By: Jennifer Dubose

What is Dentophobia?

The face towering over you with its large magnifying glasses feels so cold and clinical. With every scrape of the tool against your teeth, you feel judgment boring through you. The smell of latex gloves fills your nostrils as you struggle to breathe with someone else’s hands in your mouth. Every moment is agonizing discomfort as you pray for the appointment to be over.

If the above scenario in a dentist’s office is a thing of nightmares for you, you may be struggling with Dentophobia (pronounced [Den-toe-fo-bee-ah]). Dentophobia is defined as the fear of dentists and/or having dental work done. It is also referred to as odontophobia (which is more closely associated with a fear of teeth). If you identify as a dentophobe you may be diagnosed with Other Situational Type Phobia — F40.248 (ICD 10 code).

Statistics

• 5–15% of adults have a severe fear of the dentist, and 3% will never see a dentist.
• 1 in 3 study participants suffered from a “pathologically severe fear of dental treatment.”
• In children, dental fear and anxiety can affect 5–20% of the population.

Why are People Afraid of Dentists?

Traumatic Childhood Experience

Difficult childhood dental experiences — painful extractions, outdated tooth-pulling techniques, or a long history of dental procedures — can lead to a conditioned fear that’s difficult to overcome as an adult.

Conditioned Response

Repeated negative experiences with dentists wear on you emotionally. The more you’re forced to see a dentist as a child, the more anxiety builds — and the more you long to avoid it as an adult.

The Instruments

Dental phobia may not stem from trauma but from the instruments themselves — masks, magnifying glasses, mirrors, probes, cheek retractors, and needles. The tools cause discomfort and can be fear-invoking, but they don’t have to be.

Embarrassment

Questions like “how often do you floss?” can trigger embarrassment. But dentists are professionals who have seen it all — cavities, dead teeth, root canals, gum disease. It’s more important to deal with the problem than avoid the embarrassment, since health can be at risk the longer dental care is delayed.

How to Overcome Dentophobia

• Meet with a dentist without having any procedures done (“pre-treatment conditioning”) — the goal is to become comfortable in the office, build rapport, and ease anxiety before any work is scheduled.
• Let the hygienist know if cleaning becomes painful, and agree beforehand on a signal to pause.
• Ask what tools are being used, what they’re for, and what to expect to feel.
• For fear of needles: ask that needles be kept out of your eyesight with warning before use; take deep breaths and have the dentist talk you through each step; familiarizing yourself with the needles ahead of time (even via photos) can help desensitize the fear.
• Practice good dental care (regular flossing) to reduce the number of visits and procedures needed.
• Choose the right dentist — some specialize in working with patients who have extreme dental phobia and go the extra mile with comfort measures (massage chairs, calming views, etc.).

How to Teach Your Child to Like the Dentist

• Help kids learn to brush early, and make caring for teeth fun.
• Start young: take children to a dentist who specializes in working with kids as soon as they have baby teeth.
• Don’t project your own fear onto your child — ask them about their own experience and relay concerns to their dentist.
• Use small rewards (a new toothbrush, a trinket) to build a positive association with dentist visits.

Professional Treatment

For more severe dentophobia, seek counseling — a therapist can help develop a plan to address dental fears and work toward comfort with dental visits. Online counseling for dentophobia is also an option.

Related post links: Somniphobia (fear of sleep), Enochlophobia (fear of crowds)

By: Jennifer Dubose

The Fear of Clowns

When asked to picture a clown, what do you think of? The image that comes to mind for some is Ronald McDonald-esque — big red nose, oversized lips, crazy perhaps multi-colored hair, and baggy clothing with large shoes. But for many others the image is a grotesque, snarling clown. However you picture the clown, it can elicit feelings of fear and dread.

This abnormal or irrational fear of clowns can be defined as Coulrophobia (pronounced [kool-ruh-foh-bee-uh]). Though not specifically designated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), Coulrophobia is usually grouped under diagnosis F40.298—Other Specified Phobia.

Clown Phobia Statistics

If you thought you were alone in your fear of clowns, think again:

• According to Rasmussen Reports, 43% of Americans just don’t like clowns.
• Research by Vox shows 33% of 18 to 29 year olds admit to being afraid of clowns.
• A study conducted with hospitalized children at Carmel Medical Center showed of 1,160 children, 14 were terrified of clowns (85.7% of the 14 were girls).
• A survey performed by the University of Sheffield showed that of 250 children surveyed none wanted to see clowns in hospital décor. None.

Why Are People Afraid of Clowns?

Babies Take Their Cues from Faces

So where does the fear of clowns come from? The fear of clowns can have deep-seated roots in our psyche and can emerge at a young age. At 6 months old, children begin to look to their mother’s or primary caregivers for social cues. Infants find comfort in patterns and things that are recognizable. They learn human behavior and whether or not you are sad, upset, and happy, etc. by looking at your face. They recognize the difference in emotions and respond accordingly. For example, when you make a silly face at a baby they can respond with a smile and laughter.

Freud’s “Concept of the Uncanny”

Many clowns have painted-on faces with large smiles that never change and exaggerated features—features that are strangely familiar, resembling the human face, yet distorted enough to initiate a feeling of anxiety. A young child is unable to determine what emotion is hiding under this painted face. This exaggeration and departure from the norm can lead to repulsion and an innate fear from a young age. Freud was the first to describe this phenomenon, and coined it the “concept of the uncanny.”

How Clowns Are Portrayed in History

According to the Smithsonian, clowns (or jesters) have been around for centuries in every culture. In some eras, clowns were the only people allowed to mock the powers that be. They were given leeway to make light of the faults and shortcomings of nobility—the embodiment of pure mischief. Perhaps their mischievous roots have paved the way for the more terrifying clowns of our century.

Symptoms

How do you know if you have Coulrophobia? You may exhibit:

• Anxiousness or nervousness at the sight of a clown; the feeling that your stomach has turned upside-down; the desire to flee from the presence of a clown
• Intense fear and dread and avoidance of events or locations where clowns may be present
• Physical symptoms such as increased heart-rate, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea and vomiting, and full-blown panic attacks

Famous Scary Clowns

Movies that exploit the fear of clowns have run rampant in recent decades, perhaps lending to the prevalence of the phobia. Some of the more notable clowns include:

• Pennywise the Clown: The movie “IT” utilized Pennywise in a terrifying way — one of the first clowns that comes to mind for many.
• Pogo the Clown: John Wayne Gacy, also known as “The Killer Clown,” was no fictional tale. He assaulted and murdered at least 33 teenage boys in the 1970s. He dressed as a clown for parades, charitable events, and parties, which is how he came to be known as Pogo.
• The Joker: The super-villain found in Batman comics with a permanent grin etched into his face.

Other clowns found throughout movies include: Twisty (from American Horror Story), The Poltergeist Clown, Zeebo, Captain Spaulding (from House of 1000 Corpses), The Alien Clowns (from Killer Klowns from Outer Space), Clownhouse, Killjoy, Zombie Clown (from Zombieland).

Clowns in the News

Most clowns can be spotted at a circus, birthday party, or relatively contained areas. But in 2016, clown sightings became a widespread phenomenon, bringing clowns to the forefront of daily news and triggering a nationwide (and even worldwide) response of fear. Some recent headlines:

In August 2016, a 9-year-old boy told his mother two clowns tried to lure him into the woods near his home. Since then, clown sightings have cropped up across the United States, Canada, and countries around the globe. Many of these sightings were just people looking to create fear and cause mischief without carrying out criminal activity.

However, not all of the sightings were purely mischief. In September, a woman in Ohio was on her porch smoking when a clown grabbed her by her neck and threatened to kill her. On Halloween, a Florida man and his family were victims of a clown attack, beaten by a crowd of about 20 people wearing clown masks.

Coulrophobia Treatment

Self-Help Treatment

How to get over the fear of clowns:

• Re-frame and modify the way you think about clowns. Think through where your fear originated. Repeat to yourself that it is just a person wearing makeup, that it was just a movie, that their purpose is to entertain and make you laugh.
• Be present when a professional clown begins to apply their makeup and costume — let yourself visually see that what’s below the surface is truly human.
• Expose yourself to clowns slowly, such as looking at photos of clowns online until your fear at the sight of one begins to lessen.
• Go to a circus or production where you can have a seat far enough away that you can look on the object of your fear from afar and recognize that it can do nothing to harm you.

Professional Treatment

If your situation requires more than self-help, we recommend professional mental health counseling. Finding a therapist is as simple as consulting your preferred search engine for a local counselor.

Online therapy is becoming more widespread if that’s an option you’d like to look into. For more information, see our BetterHelp online therapy review.

Related post links: How to overcome white coat syndrome / Fear of crowds

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning we will receive compensation, at no extra cost to you, if you choose to make a purchase of a recommended product or service. We are independently owned and vet our partners thoroughly.

By: Jennifer Dubose

What is Aviophobia?

Aviophobia (pronounced [A-vee-oh-fo-bee-ah]) is the intense fear or displeasure of flying in an airplane, sometimes referred to as Aerophobia. If you’re afraid of anything flight-related—including airports themselves—this article is for you.

How to Get Over Flight Anxiety — Quick List

• Find the root of your fear
• Focus on why you’re traveling
• Arm yourself with knowledge
• Educate yourself about turbulence
• Travel with a friend or loved one
• Talk to your flight crew
• Choose your preferred seat
• Take flying lessons
• Distract yourself on the flight
• Avoid alcohol/drink water
• Try breathing techniques and meditation
• Consider professional help (BetterHelp reviewed elsewhere on the site) if fear/panic is debilitating

What is the Root of Your Fear?

Common triggers: fear of small spaces, news coverage of crashes/disappearances, motion sickness, or simply a first flight. Identifying the specific trigger helps target the right coping approach — avoiding flying altogether means missing out on a lot of life experiences.

Why Are You Traveling?

Focusing on the destination and purpose of the trip — a wedding, a long-awaited vacation, visiting family — and visualizing the payoff can help ground you and provide motivation to push through the anxiety.

Arm Yourself with Knowledge

Fear of the unknown is common. A few reassuring facts:

• Every flight-related incident in the US has been listed on the FAA website since 2006 — there aren’t many.
• From 2012–2014 there were 1,098 traffic deaths per year in New York alone (5.6 per 100,000 people).
• The National Safety Council notes the odds of dying in a plane crash are too small to reliably calculate; the odds of dying in a car accident are about 1-in-93.
• The FAA’s Air Traffic Organization provides service to more than 45,000 flights and 2.9 million airline passengers daily across more than 29 million square miles of airspace.
• Commercial pilots need a bachelor’s degree in aircraft operations or aeronautical engineering (or equivalent), plus over 1,500 hours of flight time before becoming licensed.
• Pilots under 40 undergo yearly medical exams with an Aviation Medical Examiner; pilots over 40, every 6 months — including mental health screening when warranted.

Understand that Turbulence is Normal

Turbulence is an irregular motion of the air from eddies and vertical currents, commonly linked to weather fronts, thunderstorms, heat, jet streams, and flying over mountains. Per the FAA, from 2009–2022 only 34 passengers and 129 flight attendants were injured due to turbulence — out of the millions who flew in that span.

Travel with a Friend or Loved One

Having someone’s hand to hold, or just their presence, can help lessen anxiety during a flight.

Talk to Your Flight Attendants

Flight attendants are trained in first aid, CPR, medical emergencies, firefighting, survival skills, and can even assist pilots if necessary. They can check on you throughout the flight if you let them know you’re anxious.

Choose a Seat to Alleviate Flight Anxiety

Choosing your own seat (window or aisle, whichever feels more comfortable) is usually the best option. On open-seating airlines, checking in as early as possible (e.g., exactly 24 hours ahead on Southwest) or arriving early to talk to a gate agent can help you avoid a last-minute, uncomfortable seat assignment.

Distractions are Pure Magic

Ideas to keep your mind busy: a book or e-reader, music or a podcast, in-flight entertainment, work projects, favorite snacks, phone games, or conversation with a seatmate.

Take Flying Lessons

Learning the basics of how airplanes work — even trying a flight simulator or actual flying lessons — can help demystify the experience and ease fear as a passenger.

Try Breathing Techniques and Meditation

Simple breathing (in through the nose, out through the mouth) or guided meditation apps (Calm, Insight Timer) can help. Some professionals recommend labeling your body’s fear response rather than fighting it, then reminding yourself of the safety facts you’ve learned.

Consider Exposure Therapy

Options include watching videos or shows involving flying, trying a flight simulator or Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), and — the ultimate version — actually flying repeatedly to normalize the experience.

Avoid Alcohol — Drink Water Instead

Cabin humidity is kept at 10–20% (drier than the Sahara), so alcohol will dehydrate you further and can increase discomfort. Water is the better choice; some travelers use a sleeping aid for long overnight flights instead.

Seek Professional Treatment

For more than self-help, a professional therapist trained in anxiety disorders can help, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Online counseling (BetterHelp) is one option. The SOAR Fear of Flying program, created by airline captain and licensed therapist Tom Bunn, is a treatment option specific to this phobia.

Conquer Your Fear of Flying

Closing thought: flying, at its best, should feel like the freedom and weightlessness of leaping off a childhood swing. Put some of these tips into practice on your next flight.

Related link (PRO TIP callout in original): enochlophobia (fear of crowds) techniques

By: Jennifer Dubose, BA, Psychology

What is Astraphobia?

Lightning: it leaves you awestruck yet terrified, its golden bolts crashing against the night sky, followed shortly by rolling thunder that reverberates and echoes.

If a thunderstorm leaves you quaking under your blanket, you may be suffering from Astraphobia (pronounced [ass-trah-fo-bee-ah]). People who embody this phobia tend to also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (ICD-10 Diagnosis code F41.1). Astraphobia is derived from the Greek word “Astrape,” meaning lightning.

Statistics

• Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year.
• According to the National Weather Service, of the 330,000,000 people in the United States, only an average of 27 people die per year from a lightning strike.
• Your odds of being struck are 1 in 1.2 million.
• If you hear thunder, you are within 10 miles of lightning and should take shelter (National Geographic).
• Lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun.
• Lightning can strike up to 25 miles away from the parent thunderstorm.

Why are People Afraid of Lightning?

Traumatic Situations

It was June 6th, 1999. I was 8 years old. A huge storm had swept across the Midwest. While my family and I were tucked safely in our beds—visiting my grandparents in Minnesota—our home in Wisconsin was struck by lightning. It struck our electrical box, snaked through all the wiring in the home, and within an hour our two-story home was fully engulfed in flames. It was a miracle our entire family was out of state. When all was said and done, all that remained of our home was a clawfoot bathtub swaying on its pipes.

Though not physically present when our home burned down, a deep fear of lightning has raged in me since that day. I lay awake in fear when faced with troubling weather. My mom was forced to sing me to sleep when storms passed through. I watch the weather religiously, making sure I am safe at all times.

If you’ve experienced a traumatic situation—struck by lightning yourself, lost someone to a strike, or lost a home like I did—know that there is hope. You don’t have to be weighed down by your fears.

Fear of the Unknown

Even without a specific traumatic reason, just knowing a lightning strike could happen (though the chances are slim) can be terrifying. Storms are a normal, unpredictable part of nature, and a fear of the unknown is arguably a biological imperative — an instinct to protect ourselves.

Do You Have Astraphobia?

A healthy fear of lightning is natural. But when does it turn into a phobia?

• Your life is planned around the weather — you don’t travel, make plans with friends, or leave home if there’s a chance of a storm
• Thunderstorms leave you terrified, shaking, and exhibiting panic attack symptoms (hyperventilating, racing heart, feeling faint)
• Hiding somewhere extreme, like a bathtub, during storms
• Inability to sleep when lightning and thunder are present

How to Overcome the Fear of Lightning

Familiarity with Lightning Safety

1. If outdoors, get inside immediately — a tree or pavilion won’t protect you. At minimum, get into a vehicle with a metal roof, and avoid touching door handles or metal.
2. If you hear thunder or see lightning, seek shelter inside a structure with plumbing or electrical wiring — lightning will travel through those surfaces first, typically giving you time to escape.
3. Avoid being the tallest thing around — this increases your risk of being struck.
4. Rubber-soled shoes will not protect you from a strike — that’s a myth.

Pro tip: For more lightning safety tips, visit NOAA.gov and check your local weather; National Geographic also has helpful articles on this.

Use a Weather App

Following the weather (The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, or NOAA’s radar) can ease anxiety at home or while traveling by helping you know exactly where a storm is tracking — a healthy awareness rather than an obsession.

Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are said to mimic deep touch pressure therapy, and have proven useful for people with autism, sensory processing disorders, or anxiety — the pressure is thought to release oxytocin, producing a calming, hug-like effect. Blankets are typically made to about 10% of body weight so they don’t feel smothering. (Sensacalm weighted blankets referenced.)

Deep Breathing and Prayer

• Slow, deliberate breathing — in through the nose, out through the mouth — especially useful lying in bed as a storm builds.
• Prayer or meditation for peace and relief from anxiety.

Therapy

If you’ve experienced a traumatic situation, working through it alone can be difficult. A licensed therapist can help — BetterHelp is recommended as one option, along with local resources found via a quick search.

Tags: afraid of lightning, Astraphobia, Fear of lightning

Related post links: Overcome Aviophobia (fear of flying), Gamophobia (fear of commitment), Overcome Somniphobia (put your fears to bed)

By: Jennifer Dubose

We independently evaluate all products and services we recommend. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.

Apotemnophobia: The Fear of Amputation (or Amputees)

If the thought of losing your own limbs—or the sight of someone who has lost theirs—causes you a great deal of distress, you could be suffering from apotemnophobia (pronounced [ape-oh-tem-know-fo-bee-uh]). A diagnosis of apotemnophobia depends on the degree of the fear. It can be upsetting to see someone who has lost an appendage or to think about losing a limb yourself, and this can cause feelings of mild discomfort. Individuals suffering from apotemnophobia, on the other hand, have more severe levels of unease, including severe anxiety, panic attacks, and/or the overwhelming need to escape environments where amputees are present.

There are a couple of related conditions:

• Apotemnophilia is the opposite of apotemnophobia, referring to someone wanting to be an amputee
• Acrotomophilia is an attraction toward amputees

What Causes an Extreme Fear of Amputation?

Like many phobias, apotemnophobia often has its roots in a traumatic situation; in this case, related to amputation or other serious injuries. Perhaps you had a near-miss where amputation could have been necessary. Maybe you know someone who has undergone an amputation and you have seen its effects. The emphasis from parents or friends on avoiding serious injury may be a contributing factor as well. Finally, amputation covered in news reports, movies or other forms of media can reinforce extreme amputation fears. Individuals prone to fear and anxiety are often at a higher risk to develop such phobias.

Amputations Depicted in the Media

There is no shortage of news and other media presentations of amputation. The event is a staple in horror movies such as the Saw series and in other movies such as Forrest Gump, in which Lt. Dan’s legs were amputated. Television also regularly features amputations; one example is from ER, where a surprise hospital scene reveals Dr. Barnett to have had both legs amputated after being hit by a truck. Real or fictional depictions could contribute to or worsen apotemnophobia.

Symptoms

Symptoms of apotemnophobia include:

• An intense anxiety or fear when experiencing amputees or the thought of undergoing an amputation
• An overwhelming sensation of needing to escape a situation in which you are exposed to amputation
• An obsession with avoiding amputation
• The inability to function normally due to the condition

Professional Treatment

We recommend seeking help from a qualified professional. You can find a local counselor or go with online therapy. Depending on your individual assessment, your therapist may recommend one of the following treatment methods:

• Behavioral therapy: A therapist will work with you to reduce your anxiety through gradual exposure to stimuli, in this case, amputation-related
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: A professional meets with you to discuss your situation and work through a treatment protocol based on exploring, addressing and overcoming thought patterns causing or contributing to phobias
• Pharmaceutical: Your general doctor or psychiatrist may prescribe medicine to help the symptoms of fear and anxiety

Related post link: How to overcome fear of commitment | gamophobia