Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?

By Jessica Swavley

Are you dextrophobic? Perhaps you're a leukophobe or grappling with  genophobia? Don't know what you are? Don't worry, there's a phobia to suit everyone.

How many times have you heard someone say, "Oh my gosh, I hate spiders!" Chances are, they're not actually arachnophobic; they just don't like spiders. There's nothing unusual about that. But when does a strong dislike of something become a clinically diagnosed phobia?

What the…?

Technically, a phobia is "a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it". We're not talking about a quick scream at the sight of a Daddy Long Legs; phobias can induce panic attacks and fainting. People with paralysing fears will do just about anything to avoid exposing themselves to said fears.

What causes phobias?

Some fears can develop from a bad childhood experience. Not everyone thinks the circus is fun and that clowns are funny, for instance. Other fears are less obvious and might never show until you're placed in an unfamiliar situation and find yourself completely freaked out.

Are they curable?

As with any problem, there are various "miracle cures" available. But experts warn against these quick fix solutions and advise that you consult a doctor for a better chance of overcoming your fear.

NB: Dextrophobia is the fear of objects to the right side of the body, leukophobia is a fear of the colour white and genophobia is a fear of sex (not to be confused with genuphobia, which is a fear of knees).

Here are Cosmo's pick of the oddest phobias…

Arachibutyrophobia: fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth
Bolshephobia: fear of Bolsheviks
Batrachophobia: fear of amphibians, such as frogs
Defecaloesiophobia: fear of painful bowel movements
Dextrophobia: fear of objects to the right side of the body
Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia: fear of the number 666