Fear of new things
Fear of new things: An irrational fear of anything new, of innovation, of new situations, places, or things. Also called neophobia. In animal behavior, neophobia refers to the tendency of an animal to avoid or retreat from an unfamiliar object or situation.
All phobias are unreasonable sorts of fear that can cause avoidance and panic. They represent a relatively common type of anxiety disorder. Phobias can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy using exposure and fear reduction techniques. In many cases, anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication proves helpful, especially during the early stages of therapy.
The word “neophobia” should not be Greek to you. It comes from the Greek “neos” meaning new + “-phobia” from the Greek “phobos” meaning fear = fear (of anything) new. Neophobia is not a neologism (a new word); it’s been around a while.
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- Fear of nudity
Fear of nudity: An abnormal and persistent fear of nudity is called gymnophobia. Sufferers of this phobia experience undue anxiety even though they realize their fear is irrational. They may worry about seeing others naked or being seen naked, or both. Their fear may stem from anxiety about sexuality in general, from a fear that […]
- Fear of oneself
Fear of oneself: An irrational fear of oneself, an intense self-fear that is groundless. Fear of oneself is termed “autophobia” which comes from two Greek words: “autos” (self) and “phobos” (fear) = literally, self-fear, fear of oneself. “Autos” has given us many English words such as “automatic” and “automotive” (self-moving) and “autonomy” (self-governing). And “phobos” […]
- Fear of pain
Fear of pain: An abnormal and persistent fear of pain. The fear is excessive, beyond that which is expected under the circumstances, producing an anxiety reaction. Fear of pain is termed “algophobia,” a word derived from the Greek “algos” (pain) and “phobos” (fear). Note that an “algometer” is an instrument for measuring pain (it does […]
- Fear of pleasure
Fear of pleasure: An abnormal, excessive, and persistent fear of pleasure. Sufferers with this most puritanical of phobias typically feel guilty about experiencing pleasure even though they usually realize rationally there is nothing at all wrong with taking pleasure. Their guilt usually arises from the fact that they are participating in a pleasurable activity while […]
- Fear of public places
Fear of public places: This irrational fear is called agoraphobia. It applies to open areas, especially those from which escape could be difficult or help not immediately accessible. Persons with agoraphobia frequently also have panic disorder. People with agoraphobia characteristically become anxious if they even think about being trapped in a situation where it might […]