We're all afraid of something. In fact, there's a phobia for nearly everything. However, these phobias aren't your typical fear of spiders or heights. Here are 13 phobias you've probably never heard of before, but are very, very real. Who knows, maybe you even have one.
1. Ablutophobia
This phobia is the fear of bathing or showering yourself, and people with this phobia can go weeks without bathing. You may not want to sit too close to someone with this fear.
2. Chaetophobia
Ever feel your hair fall on your shoulder and think it was a spider crawling on you? This fear is something like that, but much more extreme. Chaetophobia is the fear of your own hair.
3. Arithmophobia
This phobia, which is the fear of numbers, may be the reason you hated math so much in high school.
4. Octophobia
If you have this phobia, you may want to skip the viewing of the figure skating portion of the next Winter Olympics. This is the fear of the figure 8.
5. Acerophobia
When life hands someone with Acerophobia lemons, he or she most likely throws them away. With a fear of sourness, these people live a strictly sweet life.
6. Neophobia
Do you have a grandparent that is afraid of new technology and trends? They may have this phobia, which is the fear of new things and parting from old habits.
7. Bibliophobia
Someone with Bibliophobia will never truly know if the book was better than the movie. This is the fear of books. Very sad, indeed.
8. Hylophobia
You won't find a tent or camping gear in the house of someone with Hylophobia, because this is the fear of the woods, forests, and trees.
9. Consecotaleophobia
Sushi isn't an option when you have this phobia, a fear of chopsticks. It's a good thing you can eat Chinese food with a fork.
10. Peladophobia
Many people have a fear of going bald one day, but not many have this fear. Peladophobia is the fear of bald people.
11. Clinophobia
This is one phobia I really can't relate to. While many of us lack sleep, especially in college, someone with this phobia fears going to bed.
12. Ombrophobia
No one loves a rainy day, but someone with Ombrophobia really fears the rain. You won't catch someone with this phobia singing in the rain, or anywhere near the outdoors during a storm.
13. Amaxophobia
It'll be hard to convince someone with this phobia to go on a road trip or plane ride. This is the fear of moving vehicles.
Next time you get down on yourself for having a fear of the dark, don't worry. There are other people out there with weirder fears yours. And if you have any of these fears, you're not alone.
