Does trypophobia really exist?

Trypophobia is a term used to describe an intense fear or aversion to patterns with small holes or bulges. People with trypophobia may experience a strong negative reaction when seeing structures such as honeycombs, lotus seed pods, strawberries, bubbles in a pancake, and even artificial structures with similar patterns.

The reaction to trypophobia can range from mild disgust to severe anxiety. Symptoms can include feelings of disgust, itching, goosebumps, nausea, anxiety, and in extreme cases, panic attacks. The exact cause of trypophobia is not fully understood. Some researchers suggest it may have an evolutionary basis, with these patterns unconsciously associated with dangerous animals or diseases. Others think it may be related to visual discomfort caused by the specific characteristics of these patterns.

There is no consensus on how common trypophobia is, but a 2024 study suggests it is relatively common as high as 1 in 10. Many have some degree of aversion to these patterns, but not everyone develops a phobia. Trypophobia is not officially recognized as a phobia in diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition).

For those who suffer severely from trypophobia, therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be helpf

Source: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17470218241232665

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2025-01-02 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025