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Trypophobia is an intense fear or aversion to repetitive patterns of closely packed holes or bumps. Some people refer to it as the “fear of holes” or “fear of circles.” The term comes from the Greek word trypo, which means “hole.”
People who suffer from trypophobia may experience anxiety when looking at common objects such as sponges, seed-filled fruits, or honeycombs.
Although trypophobia is not currently listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), some individuals may meet the criteria for a “specific phobia,” which involves a “marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation.”
Signs and Symptoms of Trypophobia
Research into this condition is still limited.
One early study, based on accounts from 200 members of a Facebook support group, categorized the symptoms into three main types:
Cognitive Reactions
Feelings of disgust or revulsion
Discomfort or unease
Feeling “creeped out” or disturbed
Anxiety, dread, or panic
Irrational thoughts or feeling like you’re “losing your mind”
An urge to remove or destroy the holes
Skin-Related Reactions
Itchiness
Goosebumps
Sensation of crawling skin
Chills
Physiological Reactions
Trembling or chills
Difficulty breathing
Nausea or vomiting
Urge to scream or cry
Heart palpitations, sweating, or stomach aches
While it is not officially recognized as a clinical diagnosis, trypophobia can cause genuine distress for those affected by it.
