Barophobia [Weirdest Phobias]
Posted by Brett on August 23rd, 2010Everyday this week…Brett Rounsaville brings us the Weirdest Phobias ever…um…phobed?
Let’s start things out right this week. What’s the most sane thing in life to fear?
(This is the part where you’re supposed to say “nature.”)
That’s right! Nature. Floods, volcanoes, tornados, lightening, pumas…it’s a never-ending list of unpredictable danger. And what’s the one thing more terrifying than unpredictable danger?
(You’re supposed to say, “PREDICTABLE DANGER!”)
That’s right!!! Staring into Certain Death’s empty eye sockets is WAY scarier than huddling up in the house during a storm, not quite sure whether it will turn into a hurricane or pass you by.
So, following this logic, the single most terrifying thing on the planet must be both natural and predictable. Which is why they have a word for it.
Barophobia.
Also known as an irrational fear of…bum bum buuuummm, gravity.
Caused by a traumatic event the afflicted somehow linked to gravity (i.e. falling from a height or being trapped on an unmanned space station with a human hating AI for a prolonged period of time), it results in anxieties as mild as nausea and as crippling as an overwhelming fear of disaster when confronted with thoughts of, well, gravity.
Weird, right? What are your favorite irrational fears? Have any of your own?
Twitter this
August 24th, 2010 at 9:49 am
The Next Round Starts Now Rounsaville!!!
For the first round I bring you Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia Aka the fear of long words.
This is a personal favorite of mine for obvious reasons.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Welcome back! I dig it! That might make it in there this week. Nice work, Hogan.
August 25th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I think too many video games cause this fear.
Josh Bulloc
Kansas City, MO
August 27th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
September 20th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
I have inverted vertigo — I get nauseous and fall over looking UP at tall buildings. I have to stand backwards on very tall elevators going up. Roller coasters would b okay, but I freak out on the beginning, the slow pull uphill.