Column Chronicles: Rare phobias update

Rare phobias update

Frank Cotolo
April 23, 2026

Psychologists are always on the lookout for new phobias in order to validate them and have psychiatrists work to understand their role in a person's emotional burdens. Here is a list of recent phobias found by the International Phobia Institute (IPI).

Caress-a-phobia
A specific condition that allows people to be touched by other people until being embraced. Studies show it can become intense if the hugger is humming a song written by George Gershwin.

Veggie-a-phobia
This is the irrational fear of an uncooked green vegetable. Especially if it is turning another colour usually not associated with a green vegetable.

Auto-passenger-phobia
Some people tend to shake with fear if they are passengers sitting next to drivers wearing a Men's Dorfman-Pacific Orleans Gambler Fedora.

Kneeling-a-phobia
This fear of kneeling usually erupts when a person is in a pew at a church service. It has been known to develop into severe sweat while someone is making eye contact during a sermon.

Crust-a-phobia
Fear of eating a sandwich with white bread with the crust intact.

Hippo-a-phobia
The fear of sitting in comfort on a couch in one's home and being struck by a wild rhino after it invades the room.

Invisible-a-phobia
The fear of anything and everything a person cannot see.

FDR-a-phobia
The fear of fear itself.

Rap-a-phobia
The fear of listening to rap music while the rapper is chewing on an article of clothing.

Marvel-a-phobia
The fear of watching one's favourite actor (dead or alive) play The Hulk.

Frog-a-phobia
Studies show this condition of becoming petrified by a live frog is only present in veteran insurance sales persons after the policy is confirmed.

RIP-a-phobia
This fear is mostly found in random people whose parents died during a funeral service but specifically when the service takes place at the burial site and there is a choir of children singing as the casket is lowered into the ground.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.