There’s nothing embarrassing about being scared. Fear is a core part of being a human being, and it protects you from potential risks. That being said, some fears are irrational and make your daily life much harder than it should be. If you’re frightened by butterflies, party balloons, flags, and cotton wool, it’s going to raise some eyebrows if you mention it aloud.
In a fascinating thread on AskReddit, netizens spilled the beans about the rarest phobias they have or that someone they know struggles with. We’ve hand-selected the most bizarre ones to share with you, and you can check them out below. Some of these might sound fake, but they are completely real!
Meanwhile, be sure not to miss Bored Panda's interview with the author of the intriguing thread, u/nitin_is_me, who shared their thoughts about phobias.
#41
Horses. Their faces are too long and they are just generally spooky.
9points
#42
When I was a small child, I was terrified of the moon. But only when it was a crescent moon! 🌙 Full moon was fine. I still cannot fully explain why, but I think it just seemed evil-looking to me, like a big creepy grin in the sky that followed you wherever you walked or drove - it was always there, leering down at you. I used to make my parents close all the blinds when I knew the moon was gonna be crescent. I’m pretty sure looking back I should have been assessed for autism, haha.
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9points
#43
Sleeping with objects above my head.
I just can’t help but be worried it will fall and I’ll die or be severely injured no matter the object.
I think I watched too many disaster movies as a kid with earthquakes shaking the house and things falling from the walls or ceilings lol.
I just can’t help but be worried it will fall and I’ll die or be severely injured no matter the object.
I think I watched too many disaster movies as a kid with earthquakes shaking the house and things falling from the walls or ceilings lol.
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9points
#44
Chickens.
I'm absolutely terrified of chickens.
Their bawk bok bok bok fills me with intense anxiety and dread.
We had them on a farm when I was a kid. The chickens were fine until we got a red island rooster (if you know, you know). One morning I went to get their eggs while the flock was roaming about. It turned into an ambush and I was ganked by the chickens and my dog had to save me as my legs were shredded by them. Been terrified ever since.
This doesn't extend to chicken as a food, thankfully.
I'm absolutely terrified of chickens.
Their bawk bok bok bok fills me with intense anxiety and dread.
We had them on a farm when I was a kid. The chickens were fine until we got a red island rooster (if you know, you know). One morning I went to get their eggs while the flock was roaming about. It turned into an ambush and I was ganked by the chickens and my dog had to save me as my legs were shredded by them. Been terrified ever since.
This doesn't extend to chicken as a food, thankfully.
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9points
#45
I’m afraid of ship wrecks and submarines. I don’t even know why but just thinking about it makes my heart rate rise.
8points
#47
Talking into phones, radios, speakers etc. Idk what it is, it seemed to just develop around the age of 18 where I would burst into tears if a phone was ringing and nobody immediately answered it. Through constant exposure I’ve managed to mostly get over it, I still feel uncomfortable and stressed but I can deal with it now. I do always keep my phone on silent though.
My uncle has a phobia of buttons. Like, he could never wear a shirt with buttons because it just repulsed him.
My uncle has a phobia of buttons. Like, he could never wear a shirt with buttons because it just repulsed him.
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8points
#48
Im not sure if it is, but my family says it's a phobia. (So kinda the opposite to this post I guess.) Here it goes....
Shortbread.
It makes me so f*****g angry. I hate everything about it, even the name. I have the strongest feeling of pure hate and disgust towards it. It makes me so f*****g angry. To me, It's the food version of ISIS. If my husband tries to add some to the trolley when shopping, I WILL raise my voice or cause a scene. (Which is completely out of my character) it can NOT come in my house. I will not touch it with my hands. It can NOT come near me. It's putrid, vile, filth and if you offered to pay off all my debts just if I would eat some, I'd tell you to f**k off. I don't know how to articulate how strong my feelings are towards it, and I don't know why I have these feelings or if they actually constitute as a 'phobia'. As long as it f***s off!
Shortbread.
It makes me so f*****g angry. I hate everything about it, even the name. I have the strongest feeling of pure hate and disgust towards it. It makes me so f*****g angry. To me, It's the food version of ISIS. If my husband tries to add some to the trolley when shopping, I WILL raise my voice or cause a scene. (Which is completely out of my character) it can NOT come in my house. I will not touch it with my hands. It can NOT come near me. It's putrid, vile, filth and if you offered to pay off all my debts just if I would eat some, I'd tell you to f**k off. I don't know how to articulate how strong my feelings are towards it, and I don't know why I have these feelings or if they actually constitute as a 'phobia'. As long as it f***s off!
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8points
#49
Driving. Idk what it is but every time I try, I am guaranteed to have a full on fight or flight meltdown where I’m sobbing and feeling like I can’t breathe. It just feels like TOO MUCH and TOO FAST. I don’t know what to focus on but you have to focus on EVERYTHING. I can’t tell if I’m too far over in the lane and I have to focus on that while focusing on speed and if someone is trying to merge or if I’m trying to merge or when I need to slow down or if someone is driving unsafe nearby or if a person is walking in front of my car in a parking lot or crossing the street when they shouldn’t be and then I have to make sure I don’t lose focus of literally everything and space out while driving a death trap on wheels.
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8points
#50
Manmade objects that are underwater. They're just f*****g eerie to look at.
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6points
