophobia.