A phobia is a particular type of anxiety disorder that leave people paralyzed with terror when they’re exposed to a triggering event or object. Coulrophobia, for example, is the irrational fear of clowns. People with this condition would get heart palpitations, anxiety, and even nausea if they happen to find themselves surrounded by clowns. But there are some phobias out there that are as weird as the irrational feelings and triggers that produce them.
Ablutophobia: The Fear of Washing
Does the idea of eating a roach sound a lot less scary and disgusting than taking your car to a car wash? Do you hate the idea of washing your face or taking long showers? Then you might be suffering from ablutophobia, the fear of bathing, cleaning or washing. People suffering from this irrational phobia would also let their laundry pile up because they’re afraid of coming into contact with water. Surprisingly, this condition is more common in women than in men.
Hagiophobia: The Fear of Holy Things
Holy figures, like a statue of Jesus, or the Pope, crosses, priests, and Holy water are just some of the things that someone with hagiophobia is afraid of. More often than not, these irrational fears stem from internal predispositions and a specific traumatic event. Hagiophobia is also highly related to Ecclesiaphobia, which is the fear of church, holy people, and organized religion.
