by Lily Grabowski
According to a 2023 US Census Bureau study, almost half of 18-24 year olds reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression (KFF). Mental health statistics continue to show an increase in reported anxiety and mental health issues from previous years (e.g. WHO).
Given this information, I was curious if in addition to generalized anxiety, there was also an increase of straight up fears in society. In researching this question, I found some interesting phobias online. I also interviewed people with fears like elevators, haircuts, and whirlpools.
Arachibutyrophobia
Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to one’s roof of their mouth. People who have Arachibutyrophobia have more of a fear of choking, or peanut butter with a weird texture getting stuck in their throat.
Phobophobia
The fear of phobias is Phobophobia, or the fear of being afraid. Phobophobia can also be defined as the fear of developing a phobia.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words just like Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. The fear may be more accurately described as the fear of shame or ridicule from mispronouncing long words.
Ephebiphobia
Ephebiphobia is the fear of youth, but mostly just fear of teenagers. People who have Ephebiphobia are more afraid of other people who are young, and not afraid of themselves being young.
Plutophobia
Plutophobia is the fear of money. Some people who have plutophobia are scared of wealthy people, or scared of having lots of money because they just don’t want to deal with it.
It is interesting to note that these phobias, even if they might seem unusual, have underlying them something that many people fear: a loss of control or the unknown.
I interviewed people in the newspaper club to see if anyone had an unusual phobia or just a fear that they would be willing to share. Millie Rodbell and Annabelle Fransen participated in these interviews.
Interviews
Interview 1: Millie (7th grade), Fear: haircuts (tonsurephobia)
Lily: When did your fear of haircuts start?
Millie:I really don’t remember. I think I’ve always had this fear.
Lily: Do you think you are more afraid of your hair being messed up, or do you just scared of change and not liking it?
Millie: I think I’m definitely more scared of having my hair change and not liking it.
Lily: Do other people in your family have the same fear of haircuts as you?
Millie: No. I am the only one.
Lily: Do you ever think you will ever grow out of this fear?
Millie: Maybe when I’m older. It might just depend on the day.
Interview 2: Annabelle (7th grader), Fear: Elevators (no official name)
Lily: Are you more scared of the actual elevators, or being in small spaces (claustrophobia)?
Annabelle: I think I’m scared of getting stuck in the elevator, or the elevator falling. But I’m fine with small spaces.
Lily: When did your fear start? Was there a reason why it started?
Annabelle: When I was younger, my friends and I were playing hide and go seek, and we kept hiding in the elevator. I remember my friends and I jumping up and down in the elevator and it making a weird sound, so I think I got scared then and have been ever since.
Lily: Do other people in your family have the same fear as you?
Annabelle: No. My sister makes fun of it.
Lily: Do you ever think you will outgrow this fear?
Annabelle: Yes. I haven’t been in an elevator for a while, so I think one day I will be fine.
Just like with the unusual phobias discussed above, Millie and Annabelle both remarked on a loss of control and unpredictability that motivated their fears. Their fears were something that started young and kind of got stuck. Both felt like they might outgrow these fears overtime.
What about you? Have you ever had a fear that got stuck? How did you move past it?