5 new phobias that were diagnosed in 2019

Everyone experiences fear from time to time. Whether it be flying through turbulence, being alone in the dark or public speaking. Anxiety is a universal feeling that we all go through at some point in our lives.

However, if you have a specific phobia, you are likely to experience a sense of dread or panic when faced with a specific situation or object. A specific phobia is a type of anxiety disorder defined as an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something. These irrational fears can interfere with personal relationships, work, and school, and prevent you from enjoying life.

We’re all familiar with some of the more common ones - the fear of heights (acrophobia), the fear of being in enclosed spaces (claustrophobia) and the fear of open spaces with nowhere to escape (agoraphobia). As our lifestyle changes, we experience some new fears and anxieties. Some of the fears which are increasingly becoming common are the following.

As we read so much about climate change and its effect, it is becoming increasingly common to have a fear about consequences of climate change. It is observed more in the younger generation with some people going through full blown panic attacks at the thought of global warming and emptying our natural resources.

In this age of hyper connectedness, this is a common fear to an extent that it is culturally acceptable to be uneasy or distracted because you have forgotten your phone at home. But if you are breaking into a sweat just thinking about all your missed calls and messages, you might be suffering from nomophobia which is an Intense fear of being without your mobile device.

This is the fear of trying new food and is gaining increasing prominence due to its common presentation in young children. It is distinguished from fussy eating as fussy eaters do not eat even the common and tried foods.

With increase in fad diets and an immense social pressure about looking a certain way, there is an increase in the trend of all carbs being ‘bad’ and more people are suffering from an intense fear of eating carbohydrates.

It is a big word and it means a fear of social media or more psychologically it is the fear of being judged and under constant scrutiny by friends or strangers alike.

Inputs from Dr. Sapna Bangar, Head, Mpower - The Centre, Mumbai