Phobias aren’t just about being “scared” of something. Those intense, sometimes crippling fears can feel impossible to overcome. But what if those phobias aren’t as random as they seem? Could they actually offer clues about our deepest anxieties and the unique ways our minds work? Here are some of the most common phobias and explore how they might reflect hidden aspects of your personality.
1. Fear of darkness
Your intense fear of darkness that causes you to keep lamps on your nightstand might have more to do with the things you can’t see in life that worry you. For example, maybe you worry about being left in the dark, so to speak, by not knowing what people are saying behind your back. Loving horror movies might also be to blame here! You might fear monsters creeping out from under your bed.
2. Fear of public speaking
Known as glossophobia, a fear of public speaking is very common. When you have to stand up in front of a crowd, you might feel shaky or breathless, and perhaps even have a panic attack. This fear could point to a deep need to stay in your comfort zone and avoid risks.
3. Fear of clowns
If you’re terrified of clowns, this says a lot about your personality. Clowns can look unrealistic and absurd, so you could be afraid of things that aren’t honest. Research has also found that a fear of clowns is associated with being afraid of unpredictable behavior.
4. Fear of water
Maybe you’re afraid to swim in the ocean because you’re afraid of drowning, but what’s at the heart of this fear? It could be that you’re worried about feeling helpless in life, because what’s more terrifying than being lost at sea, right?
5. Fear of failure
If you fear failure, this can hold you back in life, such as by causing you to avoid opportunities. But, a fear of failure can also be linked to a fear of not getting others’ approval or not being perfect.
6. Fear of germs
When someone sneezes or coughs, you want to run for the closest exit. You’re a clean freak who’s always scrubbing down counters and mopping floors in your house. A phobia of germs can be tied to what’s known as disgust sensitivity, meaning that you get anxious when you’re surrounded by things that are untidy or messy.
7. Fear of crowds
When you’re surrounded by people in a crowd, it causes you anxiety. Maybe you even avoid crowds, such as at concerts or events, because it makes you feel terrible. A phobia of crowds is linked to claustrophobia, so maybe you try to avoid being trapped in situations.
8. Fear of heights
©iStock/CoffeeAndMilk
A phobia of heights can be taken quite literally: you fear falling! But, on a deeper level, maybe you feel stressed out when you’re out of control and prefer to be grounded in life. You might display this by playing it safe and sticking to things that make you feel in control.
9. Fear of rejection
Having a strong fear of rejection can be a sign of deeper trauma, such as if your childhood was filled with neglect and rejection from your primary caregivers. Maybe your parents didn’t consider your feelings, and you’ve carried that through your life.
10. Fear of flying
If you have a fear of flying and stepping onto a plane, you’re an imaginative person. You might fear that something bad is going to happen because you let your imagination run away with you.
11. Fear of needles
If you have a fear of needles, this could make you break out in a sweat whenever you need a flu shot or you accompany your friend to get inked. Having a phobia of needles can be linked to medical fears, such as if you’re afraid of getting sick and suffer from medical-related anxiety. You might also have a big fear of getting hurt.
12. Fear of dogs
iStock
You might not feel strong when you’re confronted by a large dog during your morning jog, but your phobia could be a sign that you’re strong and a protector. The reason is that, for our ancestors, a fear of predators was a good survival mechanism to protect themselves from danger.
13. Fear of death
Having an intense fear of death, and maybe even dying alone, can point to having low levels of humility. Researchers have found that when people have more humility, they’re less likely to worry about dying. This is because having a lot of humility encourages more acceptance of the journey of life.
14. Fear of enclosed spaces
Being afraid of small spaces, or claustrophobia, is usually linked to a desire to escape. Maybe you want to have greater freedom in your life and you’re afraid of being censored or restricted.
15. Fear of storms
Known as astraphobia, a fear of storms is more than just about the weather. It highlights how you might have a tendency to catastrophize, which is rooted in low self-esteem. When you don’t have high self-esteem, you feel powerless. The weather is something you can’t control, so it makes sense that it would cause you to stress out.
Enjoy this piece? Give it a like and follow Bolde on MSN for more!
