10 Strange Phobias That Really Exist

Published April 23, 2014
Updated July 31, 2019

Strange Phobias: Thaasophobia

Thaasophobia is classified as the fear of sitting, though it also has been called “the fear of being idle” or “an intense fear and hatred of boredom”. If just physically sitting down is the cause of stress, it may be because sitting is physically painful to the body. Those who suffer from this phobia are greatly limited in their career choices, and school is often a treacherous experience.

Papaphobia

Before the benevolent grin of the recently chosen (and well-liked) Pope Francis, it is difficult to imagine someone having papaphobia, or an irrational fear of the Pope or the papacy in general. This condition is often linked with hierophobia, the fear of holy people or objects; and even ecclesiophobia, the fear of churches or organized religion.

Strange Phobias: Xerophobia

Strange Phobias Dryness

Source: Blogspot

Our bodies are largely made of water, and so in biological terms, hydration is synonymous with life. That may glean a little understanding into the minds of xerophobics, who are afraid of dryness. These people will avoid dry climates, use moisturizers and creams in excess, and drink a lot of fluids. They may even react poorly to the sight of anyone that appears to have dry skin, lips or hair. Fans of the TV show Doctor Who know one xerophobe in particular who is terrified of being “under-moisturized.”

Strange Phobias: Pantophobia

Strange Phobias Everything

Source: Blogspot

You had to have seen this one coming; the fear of everything: pantophobia. (Also referred to as panophobia or omniphobia.) While understandably hard to pin down in direct psychological terms, it can also refer to a non-specific phobia, or just a general sense of being scared all the time. Charlie Brown is a famous sufferer, as he realizes with Lucy’s help in the infamous A Charlie Brown Christmas special.

author
Erin Kelly
author
An All That's Interesting writer since 2013, Erin Kelly focuses on historic places, natural wonders, environmental issues, and the world of science. Her work has also been featured in Smithsonian and she's designed several book covers in her career as a graphic artist.
editor
John Kuroski
editor
John Kuroski is the editorial director of All That's Interesting. He graduated from New York University with a degree in history, earning a place in the Phi Alpha Theta honor society for history students. An editor at All That's Interesting since 2015, his areas of interest include modern history and true crime.