"Ye worship ye know not what. . ."

Jesus Christ, John 4:24

Throughout history the tattoo bears the mark of paganism, demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism and just about every other pagan belief known. The tattoo has NEVER been associated with Bible Believing Christians. And whenever and wherever, in history Christianity appears – tattoos disappear. The only exception -- 20^th century, lukewarm, carnal, disobedient, Laodicean Christians.

The birth of the tattoo has always born the fruits of pagan religion and mysticism. Without exception, research after research, study after study, book after book, the roots of the tattoo never wavers. The following documentation is just a small (very small) drop of the ocean of research documenting the pagan and demonic source of the tattoo.

Please remember. . . The following documentation is from pro-tattoo books simply documenting the obvious spiritual and religious link to the tattoo. These are not Christian writers trying to paint a negative portrait of the tattoo. No matter how much the carnal, rebellious, Christian desires to justify their perverse reasoning for "marking" themselves with the forbidden demonic tattoo, the facts are loud and clear, backed by tons of research and documentation by the leading pro-tattoo authorities on the planet – the foundation, origin, meaning and purposes of the tattoo is pagan demonism, shamanism, Baal worship, and occult mysticism.

A tattooist in many cultures is also a shaman, magick-man, priest or priestess. According to the dictionary a shaman is a "intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, control spiritual forces, etc." (www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0648969.html)

"Tattooing is often a magical rite in the more traditional cultures, and the tattooist is respected as a priest or shaman."
(Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 73)

"In Fiji, Fromosa, New Zealand and in certain of the North American Indian tribes, tattooing was regard as a religious ceremony, and performed by priests or priestesses."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 64)

"The actual tattooing process, which involved complex ritual and taboos, could only be done by priests and was associated with beliefs which were secrets known only to members of the priestly caste. . . Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 158)

The tattooist, shaman or the occult priest many times uses the tattoo as a point of contact, or inlets into the spiritual world. The tattoo is much more than just a body decoration. It’s more than just a layer of ink cut into the skin. In fact, the tattoo in every culture, in every country, up until the 20^th century, was a vehicle for pagan spiritual and religious invocations. Even today, in many countries (including the United States), the tattoo is believed to be a bridge into the supernatural world.

Famous witch and author Laurie Cabot writes of the tattoo:
"The origins of tattooing came from ancient magical practices. . . "
(Laurie Cabot, Power of the Witch, cited in Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated by Dr. Cathy Burns, p. 301)

"According to Amy Krakow in her chronicle The Total Tattoo Book, ‘tattooing has had well-defined roles: marking a rite of passage at a stage of life, calling the spirits, proudly, defiantly or sneaky showing who you are via body art."

"Many native tribes practiced therapeutic tattooing. The Ojibwa, for instance, tattooed the temples, forehead, and cheeks of those suffering from headaches and toothaches that were believed to be caused by malevolent spirits. Songs and dances that were supposed to exorcise the demons accompanied the tattooing ceremony."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 90)

"Tattooing is about personalizing the body, making it a true home and fit temple for the spirit that dwells inside it. . . Tattooing therefore, is a way of keeping the spiritual and material needs of my body in balance."
(Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 8)

Among today’s latest tattoo craze is "tribal tattoos", which are pure paganism. Tribal tattoos are designs that bear serious symbolic mystical and occult meanings. Tribal tattoos, especially, are possible channels into spiritual and demonic possession.

"When the designs are chosen with care, tattoos have a power and magic all their own. They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul."
(Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 13)

"The reasons why puncturing the skin should be regarded with some degree of awe are not far to seek, for in the first place, there is the drawing of blood, which to the savage world over is full of significance as a rejuvenating and immortalizing factor. There is in addition to the opening of numerous inlets for evil to enter. . ."
(Hambly Wilfrid D. 1925. The History of Tattooing and its Significance, p. 233, cited in Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 162)

Rolling Stone magazine describes famous tattoo artist Paul Booth during his tattoo as, ". . . allowing his clients' demons to help guide the needle." (Rolling Stone magazine, March 28, 2002, p. 40)

"Burmese tattooing has been associated with religion for thousands of years. Tattooing among indigenous North American groups including the Arapaho, Mohave, Cree, and Inuit (Eskimo) is rooted in the spiritual realm as well."
(Laura Reybold, Everything you need to know about the dangers of tattooing and body piercing, p. 15)

"Skulls imprinted on skin abound, and depictions of the Grim Reaper are commonly seen. . . These images, indelibly marked on the skin, reflect uncertainty about the future, and sublimate the pervasive fear of the unknown. Possibly, at the same time, to wear a death’s figure on one’s body may be an invocation of whatever undefinable forces of nature and the cosmos that exist, in an attempt to protect the wearer from such a fate."
(Henry Ferguson and Lynn Procter, The Art of the Tattoo, p. 76)

Ronald Scutt, in his exhaustive book, Art, Sex and Symbol covers a great deal about the history and culture of tattoos. Scutt documents that most of the time tattoos are connected to spiritual, religious and mystical purposes. The following documentation is from Scutt’s book:

"In fact tattooing is much more likely, in view of its subsequent development, to have had a mystical significance, or to have been used as a status symbol, the red ochre carrying an association with blood and life."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 22)

[Tattooing] "In association with sun-worship, megalithic building, ear-piercing, serpent worship, . . ."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 22)

"These marks [tatoos] are believed to be associated with the worship of the sun-goddess Neith"
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 24)

"Be that as it may, primitive tribes were certainly convinced that the spirit, having escaped from the body at death, retained a replica of its earthly tenement. They therefore used tattoo marks as a means of identification in the next world and a passport to future happiness."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 63)

"The Mohave Indians in the Lower Colorado instituted chin tattooing for both sexes because it was believed that a kind of Judge looks over each one who comes to Sil’aid (Land of the Dead) and if a man don’t have marks on his face, He sends him down to where the desert rats are."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 63)

"Among other Indian tribes there was a conviction that on the journey heavenwards to the ‘Many Lodges’ they would be stopped by an old woman and examined for the presence of tattoo marks on the forehead, chin or wrists. I absent, the luckless warrior would be pushed off a dizzy height to fall back to earth with no hope of ever gaining readmittance to the spirit world."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 63)

"Hindus in Begal believed that without tattoos parents would not be able to recognize their children in the next world."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 63)

"Then there is the ghastly fate of the untattooed Frijan women: ‘struck down by the souls of their own sex and without further ado served up as food for the gods."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 64)

"Yet the worship of the sun-god Baal had involved the marking of the hands [tattoos] with the divine token in a mystic attempt to acquire strength."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 64)

According to survey and statistics, Scutt lists the reasons why people get a tattoo and the number two reason – "to secure a place in heaven".

"Reasons for getting a tattoo:

2. To secure a place in heaven.
5. To propitiate malignant spirits at time of death.
6. To acquire special characteristics through totemism and ancestor worship.
9. To make the body sexually interesting."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 13)

Dr. Hambly, probably the greatest tattooist historian and researcher that ever lived, writes over and over, that tattoos are based on pagan spiritual and religious rituals. Any serious and honest study of the origin and foundation of the tattoo will clearly expose a demonic and supernatural intent of tattoos.

Tattoo enthusiast and historian, Steve Gilbert, in his popular, Tattoo History: A Source Book, cites some of the historical facts Hambly found in his extensive research.

[Hambly] "retailed a wealth of examples which he had culled from field work by anthropologists in many parts of the world. Tattooing was supposed to: prevent pain; protect against gunshot wounds; cur illness; confer superhuman strength; preserve youth; enhance the supernatural powers of a shaman; ensure the survival of the soul after death; identify the soul in the hereafter; attract good luck; protect against witchcraft; ensure the protection of a deity; confer occult powers; prevent drowning; exorcise demons; ensure the protection of a totemic animal or spiritual guardian; record a pilgrimage to a holy place, etc. . .

Hambly reported that previous investigators had often been misled because obtaining information as to the religious and magical uses of tattooing was fraught with difficulties. In the myths of many cultures tattooing was of divine origin. The actual tattooing process, which involved complex ritual and taboos, could only be done by priests and was associated with beliefs which were secrets known only to members of the priestly caste. Anthropologists were often misled because their informants either did not know or would not reveal the secret significance of the rituals and taboos. Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 158)

THE TATTOO’S GREATEST ENEMY. . . THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

In the pages of history, whenever and wherever "tattooing" pagan tribes were converted to Christianity, without exception, one of their first pagan practices to "pass away" [ 2 Corinthians 5:17] – was the tattoo. Why? Because, unlike today’s disobedient carnal "tattooed" Christians (or so-called?), the converted pagan KNEW the tattoo was against the Word of God. The Holy Spirit quickly "told" the converted pagan – no tattoo.

"Just as occurred in other cultures with tattoo traditions, when these pagan tribes were ‘converted’ to the Christian religion, their spiritual and cultural rites (which included tattooing, piercing and scarification) were outlawed. . ."
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p.9)

Amazing. . . When the Lord Jesus Christ enters in – the tattoo goes out.

"Whenever missionaries encountered tattooing they eradicated it."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 101)

"While these and other body modifications continued to be practiced underground as a way for non-Christian people to identify each other, God forbid you got caught and your mark was revealed."
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p.11)

I have many friends before they were saved received a tattoo. And without exception, everyone of them is ashamed, and as much as possible they cover it. But before they got saved – like the pagan tribes – they proudly displayed their tattoo. And let me add – most of the time, this is before they’ve read Leviticus 19:28, or before anyone even told them a tattoo is wrong. After receiving the Lord Jesus Christ, with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, they KNEW the tattoo was displeasing to their God. What about you?

A booming testimony to the author of the tattoo is recorded by Steve Gilbert:

"When Cortez and his conquistadors arrived on the coast of Mexico in 1519, they were horrified to discover that natives not only worshipped devils in the form of status and idols, but also had somehow managed to imprint indelible images of these idols on their skin. The Spaniards, who had never heard of tattooing, recognized it at once as the work of Satan."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 99)

Even though, these Spaniards "had never heard of tattooing" – they "recognized it at ONCE as the work of Satan".

And some of today’s carnal, rebellious and disobedient Christians (or so-called Christians?) gibber-gabber nonsense about "marking themselves for Jesus". . .

TATTOOS. . . AND TODAY’S CIVILIZED SOCIETY

Somebody says, "Sure that was back in the dark ages. That was in heathen lands. Today that has all changed. Nobody connects any kind of ritualistic or pagan spiritual rituals to a tattoo."

Yes. . . They do. . .

"These tattoos act as protective and empowering talismans for the wearer. There are even some body artists who perform ritual tattoos, piercing, brandings and cuttings. They may suggest you consult your astrological chart to pick the right time to get your body art. They will burn incense, light candles, . . ."
(Jean-Chris Miller, The Body Art Book : A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications, p. 29)

"Some tattooists in the West are experimenting with ritual tattooing. This method of working incorporates doing a ritual to create a sacred space in the area where the tattoo is positioned. Often incense is burned and the gods invited to bless the proceedings."
(Michelle Delio, Tattoo: The Exotic Art of Skin Decoration, p. 75)

TATTOOS: THE CUP OF DEVILS

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
1 Corinthians 10:21

That harmless little "innocent" tattoo may have a little secret hiding inside.

A very deadly little secret. . .

Underneath that harmless tattoo is a very serious risk of acquiring a deadly blood-borne disease such as AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tetanus, syphilis, tuberculosis and other blood-born diseases.

An alarming research study recently published by Dr. Bob Haley and Dr. Paul Fischer at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas uncovered that the "innocent" commercial tattoo may be the number one distributor of hepatitis C. The study was published in the journal Medicine (Haley RW, Fischer RP, Commercial tattooing as a potentially source of hepatitis C infection, Medicine, March 2000;80:134-151). Dr. Haley, a preventative medicine specialist and a former Center for Disease Control (CDC) infection control official, is exceptionally knowledgeable to prepare the study.

Dr. Haley concludes, "We found that commercially acquired tattoos accounted for more than twice as many hepatitis C infections as injection-drug use. This means it may have been the largest single contributor to the nationwide epidemic of this form of hepatitis."

Incredible. According to Dr. Haley's research you are twice as likely to be infected with hepatitis C from getting a tattoo from a tattoo shop than shooting up dope! With over 20 million Americans wearing a tattoo – and growing by leaps and bounds – we are likely staring down the barrel of a mammoth deadly epidemic.

The study also found that people who get tattooed in a commercial tattoo parlor were nine times more likely to get hepatitis C! That's nine times more likely to be infected by a deadly, fatal disease. And Dr. Haley is not referring to "backyard-prison-tattoos" but a tattoo from a "sanitized" commercial tattoo shop.

Did you know the deadly disease hepatitis C kills over 10,000 people a year? And sky-rocketing. . . Currently 4 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis C and rising. . . And according to Dr. Haley, it's number one channel -- the deadly tattoo. . . Courtesy of your friendly commercial tattoo parlor.

There is the documentated case of a 22-year-old grocery store employee who simply received his $45 tattoo. And four weeks later – needed a liver transplant! (Mryna L. Armstrong and Lynne Kelly, Tattooing, Body Piercing, and Branding Are on the Rise, The Journal of School Nursing, Feb. 2001, Vol 17 No. 1, p.15)

When you consider hepatitis B can be transmitted with as little as 0.00004 ml of blood, and can live on blood contaminated surfaces, such as needles, tattoo machines, tables, etc. for over two months, the risk of hepatitis is very real indeed.

IMPORTANT: It’s strongly advised for people who have tattoos to get a Hepatitis check. And soon. . . Hepatitis can lie unnoticed for many years while doing serious damage. The sooner hepatitis is detected the better the chances for survival. If you have a tattoo – get checked.

WebMD warns of the "Russian Roulette" tattoo procedure -- as each stick of the tattoo needle opens you up to contracting a deadly disease:

"Hepatitis C is spread by infected blood and infected needles, which is the virus' connection with tattooing. Tattoos involve lots of needles making lots of sticks in the skin. Each stick carries potential for contamination -- and not just with hepatitis, but also HIV, . . ."
(Pamela Anderson Says She Has Hepatitis C, WebMD Medical News, March 21, 2002, content.health.msn.com/content/article/1678.50634)

Still want a tattoo?

Ask actress Pamela Anderson about the harmless tattoo. Pamela contracted the deadly hepatitis C from a simple, small finger "TOMMY" tattoo.

The fact of tattoos spreading deadly diseases is nothing new. It's been known and documented for years.

According to the Hepatitis Control Report, Spring 2001, "Outside the United States, several studies have connected the practice [tattoos] to hepatitis B and C virus transmission. . ."

"Tattooing poses health risks because the process exposes blood and body fluids. Because of this a person who gets tattooed risks getting a disease or infection that is carried through blood. These blood-borne diseases include hepatitis B and C, tetanus, and HIV."
(Bonnie B. Graves, Tattooing and body piercing, p. 40)

"By the middle of the nineteenth century, it was becoming more and more apparent that the practice was not without its medical hazards. For instance, in 1853 the first case was reported of syphilis, transmitted not in the old fashioned way, but via the tattooist’s needle."
(Ronald Scutt, Art, Sex and Symbol, 1974, p. 133)

"In the late 1950’s, a New York City boy contracted blood poisoning from being tattooed with an unsterilized needle."
(Laura Reybold, Everything you need to know about the dangers of tattooing and body piercing, p. 17)

In 1961 an outbreak of hepatitis B in New York City was linked to the tattoo. And the "ultra-liberal" New York City outlawed the deadly tattoo from 1961 until 1997!

Did you know the American Red Cross prohibits donors from donating blood for 12 months - one complete year -- after getting tattooed? Their Blood Donation Eligibility Guidelines under "Tattoo" reads, "Wait 12 months after a tattoo. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis."

Get this. . . According to research published in the Journal of School Health, 70 percent of 642 adolescents surveyed in a study reported hemorrhaging while being tattooed. (Donald Staffo , The Tuscaloosa Times, January 10, 2001)

Despite the attempt of many tattoo websites to nullify the possibility of contracting HIV / AIDS from a tattoo, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) gives a different answer:

"Can I get HIV from getting a tattoo or through body piercing?
A risk of HIV transmission does exist if instruments contaminated with blood are either not sterilized or disinfected or are used inappropriately between clients. CDC recommends that instruments that are intended to penetrate the skin be used once, then disposed of or thoroughly cleaned and sterilized."
(www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/faq/faq27.htm)

Why are tattoos so vulnerable to deadly diseases?

Simple. Because the tattooist is puncturing thousands of tiny potential disease bearing wounds with very little, if any, serious state or federal health regulations. And not only that, many of the customers receiving a tattoo are drug-users, criminals, rock artists, deviants and homosexuals who just happen to be the major carriers of the deadly blood-borne diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis.

And there exists no or very little federal or state laws enforcing any serious sterilization regulations. It is basically up to the tattoo shop owner to sterilize or not sterilize his tattooing tools and procedures.

"Where tattooing is legal, however there is little or no government regulation of tattoo artists. . . Since there is little regulation of tattoo artists, however, it is important to recognize that, as in any field, there may be unscrupulous or incompetent practitioners. Tattooing opens your body to potential infection, disease, and scarring."
(Laura Reybold, Everything you need to know about the dangers of tattooing and body piercing, p. 18)

On their web site, the world-renown, Mayo Clinic sounds a warning about the dangers of the commercial tattoo shop and lack of serious health regulations:

"Keep in mind that tattoo parlors and piercing venues are not held to the same sterility standards as doctors' offices and hospitals. Few states have hygienic regulations to ensure safe tattooing practices in commercial tattoo parlors, and even fewer monitor and enforce standards."
(Body piercing and tattoos: More than skin deep, Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com)

WebMD also acknowledges the lack of sterile regulations missing in most tattoo shops:

"By and large, tattoo artists and shops are not required -- by state or local governments -- to follow the same sterile operating practices as other operations that use needles, like hospitals and doctor's offices."
(Pamela Anderson Says She Has Hepatitis C, WebMD Medical News, March 21, 2002, content.health.msn.com/content/article/1678.50634)

Dennis Dwyer, executive director of the tattoo’s industry voluntary-self-monitoring organization Alliance for Professional Tattoo Artists (APT) readily admits the problem, "Many people are trying their best to provide safe tattooing. But this industry has a lot of nonconformists,"
(Pamela Anderson Says She Has Hepatitis C, WebMD Medical News, March 21, 2002, content.health.msn.com/content/article/1678.50634)

Tattoo industry expert Professor Myrna Alexander of Texas Tech University, who has researched the tattoo industry for 10 years, warns, "There are some very reputable tattoo artists out there. They work hard, and their studios are as clean as medical clinics. They do a good job because they believe what they are doing is art. The problem is, there are many who don't."
(Pamela Anderson Says She Has Hepatitis C, WebMD Medical News, March 21, 2002, content.health.msn.com/content/article/1678.50634)

Most tattoo shops do not and will not advise you to the real potential for serious health dangers. Despite the vast amount of research available (just search the Internet) many tattooist still refuse to acknowledge the very serious health dangers the tattoo invites.

OTHER LITTLE DANGERS

Besides the possibility of killing you with fatal diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis, the "harmless" tattoo provides an arm-load of other ailments.

Tattoos can cause chronic skin disorders such as sarcoid, keloid scarring, allergic dermatitis, photosensitivity reactions, psoriasis, and benign or malignant tumors. (www.saintmarys.edu/~health/dyk0010.html) Many people experience infection and allergic reaction to the tattoo ink.

Also, the pigments in tattoo ink contain small metal fibers such as iron oxide. These metal fibers can cause intense burning pain during an MRI procedure. Some medical institutions refuse to perform MRIs on people with tattoos. The MRI is an important medical procedure and this risk should not be taken lightly. (www.ezpermanentmakeup.com/IronOxideLetters.htm) And every prick is an invitation for blood-bourne diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.

Think before you get that tattoo. . .

A tattooing machine can puncture the skin 3,000 times a minute. And every one of those thousands of punctures creates a hole 1/64 to 1/16th of an inch into the dermis that literally invites infection and disease. Every single puncture of the tattoo needle opens up the real possibility of AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, tetanus, tuberculosis and about any other blood-borne disease. With the average tattoo taking about 60 minutes that equals 180,000 tiny "Russian Roulette" puncture wounds providing a potential path to a very deadly infectious disease.

Beware!
Your tattoo could have inserted more than harmless ink in your exposed flesh.

5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
Psalm 38:5-8

Phobias

Phobias are irrational fears of something that most people are not afraid of, such as spiders, crowds, small spaces or flying. Phobias can cause considerable disruption to life. Phobias affect 4% of men and 13% of women.

About phobias

Common phobias include fears of animals, heights, crowds or social events. People with a phobia may acknowledge that their fear is out of proportion to the true danger or threat, but they cannot control or explain it. If someone does not take steps to overcome a phobia, it can last for years, and can cause considerable disruption to daily life.

Symptoms

Most people have no symptoms until they are faced with their feared situation or object. When they are confronted by this, they have severe symptoms of anxiety. These can be so unpleasant that the person takes elaborate steps to avoid coming into contact with their feared object.
Symptoms of anxiety include:
fast breathing (hyperventilation), which can lead to tingling around the mouth,
being aware of a fast heart beat (palpitations),
a choking sensation,
flushes,
sweating,
feeling faint.
In severe cases, these symptoms can occur even when the person is thinking about being close to the feared object or simply seeing a picture of it.

Causes

The cause of phobias is not well understood. Psychologists who have studied phobias have suggested that they develop from an unpleasant experience in childhood involving the feared object. The unpleasant situation is stored in the person’s memory, bringing on the fear again when the memory is triggered. For some people, the onset of a phobia may be triggered by a stressful life event, such as bereavement.

Types of phobias

There are several different types of phobia:
Specific or simple phobias
These are fears of specific situations such as being close to animals or birds, fear of heights, lifts or other closed spaces (claustrophobia), needles, flying or the sight of blood. These phobias are more common in women, and they often begin in childhood, in some cases after an associated traumatic experience.
People who suffer from these phobias rarely have any other psychiatric or psychological problems.

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia often starts in late adolescence and early adulthood. Strictly speaking, it means a fear of open spaces. In reality it is often used to refer to a fear of crowded places. People with agoraphobia often experience anxiety, panic and depression.
Agoraphobia can be particularly disabling, as many people who suffer from it become completely housebound.

Social phobia

Social phobia occurs when there is an excessive fear of intimate social situations, such as small groups of people at parties. This is different to the fear of contact with crowds of people, as with agoraphobia.
People with social phobia have no confidence with people they do not know, and fear that strangers are being overtly critical of them. They may also fear that they will behave in an embarrassing way, such as blushing or shaking in public.
In some cases, social phobia may lead to excessive drinking, as some people with social phobia feel they need a drink to steady their nerves before any social event. Some people with this disorder have a particular fear of eating in public, or of any encounters with the opposite sex. This may lead to people having very lonely lives, as they try to avoid any social situation outside their immediate family.
Self help for phobias
The personal motivation to expose oneself to the feared object and to tolerate the anxiety is the most important aspect of treatment. Some people find that they can do this on their own, perhaps with the help of books and support from friends and family.
Professional treatment
If self-help techniques do not help, a person with a phobia should talk to their doctor, who may recommend a range of therapies.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

The best treatment for phobia is a psychological treatment called cognitive behavioural therapy. The cognitive element addresses the thoughts about the phobia, while the behavioural part focuses on exposing the person to their feared object or situation, and changing specific actions.
The cognitive aspect teaches people to understand the thinking patterns that contribute to their symptoms and to change their thoughts so that symptoms are less likely to occur.
For example, when the anxiety associated with phobia begins, and the person feels dizzy, they may automatically become alarmed and start thinking "I’m dying". He or she learns to replace this with a more realistic thought such as "It’s just dizziness and I’m going to be OK". Other typical thoughts that may be experienced during exposure such as "I’m in danger" are also challenged.

Exposure therapy

This is part of cognitive behavioural therapy that focuses on behaviour, rather than thoughts.
Exposure therapy involves starting to confront the fear and stopping avoiding it. When exposed to the feared object or situation, the person is taught to tolerate their high levels of anxiety. After 30 minutes or so, anxiety levels naturally fall. The body cannot keep up this highly-aroused state when there is no logical reason to be frightened. People learn to conquer their fears by gradually learning that no catastrophe befalls them during exposure. The degree of exposure is increased gradually.
For example, for someone with a bird phobia, this would start with looking at photographs of birds. They would then move on to handling feathers, then going to areas such as a duck pond and feeding the ducks or eventually even helping to clean out a friend’s birdcage and handling the bird in the process.
It may be helpful for a friend or relative to get involved in the treatment. If a professional is involved, a friend could attend some of the sessions or help with "homework" or practice exposure.

Other types of therapy

Counselling

Counselling is sometimes also called supportive psychotherapy. Some people find it useful to discuss how they have altered their lifestyle to cope with a phobia, and the adjustments they have had to make to avoid the feared situation. However, unless the person actually starts confronting the situation, counselling alone is unlikely to change things.
Discussing the impact of a phobia has on life may be enough to help some people make the decision to change themselves, perhaps with the help of a friend or family member. Many people, however, still need the help of a professional trained to treat phobias.

Relaxation training

There are exercises to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Relaxation training includes breathing exercises and muscular relaxation. For some people, it can be a useful addition before a behavioural therapy programme by providing skills that help reduce anxiety when exposed to the feared object. However, relaxation training alone is not enough to treat a phobia.

Hypnosis

Some people may find this helpful, but there is no scientifically evidence that it is an effective treatment for phobia.

Medication

Medicines are rarely used to treat phobias, though if the person has an associated condition, like depression, this may be treated with medication. Some doctors may prescribe medicines called benzodiazepines (such as diazepam, also known as Valium) to ease symptoms in the initial stages of a psychological programme. However, these can only be taken for short periods because they can lead to dependence.

Other drugs, called beta-blockers, are sometimes used to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and have also been used together with psychological treatment programmes. However, drug treatment alone is usually not enough to effectively treat phobias.

U

Uranophobia Fear of heaven.
Urophobia Fear of urine or urinating.

V

Vaccinophobia Fear of vaccination.
Venustraphobia Fear of beautiful women.
Verbophobia Fear of words.
Verminophobia Fear of germs.
Vestiphobia Fear of clothing.
Virginitiphobia Fear of rape.
Vitricophobia Fear of step

W

Walloonphobia Fear of the Walloons.
Wiccaphobia Fear of witches and witchcraft.

X

Xanthophobia Fear of the color yellow or the word yellow.
Xenoglossophobia Fear of foreign languages.
Xenophobia Fear of strangers or foreigners.
Xerophobia Fear of dryness.
Xylophobia 1) Fear of wooden objects. 2) Forests.
Xyrophobia Fear of razors. Zelophobia

Z

Zemmiphobia Fear of the great mole rat.
Zeusophobia Fear of God or gods.
Zoophobia Fear of animals.

Tachophobia Fear of speed.
Taeniophobia or Teniophobia Fear of tapeworms.
Taphephobia Taphophobia Fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries.
Tapinophobia Fear of being contagious.
Taurophobia Fear of bulls.
Technophobia Fear of technology.
Teleophobia 1) Fear of definite plans. 2) Religious ceremony.
Telephonophobia Fear of telephones.
Teratophobia Fear of bearing a deformed child or fear of monsters or deformed people.
Testophobia Fear of taking tests.
Tetanophobia Fear of lockjaw, tetanus.
Teutophobia Fear of German or German things.
Textophobia Fear of certain fabrics.
Thaasophobia Fear of sitting.
Thalassophobia Fear of the sea.
Thanatophobia or Thantophobia Fear of death or dying.
Theatrophobia Fear of theatres.
Theologicophobia Fear of theology.
Theophobia Fear of gods or religion.
Thermophobia Fear of heat.
Tocophobia Fear of pregnancy or childbirth.
Tomophobia Fear of surgical operations.
Tonitrophobia Fear of thunder.
Topophobia Fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright.
Toxiphobia or Toxophobia or Toxicophobia Fear of poison or of being accidently poisoned.
Traumatophobia Fear of injury.
Tremophobia Fear of trembling.
Trichinophobia Fear of trichinosis.
Trichopathophobia or Trichophobia or Hypertrichophobia Fear of hair. (Chaetophobia)
Triskaidekaphobia Fear of the number 13.
Tropophobia Fear of moving or making changes.
Trypanophobia Fear of injections.
Tuberculophobia Fear of tuberculosis.
Tyrannophobia Fear of tyrants.

Samhainophobia Fear of Halloween.
Sarmassophobia Fear of love play. (Malaxophobia)
Satanophobia Fear of Satan.
Scabiophobia Fear of scabies.
Scatophobia Fear of fecal matter.
Scelerophibia Fear of bad men, burglars.
Sciophobia Sciaphobia Fear of shadows.
Scoleciphobia Fear of worms.
Scolionophobia Fear of school.
Scopophobia or Scoptophobia Fear of being seen or stared at.
Scotomaphobia Fear of blindness in visual field.
Scotophobia Fear of darkness. (Achluophobia)
Scriptophobia Fear of writing in public.
Selachophobia Fear of sharks.
Selaphobia Fear of light flashes.
Selenophobia Fear of the moon.
Seplophobia Fear of decaying matter.
Sesquipedalophobia Fear of long words.
Sexophobia Fear of the opposite sex. (Heterophobia)
Siderodromophobia Fear of trains, railroads or train travel.
Siderophobia Fear of stars.
Sinistrophobia Fear of things to the left, left
Sinophobia Fear of Chinese, Chinese culture.
Sitophobia or Sitiophobia Fear of food or eating. (Cibophobia)
Snakephobia Fear of snakes. (Ophidiophobia)
Soceraphobia Fear of parents
Social Phobia Fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations.
Sociophobia Fear of society or people in general.
Somniphobia Fear of sleep.
Sophophobia Fear of learning.
Soteriophobia Fear of dependence on others.
Spacephobia Fear of outer space.
Spectrophobia Fear of specters or ghosts.
Spermatophobia or Spermophobia Fear of germs.
Spheksophobia Fear of wasps.
Stasibasiphobia or Stasiphobia Fear of standing or walking. (Ambulophobia)
Staurophobia Fear of crosses or the crucifix.
Stenophobia Fear of narrow things or places.
Stygiophobia or Stigiophobia Fear of hell.
Suriphobia Fear of mice.
Symbolophobia Fear of symbolism.
Symmetrophobia Fear of symmetry.
Syngenesophobia Fear of relatives.
Syphilophobia Fear of syphilis.

Pagophobia Fear of ice or frost.
Panophobia or Pantophobia Fear of everything.
Panthophobia Fear of suffering and disease.
Papaphobia Fear of the Pope.
Papyrophobia Fear of paper.
Paralipophobia Fear of neglecting duty or responsibility.
Paraphobia Fear of sexual perversion.
Parasitophobia Fear of parasites.
Paraskavedekatriaphobia Fear of Friday the 13th.
Parthenophobia Fear of virgins or young girls.
Parturiphobia Fear of childbirth.
Pathophobia Fear of disease.
Patroiophobia Fear of heredity.
Peccatophobia Fear of sinning. (imaginary crime)
Pediculophobia Fear of lice.
Pediophobia Fear of dolls.
Pedophobia Fear of children.
Peladophobia Fear of bald people.
Pellagrophobia Fear of pellagra.
Peniaphobia Fear of poverty.
Pentheraphobia Fear of mother
Phagophobia Fear of swallowing or of eating or of being eaten.
Phalacrophobia Fear of becoming bald.
Phallophobia Fear of a penis, esp erect.
Pharmacophobia Fear of taking medicine.
Pharmacophobia Fear of drugs.
Phasmophobia Fear of ghosts.
Phengophobia Fear of daylight or sunshine.
Philemaphobia or Philematophobia Fear of kissing.
Philophobia Fear of falling in love or being in love.
Philosophobia Fear of philosophy.
Phobophobia Fear of phobias.
Phonophobia Fear of noises or voices or one's own voice; of telephones.
Photoaugliaphobia Fear of glaring lights.
Photophobia Fear of light.
Phronemophobia Fear of thinking.
Phthiriophobia Fear of lice. (Pediculophobia)
Phthisiophobia Fear of tuberculosis.
Placophobia Fear of tombstones.
Plutophobia Fear of wealth.
Pluviophobia Fear of rain or of being rained on.
Pneumatiphobia Fear of spirits.
Pnigophobia or Pnigerophobia Fear of choking of being smothered.
Pocrescophobia Fear of gaining weight. (Obesophobia)
Pogonophobia Fear of beards.
Poinephobia Fear of punishment.
Poliosophobia Fear of contracting poliomyelitis.
Politicophobia Fear or abnormal dislike of politicians.
Polyphobia Fear of many things.
Ponophobia Fear of overworking or of pain.
Porphyrophobia Fear of the color purple.
Potamophobia Fear of rivers or running water.
Potophobia Fear of alcohol.
Proctophobia Fear of rectum.
Prosophobia Fear of progress.
Psellismophobia Fear of stuttering.
Psychophobia Fear of mind.
Psychrophobia Fear of cold.
Pteromerhanophobia Fear of flying.
Pteronophobia Fear of being tickled by feathers.
Pupaphobia fear of puppets.
Pyrexiophobia Fear of Fever.
Pyrophobia Fear of fire.

Obesophobia Fear of gaining weight.(Pocrescophobia)
Ochlophobia Fear of crowds or mobs.
Ochophobia Fear of vehicles.
Octophobia Fear of the figure 8.
Odontophobia Fear of teeth or dental surgery.
Odynophobia or Odynephobia Fear of pain. (Algophobia)
Oenophobia Fear of wines.
Oikophobia Fear of home surroundings, house.
Olfactophobia Fear of smells.
Ombrophobia Fear of rain or of being rained on.
Ommetaphobia or Ommatophobia Fear of eyes.
Oneirogmophobia Fear of wet dreams.
Oneirophobia Fear of dreams.
Onomatophobia Fear of hearing a certain word or of names.
Ophidiophobia Fear of snakes. (Snakephobia)
Ophthalmophobia Fear of being stared at.
Opiophobia Fear medical doctors experience of prescribing needed pain medications for patients.
Optophobia Fear of opening one's eyes.
Ornithophobia Fear of birds.
Orthophobia Fear of property.
Osmophobia or Osphresiophobia Fear of smells or odors.
Ostraconophobia Fear of shellfish.
Ouranophobia Fear of heaven.

Nebulaphobia Fear of fog. (Homichlophobia)
Necrophobia Fear of death or dead things.
Nelophobia Fear of glass.
Neopharmaphobia Fear of new drugs.
Neophobia Fear of anything new.
Nephophobia Fear of clouds.
Noctiphobia Fear of the night.
Nomatophobia Fear of names.
Nosocomephobia Fear of hospitals.
Nosophobia or Nosemaphobia Fear of becoming ill.
Nostophobia Fear of returning home.
Novercaphobia Fear of your step
Nucleomituphobia Fear of nuclear weapons.
Nudophobia Fear of nudity.
Numerophobia Fear of numbers.
Nyctohylophobia Fear of dark wooded areas, of forests at night
Nyctophobia Fear of the dark or of night.

Macrophobia Fear of long waits.
Mageirocophobia Fear of cooking.
Maieusiophobia Fear of childbirth.
Malaxophobia Fear of love play. (Sarmassophobia)
Maniaphobia Fear of insanity.
Mastigophobia Fear of punishment.
Mechanophobia Fear of machines.
Medomalacuphobia Fear of losing an erection.
Medorthophobia Fear of an erect penis.
Megalophobia Fear of large things.
Melanophobia Fear of the color black.
Melissophobia Fear of bees.
Melophobia Fear or hatred of music.
Meningitophobia Fear of brain disease.
Menophobia Fear of menstruation.
Merinthophobia Fear of being bound or tied up.
Metallophobia Fear of metal.
Metathesiophobia Fear of changes.
Meteorophobia Fear of meteors.
Methyphobia Fear of alcohol.
Metrophobia Fear or hatred of poetry.
Microbiophobia Fear of microbes. (Bacillophobia)
Microphobia Fear of small things.
Misophobia Fear of being contaminated with dirt of germs.
Mnemophobia Fear of memories.
Molysmophobia or Molysomophobia Fear of dirt or contamination.
Monopathophobia Fear of definite disease.
Monophobia Fear of solitude or being alone.
Motorphobia Fear of automobiles.
Mottephobia Fear of moths.
Musophobia or Murophobia Fear of mice.
Mycophobia Fear or aversion to mushrooms.
Mycrophobia Fear of small things.
Myctophobia Fear of darkness.
Myrmecophobia Fear of ants.
Mysophobia Fear of germs or contamination or dirt.
Mythophobia Fear of myths or stories or false statements.
Myxophobia Fear of slime. (Blennophobia)

Lachanophobia Fear of vegetables.
Laliophobia or Lalophobia Fear of speaking.
Leprophobia or Lepraphobia Fear of leprosy.
Leukophobia Fear of the color white.
Levophobia Fear of things to the left side of the body.
Ligyrophobia Fear of loud noises.
Lilapsophobia Fear of tornadoes and hurricanes.
Limnophobia Fear of lakes.
Linonophobia Fear of string.
Liticaphobia Fear of lawsuits.
Lockiophobia Fear of childbirth.
Logizomechanophobia Fear of computers.
Logophobia Fear of words.
Luiphobia Fear of lues, syphillis.
Lutraphobia Fear of otters.
Lygophobia Fear of darkness.
Lyssophobia Fear of rabies or of becoming mad.

Kainolophobia Fear of novelty.
Kainophobia Fear of anything new, novelty.
Kakorrhaphiophobia Fear of failure or defeat.
Katagelophobia Fear of ridicule.
Kathisophobia Fear of sitting down.
Kenophobia Fear of voids or empty spaces.
Keraunophobia Fear of thunder and lightning.
Kinetophobia or Kinesophobia Fear of movement or motion.
Kleptophobia Fear of stealing.
Koinoniphobia Fear of rooms.
Kolpophobia Fear of genitals, particularly female.
Koniophobia Fear of dust. (Amathophobia)
Kopophobia Fear of fatigue.
Kosmikophobia Fear of cosmic phenomenon.
Kymophobia Fear of waves.
Kynophobia Fear of rabies.
Kyphophobia Fear of stooping.

Japanophobia Fear of Japanese.
Judeophobia Fear of Jews.

Iatrophobia Fear of going to the doctor or of doctors.
Ichthyophobia Fear of fish.
Ideophobia Fear of ideas.
Illyngophobia Fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down.
Insectophobia Fear of insects.
Iophobia Fear of poison.
Isolophobia Fear of solitude, being alone.
Isopterophobia Fear of termites, insects that eat wood.
Ithyphallophobia Fear of seeing, thinking about or having an erect penis.

Hadephobia Fear of hell.
Hagiophobia Fear of saints or holy things.
Hamartophobia Fear of sinning.
Haphephobia or Haptephobia Fear of being touched.
Harpaxophobia Fear of being robbed.
Hedonophobia Fear of feeling pleasure.
Heliophobia Fear of the sun.
Hellenologophobia Fear of Greek terms or complex scientific terminology.
Helminthophobia Fear of being infested with worms.
Hemophobia or Hemaphobia or Hematophobia Fear of blood.
Heresyphobia or Hereiophobia Fear of challenges to official doctrine or of radical deviation.
Herpetophobia Fear of reptiles or creepy, crawly things.
Heterophobia Fear of the opposite sex. (Sexophobia)
Hierophobia Fear of priests or sacred things.
Hippophobia Fear of horses.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia Fear of long words.
Hobophobia Fear of bums or beggars.
Hodophobia Fear of road travel.
Homichlophobia Fear of fog.
Homilophobia Fear of sermons.
Hominophobia Fear of men.
Homophobia Fear of sameness, monotony or of homosexuality or of becoming homosexual.
Hoplophobia Fear of firearms.
Hormephobia Fear of shock.
Hydrargyophobia Fear of mercurial medicines.
Hydrophobia Fear of water or of rabies.
Hydrophobophobia Fear of rabies.
Hyelophobia or Hyalophobia Fear of glass.
Hygrophobia Fear of liquids, dampness, or moisture.
Hylephobia Fear of materialism OR the fear of epilepsy.
Hylophobia Fear of forests.
Hypengyophobia or Hypegiaphobia Fear of responsibility.
Hypnophobia Fear of sleep or of being hypnotized.
Hypsiphobia Fear of height.

Galeophobia or Gatophobia Fear of cats.
Gallophobia or Galiophobia Fear France, French culture. (Francophobia)
Gamophobia Fear of marriage.
Geliophobia Fear of laughter.
Geniophobia Fear of chins.
Genophobia Fear of sex.
Genuphobia Fear of knees.
Gephyrophobia, Gephydrophobia, or Gephysrophobia Fear of crossing bridges.
Gerascophobia Fear of growing old.
Germanophobia Fear of Germany, German culture, etc.
Gerontophobia Fear of old people or of growing old.
Geumaphobia or Geumophobia Fear of taste.
Glossophobia Fear of speaking in public or of trying to speak.
Gnosiophobia Fear of knowledge.
Graphophobia Fear of writing or handwriting.
Gymnophobia Fear of nudity.
Gynephobia or Gynophobia Fear of women.

Febriphobia, Fibriphobia or Fibriophobia Fear of fever.
Felinophobia Fear of cats. (Ailurophobia, Elurophobia, Galeophobia, Gatophobia)
Francophobia Fear of France, French culture. (Gallophobia, Galiophobia)
Frigophobia Fear of cold, cold things.

Ecclesiophobia Fear of church.
Ecophobia Fear of home.
Eicophobia or Oikophobia Fear of home surroundings.
Eisoptrophobia Fear of mirrors or of seeing oneself in a mirror.
Electrophobia Fear of electricity.
Eleutherophobia Fear of freedom.
Elurophobia Fear of cats. (Ailurophobia)
Emetophobia Fear of vomiting.
Enetophobia Fear of pins.
Enochlophobia Fear of crowds.
Enosiophobia or Enissophobia Fear of having committed an unpardonable sin or of criticism.
Entomophobia Fear of insects.
Eosophobia Fear of dawn or daylight.
Ephebiphobia Fear of teenagers.
Epistaxiophobia Fear of nosebleeds.
Epistemophobia Fear of knowledge.
Equinophobia Fear of horses.
Eremophobia Fear of being oneself or of lonliness.
Ereuthrophobia Fear of blushing.
Ergasiophobia 1) Fear of work or functioning. 2) Surgeon's fear of operating.
Ergophobia Fear of work.
Erotophobia Fear of sexual love or sexual questions.
Erythrophobia, Erytophobia or Ereuthophobia 1) Fear of redlights. 2) Blushing. 3) Red.
Euphobia Fear of hearing good news.
Eurotophobia Fear of female genitalia.

Decidophobia Fear of making decisions.
Defecaloesiophobia Fear of painful bowels movements.
Deipnophobia Fear of dining or dinner conversations.
Dementophobia Fear of insanity.
Demonophobia or Daemonophobia Fear of demons.
Demophobia Fear of crowds. (Agoraphobia)
Dendrophobia Fear of trees.
Dentophobia Fear of dentists.
Dermatophobia Fear of skin lesions.
Dermatosiophobia or Dermatophobia or Dermatopathophobia Fear of skin disease.
Dextrophobia Fear of objects at the right side of the body.
Diabetophobia Fear of diabetes.
Didaskaleinophobia Fear of going to school.
Dikephobia Fear of justice.
Dinophobia Fear of dizziness or whirlpools.
Diplophobia Fear of double vision.
Dipsophobia Fear of drinking.
Dishabiliophobia Fear of undressing in front of someone.
Domatophobia or Oikophobia Fear of houses or being in a house.
Doraphobia Fear of fur or skins of animals.
Doxophobia Fear of expressing opinions or of receiving praise.
Dromophobia Fear of crossing streets.
Dutchphobia Fear of the Dutch.
Dysmorphophobia Fear of deformity.
Dystychiphobia Fear of accidents

Cacophobia Fear of ugliness.
Cainophobia or Cainotophobia Fear of newness, novelty.
Caligynephobia Fear of beautiful women.
Cancerophobia Fear of cancer.
Carcinophobia Fear of cancer.
Cardiophobia Fear of the heart.
Carnophobia Fear of meat.
Catagelophobia Fear of being ridiculed.
Catapedaphobia Fear of jumping from high and low places.
Cathisophobia Fear of sitting.
Catoptrophobia Fear of mirrors.
Cenophobia or Centophobia Fear of new things or ideas.
Ceraunophobia Fear of thunder.
Chaetophobia Fear of hair.
Cheimaphobia or Cheimatophobia Fear of cold.
Chemophobia Fear of chemicals or working with chemicals.
Cherophobia Fear of gaiety.
Chionophobia Fear of snow.
Chiraptophobia Fear of being touched.
Chirophobia Fear of hands.
Cholerophobia Fear of anger or the fear of cholera.
Chorophobia Fear of dancing.
Chrometophobia or Chrematophobia Fear of money.
Chromophobia or Chromatophobia Fear of colors.
Chronomentrophobia Fear of clocks.
Chronophobia Fear of time.
Cibophobia or Sitophobia or Sitiophobia Fear of food.
Claustrophobia Fear of confined spaces.
Cleithrophobia or Cleisiophobia Fear of being locked in an enclosed place.
Cleptophobia Fear of stealing.
Climacophobia Fear of stairs, climbing or of falling downstairs.
Clinophobia Fear of going to bed.
Clithrophobia or Cleithrophobia Fear of being enclosed.
Cnidophobia Fear of stings.
Coimetrophobia Fear of cemeteries.
Coitophobia Fear of coitus.
Cometophobia Fear of comets.
Contreltophobia Fear of sexual abuse.
Coprastasophobia Fear of constipation.
Coprophobia Fear of feces.
Coulrophobia Fear of clowns.
Counterphobia The preference by a phobic for fearful situations.
Cremnophobia Fear of precipices.
Cryophobia Fear of extreme cold, ice or frost.
Crystallophobia Fear of crystals or glass.
Cyberphobia Fear of computers or working on a computer.
Cyclophobia Fear of bicycles.
Cymophobia Fear of waves or wave like motions.
Cynophobia Fear of dogs or rabies.
Cypridophobia, Cypriphobia, Cyprianophobia, or Cyprinophobia Fear of prostitutes or venereal disease.

Bacillophobia Fear of microbes.
Bacteriophobia Fear of bacteria.
Ballistophobia Fear of missiles or bullets.
Barophobia Fear of gravity.
Basophobia or Basiphobia Inability to stand. Fear of walking or falling.
Bathmophobia Fear of stairs or steep slopes.
Bathophobia Fear of depth.
Batophobia Fear of heights or being close to high buildings.
Batrachophobia Fear of amphibians, such as frogs, newts, salamanders, etc.
Belonephobia Fear of pins and needles. (Aichmophobia)
Bibliophobia Fear of books.
Blennophobia Fear of slime.
Bogyphobia Fear of bogies or the bogeyman.
Bolshephobia Fear of Bolsheviks.
Botanophobia Fear of plants.
Bromidrosiphobia or Bromidrophobia Fear of body smells.
Brontophobia Fear of thunder and lightning.
Bufonophobia Fear of toads.

A

Ablutophobia Fear of washing or bathing.
Acarophobia Fear of itching or of the insects that cause itching.
Acerophobia Fear of sourness.
Achluophobia Fear of darkness.
Acousticophobia Fear of noise.
Acrophobia Fear of heights.
Aeroacrophobia Fear of open high places.
Aeronausiphobia Fear of vomiting secondary to airsickness.
Aerophobia Fear of drafts, air swallowing, or airbourne noxious substances.
Agateophobia Fear of insanity.
Agliophobia Fear of pain.
Agoraphobia Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places like markets. Fear
of leaving a safe place.
Agraphobia Fear of sexual abuse.
Agrizoophobia Fear of wild animals.
Agyrophobia Fear of streets or crossing the street.
Aichmophobia Fear of needles or pointed objects.
Ailurophobia Fear of cats.
Albuminurophobia Fear of kidney disease.
Alektorophobia Fear of chickens.
Algophobia Fear of pain.
Alliumphobia Fear of garlic.
Allodoxaphobia Fear of opinions.
Altophobia Fear of heights.
Amathophobia Fear of dust.
Amaxophobia Fear of riding in a car.
Ambulophobia Fear of walking.
Amnesiphobia Fear of amnesia.
Amychophobia Fear of scratches or being scratched.
Anablephobia Fear of looking up.
Ancraophobia or Anemophobia Fear of wind.
Androphobia Fear of men.
Anemophobia Fear of air drafts or wind.
Anginophobia Fear of angina, choking or narrowness.
Anglophobia Fear of England, English culture, etc.
Angrophobia Fear of anger or of becoming angry.
Ankylophobia Fear of immobility of a joint.
Anthrophobia or Anthophobia Fear of flowers.
Anthropophobia Fear of people or society.
Antlophobia Fear of floods.
Anuptaphobia Fear of staying single.
Apeirophobia Fear of infinity.
Aphenphosmphobia Fear of being touched. (Haphephobia)
Apiphobia Fear of bees.
Apotemnophobia Fear of persons with amputations.
Arachibutyrophobia Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth.
Arachnephobia Fear of spiders.
Arithmophobia Fear of numbers.
Arrhenphobia Fear of men.
Arsonphobia Fear of fire.
Asthenophobia Fear of fainting or weakness.
Astraphobia or Astrapophobia Fear of thunder and lightning.
Astrophobia Fear of stars and celestial space.
Asymmetriphobia Fear of asymmetrical things.
Ataxiophobia Fear of ataxia (muscular incoordination)
Ataxophobia Fear of disorder or untidiness.
Atelophobia Fear of imperfection.
Atephobia Fear of ruin or ruins.
Athazagoraphobia Fear of being forgotton or ignored or forgetting.
Atomosophobia Fear of atomic explosions.
Atychiphobia Fear of failure.
Aulophobia Fear of flutes.
Aurophobia Fear of gold.
Auroraphobia Fear of Northern lights.
Autodysomophobia Fear of one that has a vile odor.
Automatonophobia Fear of ventriloquist's dummies, animatronic creatures, wax statues
Automysophobia Fear of being dirty.
Autophobia Fear of being alone or of oneself.
Aviophobia or Aviatophobia Fear of flying.

Causes of Depression: Stress, Genetics and Chemical Imbalance

The question of what causes depression has no simple answers. All that is known for certain is that depression is the leading reason people seek mental health care. A clear connection exists between depression and biochemical imbalances in the brain. It's less clear whether external factors (stress orgrief, for example) cause the biochemical imbalance, or if the biochemical imbalance makes a depressed patient more susceptible to the external factors.
What is known is that almost one third of all mental health patients suffer from depression. And professionals suspect that many more people suffer through bouts of depression without receiving the mental health care they need. Often, substance abuse is seen with sufferers of depression, perhaps as an attempt to self-medicate and alter and improve their daily perception of life.

Ten percent of the male population will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Rates of depression in women are even higher – 25 percent. Teenage depression is also on the rise, a problem that's reflected in the fact that half a million teenagers attempt suicide every year in the United States alone.

The Genetic Connection

Some types of depression, such as bipolar disorder and severe major depression, appear to run in families, which indicates a genetic susceptibility to depression. However, just because one family member suffers from depression, does not automatically mean that other family members will be affected. And people with no family history of depression are also affected, so depression is more than genetic.

The Stress Factor

Emotional and medical stress can also influence the predisposition, occurrence and severity of depression. A family crisis, personal loss, chronic illness, problems at home, at work or with finances can trigger depression symptoms. Stress plays an important role in depression. In fact, a vital aspect of depression treatment is stress reduction.

The Role of Serotonin

Recent studies have indicated that imbalances in the brain's serotonin levels can cause depression. Serotonin is one of the key mood regulators in the human brain. Too little serotonin leads to depression, and irregular serotonin levels contribute to bipolar disorders or manic depression. A new family of pharmaceuticals called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help regulate the brain's serotonin levels, and bring relief to those suffering from depression.No one is entirely certain whether personal experience or biochemical imbalances cause depression. Both therapy and drug treatments have proven effective in combating major depression, so the answer may lie somewhere in between.

Teenage and Childhood Depression

Childhood depression is a very real problem: a problem compounded by the common misconception that children don't get depressed. In fact, 2.5 percent of children suffer from major depressive incidents. Triggers such as divorce, the death of a friend or family member, or family problems may trigger childhood depression. It's not often discussed, but young children suffering from depression do attempt suicide, and, sadly, often succeed.
Symptoms of Childhood Depression
Warning signs that could indicate a child is struggling with depression include:
frequent complaints of vague physical ailments (headaches, stomachaches, fatigue)
sudden drop in school performance
lack of interest in play
excessive concern with failure
frequent irritability, crying
lack of social interaction
boredom
attempts to run away from home
reckless behavior.

Teenage Depression

The moody, irritable, anxiety-ridden teenager is a common stereotype, and certainly many teens fall into this category. Adolescence is a turbulent time. Teenagers have to deal with sudden body changes, peer groups, and an emerging sense of self. In all the confusion, it's easy to miss the signs of teenage depression.Unfortunately, many instances of teenage depression lead to suicide attempts. Talk of suicide must always be taken seriously: seventy percent of teenagers who talk about committing suicide eventually make a serious attempt to end their lives. In a study done in 1997, suicide was the third leading cause of death in the 10 to 24 year old age group.A cautionary note on the suicidal teen who is receiving treatment for depression: teens (and adults, too) are most likely to commit suicide as the treatment begins to work. While depressed, many people lack the energy to attempt suicide. Treatment of depression takes time, and the teen's energy level may rise while he or she is still suicidal. Special care and attention should be given during this time.

Dealing with a Depressed Family Member

Even if only one member of your family exhibits the signs of depression, the illness affects the entire family. It isn't unusual for family members of a depressed person to begin developing depression symptoms themselves. After all, depression can be triggered by stress, and living with a loved one who displays all the signs of depression is incredibly stressful.
How should family or friends deal with a depressed loved one? Ignoring the depression won't work – for the safety of the person suffering depression, symptoms should not be ignored. Some people choose to resist the warning signs of depression – telling the depressed person to "suck it in," or "shape up or ship out." Again, this is likely to make symptoms that much worse.Offering a sympathetic ear may help. Although many people feel that talking about the problem may make things worse, this is rarely the case. Many depressed people lack the energy to seek help for themselves. Instead of waiting to be asked for help, try offering it. And keep your hopes up: most depressive incidents are temporary.

Seeking Professional Help

Many people who suffer from depression are hesitant to seek help, thinking that their HMO or doctor will be obliged to share the information with their employer. Rest assured that your medical records and anything that you share with your doctor is confidential information.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

The winter blahs are common enough for most of us. We sleep more in the winter, and tend to eat more, too. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, refers to an extreme reaction to the dull days of winter and shorter periods of daylight. Every winter, SAD sufferers exhibit all the signs of depression. Seasonal affective disorder usually tends to start in September, reaches its peak during the darkest months of the year, and then loosens its grip around April, when days start to lengthen again.The lack of bright light during the winter months affects the brain in those suffering from seasonal affective disorder. To combat the disorder, sufferers can use special light boxes that mimic the sun's rays. As little as half an hour a day of light box therapy (phototherapy) will alleviate SAD symptoms.

Depression in Women

Depression occurs in women twice as often as in men. Rates of seasonal affective disorder and chronic depression in women are also higher. While associated alcohol and substance abuse is lower in women, depressed women suffer more often from eating disorders, migraine headaches, and anxiety disorders. Women are also more likely than men to seek help for their symptoms.Postpartum Depression: Postpartum depression, or simply PPD, is quite common: the disorder affects ten to twenty percent of new mothers. This makes it one of the leading causes of depression in women. Postpartum depression is often confused with the "baby blues" – that feeling of being overwhelmed, combined with the sudden mood swings that occur after the birth of a baby. A week or so of the blues is fairly normal. If symptoms last longer, or if the mother seems likely to harm the baby, she is probably experiencing PPD and immediate medical attention is necessary.Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Women with PMDD suffer the symptoms of depression only during the premenstrual period or symptoms become more severe during this period. PMDD is a debilitating condition affecting three to five percent of women and manifests itself as a combination of depression and anxiety coupled with both physical and mental symptoms. Unfortunately, women often mistake PMDD for PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and don't seek help. If you are experiencing debilitating premenstrual symptoms talk with your doctor about treatment.

Recognizing Symptoms of Depression
In the normal course of life, everyone has times when they feel somewhat less than happy and optimistic. Although many people attribute their feelings of sadness or lethargy to the onset of depression, it's important to understand that medical professionals have specific indicators that they use to make a diagnosis of clinical depression. When you know more about what's wrong you can make it right.

Let's start with the word "clinical." By definition, a condition is clinical if it is directly observed. That is, the professional does not count on a patient's self-report but is more likely to check for symptoms of depression that can be observed and documented. Clinical depression is a phrase used to describe a condition serious enough to require clinical (professional) and possibly pharmacological intervention. Clinical depression, according to medical sources, lasts more than two weeks and is usually not precipitated by anything external.


For example, if you've just lost your job and have no money in your bank account, you may feel stressed, anxious, panicked, and unable to function. However, most of your friends and family would reasonably conclude that it's quite normal to feel that way. Although your reaction might match the symptoms of depression, a traumatic event precipitated them and your state of anxiety would not be diagnosed as clinical depression. Clearly, a new and better job would probably end the negative feelings in an instant.

Of the many different mood disorders, depression is the most common, and one of the most misunderstood. While modern research indicates that brain chemical imbalances cause the condition, many people still believe that chronic depression indicates a weak personality or character flaw. This makes seeking help difficult, as people hesitate before admitting this "weakness" to family, friends or doctors. Imagine the devastation and suffering if people hid a major illness such as cancer from the world.

Mood disorders – especially depression – are very common. Chances are that someone you know, or you yourself, suffers from a mood disorder. And the majority of depressive disorders go untreated. Healing starts with learning to recognize the symptoms of depression in yourself or a loved one.


Symptoms of Depression
persistent sadness or unhappiness

lethargy

loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities

irritability

sudden change in appetite

disruption of normal sleep pattern

physical discomfort

difficulty thinking or concentrating

thoughts of suicide or death.
Depression in America
Approximately 18.8 million adult Americans, an alarming 9.5 percent, suffer from some form of depressive disorder in any given year, making it the most widespread of all mood disorders.
Chronic Depression
The death of a loved one, health problems, financial stress or other traumatic life events can trigger a variety of depressive mood disorders. In these instances, an identifiable trigger can be associated with the onset of the disorder. Some people suffer from what is termed chronic depression. The affected individual goes through depressive episodes interspersed with periods of time when the symptoms of depression seem to disappear. The disorder can be a lifelong struggle.

You don't have to suffer. Many treatments are available that can help you get your life back

Depression will strike everyone at one point in their life. Many myths and legends that are traded about the disease mislead you into forming bad opinions.


Depression will strike everyone at one point in their life. It is a natural reaction to hardships and trauma we face everyday. Many myths and legends that are traded about the disease mislead you into forming bad opinions. By dispelling the myths, you take the first step word understanding. This in turn shows the way to prevention and possibly even cure.

Myth 1
The blues and depression are not one in the same. The blues are short term and not even considered mild depression. Depression is long term and or can be repetitive. The two do share some common links. Allowing yourself to prolong the blues can lead to mild depression. Untreated mild depression can lead to major depression and related disorders. Being proactive with both the blues and depression can lead to cure.

Myth 2
Depression is not a weakness. Depression is not a personality flaw. The disease has these false beliefs attached to it. The truth is depression is an illness. It has many causes and caught early enough, it can be handled or cured. Left alone it can manifest into a major disorder in any number of ways.

Myth 3
Depression is not a psychosis. There are psychosis disorders that can evolve from depression. Throughout history, depression has been depicted as a psychotic break of sorts. This is mainly due to the fact since depression was misunderstood or misdiagnosed it was allowed to progress into a greater disorder. Some of the disorders were misinterpreted as a form of psychosis. An example of a depression related disorder that was misinterpreted is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It was first thought to be a form of schizophrenia. A person afflicted with this disorder actually will perform conflicting actions as if by different personalities. Instead, it has been found that the cause is root in depression clouding the mind. This is a simplified explanation of one part of BPD condition. I do have to point out there are two other schools of thought on BPD. There is a school that does not recognize BPD as a genuine disorder. On the flip side, there is a third school of thought that when a diagnosis is unclear just labels the condition as a result of BPD. Both of the schools are judges by the main faction as irresponsible toward respecting the disorder.

Myth 4
Stress is not a form or depression. Stress can lead to depression. I have been asked about the stress-depression relationship in every forum or lecture I have been in. It is important to practice stress reduction. The pace and demands of our society make it difficult, but it can be done. Ease up on the stress and you take positive action to preventing depression. I truly believe managing stress should be a standard subject taught in the middle years of schooling for kids. If not then, before graduation and moving on to college or the work force full time. Teaching stress management in the formative years will offer children a step up in life.

Myth 5
For normal people depression will pass in time. This is a risky assumption. It can happen, but it is not always the case. The best course of action with depression is to be proactive. It may be a physical problem caused by hormonal imbalances. Some feel express their reactions to a person experiencing depression with a simple "Cheer up" chant. They mean well because these people are confusing depression with the blues. They do not have any depression awareness.

Myth 6
It runs in the family so you will get it. Not necessarily a truism, but it is a red flag. Depression is known to run in families and is considered potentially hereditary. Research has not been able to sort out the heredity factors from the environment factors. You do not quarantine humans for a study. You can only take an overview. That overview has many exceptions. Yes, it is a sign of a high-risk possibility, but not a certainty.

Myth 7
People who suffer depression need to coddled is a major farce of the depression mythology. Coddling is a form of over protection. When people react that, way they aggravate the depression problem. People who allow themselves to be coddled constantly experience lowered self esteem. Another outcropping of this form of reacting is people give the sufferer a free pass in the overall responsibility of their actions. This not only feeds the depression, but also creates a form of emotional manipulation the sufferer learns to take advantage of. Then, if and when you do demand they be responsible for their actions, animosity feeds into the depressive disorder. In a sense, a fine line is drawn with this aspect of relating to a depressive person.

Myth 8
Depression is a never-ending life long battle. Actually, if caught early enough depression can be treated and even cured. It is not always the case. The biggest problem with depression is most cases go untreated or treated improperly.

These are just a handful of the myths surrounding depression. In the future, I will look into other aspects of the disease. The key to depression awareness is knowledge. Knowledge gives us a chance to achieve prevention and cure. And last let us not forget Jesus where we can ran to him anytime and rest. If everything seems dark and hopeless, the Love of God to us never fails. We will just have to trust to Jesus because he will provide an escape in every difficult circumstances we have to encounter.

About ten percent of Americans suffer from a depressive illness. Some experts estimate that four to five percent of adolescents suffer from teen depression. If you suffer from clinical depression, you can't just "pull yourself together" and get better. Professional intervention is necessary.

Because most depressed young adults do not seek help on their own, your parents, teachers, school counselors and coaches have to recognize the symptoms and know something about teen suicide facts and signs. Without treatment, your illness can last for weeks, months, years, or a lifetime and can have impact on all aspects of your life.
High Risk Factors For Teen Depression
The following situations indicate that you may be at risk:
traumatic events or changes in your life (an abusive parent, divorce, death of a loved one, or breaking up with a longtime girlfriend or boyfriend, for example)

difficult coping with your anger

problems in school

lifestyle changes such as weight loss, weight gain, or difficulty sleeping

a desire to drink alcohol or use drugs

an interest in violence or a growing fear of violence.
As the rate of teen depression rises, so does the incidence of suicide. An estimated eighty percent of adolescents contemplating suicide will give clues that they are suicidal. One of your friends may have indicated that he or she wants to "give up" or "end the misery." If you suspect that someone you know is desperate for help, tell an adult—a teacher, a counselor, or a coach. If they ignore you, tell someone else.


Teen Suicide Facts
Did you know . . .
Each year 500,000 young adults, aged 15 to 25, attempt suicide.

Each year 5,000 young adults succeed.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 25 year olds.

Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death among 5 to 14 year olds.

Young adult males succeed at suicide almost two times as often as any other group.

Without treatment, of those who attempt suicide, 80 percent are likely to try again.

Teen depression almost always leads to suicidal thoughts.
While the above teen suicide facts are astounding, here are some positives about teen depression and suicide:
The number one cause of teen suicide is untreated depression.

Most suicidal teens respond positively to psychotherapy and medication.

Nearly 90 percent of depressed people benefit from medication.

Those contemplating suicide can be "talked out of it."
The Truth About Teen Stress
Yes, teen stress is very real. You are physically, emotionally and mentally developing at a very rapid rate. Hormones kick in. Parents expect you to make decisions about your future. Pressure to do well in school, excel at athletics or put a lot of time into studying and community activities comes from your parents, your teachers and your peers. Social pressures can be intense. Teen stress can cause sleep disturbance, anger, inability to concentrate, nervousness, headaches, nausea, social withdrawal and depression