Top ten phobia enquiries this year
As phobia experts, we have a good grasp on the world’s most common phobias. Indeed in our experience, emetophobia (a fear of vomit) overwhelmingly takes the top spot. So much so, that we felt compelled recently to upload an emetophobia trilogy of videos onto our TikTok channel. So far these have helped many suffering with this debilitating phobia.
Certainly, given the events of the last couple years, many more people have felt isolated spending much more time around their homes. Situations like this create the perfect breeding ground for the foundation of many new phobias. Not to mention some of those being much more eccentric than others!
The Scotsman published a great article offering a round-up of the top 25 most common phobias in the UK. Furthermore, this was based upon a study from consumer genetics company 23andMe. In addition to this article we decided to share what we were our top 10 phobias, based upon enquiries received to our office in 2021.
ARE YOUR PHOBIAS ON OUR TOP 10 LIST?
1-5 PHOBIAS
1. Emetophobia
A career in medicine would be tricky for the 16 per cent of people who suffer from emetophobia – a fear of vomiting or seeing others be sick.
2. Claustrophobia
Claustrophobia – the fear of confined spaces – affects 23 per cent of Brits.
3. Acrophobia
Acrophobia, the fear of heights, is the UK’s most common phobia – 37 per cent of us suffer from it.
4. Arachnophobia
31 per cent of us have arachnophobia – the fear of spiders.
5. Aerophobia
The fear of flying. It is believed to affect one in ten of the population, however some studies suggest that the proportion is much higher.
6-10 PHOBIAS
6. Glossophobia
Giving a speech is a nightmare for many of us – 23 per cent have glossophobia, or a fear of public speaking.
7. Masklaphobia
Masklaphobia, or fear of masks, is surprisingly common, especially among children. However, it is important to note that this fear is often a part of normal childhood development.
8. Globophobia
The thought of popping party supplies is too much for the eight per cent of us with globophobia – the fear of balloons.
9. Cynophobia
Dogs may be Britain’s favourite pet, but not for the 12 per cent of people with cynophobia – the fear of dogs.
10. Ichthyophobia
Whilst many people are afraid of sharks specifically (Galeophobia), many times individuals are even afraid of small and seemingly harmless fish (Ichthyophobia).
