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. 2024 Feb 16;10(2):e48.
doi: 10.1192/bjo.2023.621.

Is trypophobia real?

Geoff G Cole  1
Affiliations

Is trypophobia real?

Geoff G Cole. BJPsych Open. .

Abstract

Approximately 10-18% of the adult population experience some form of anxiety when viewing clusters of small holes. 'Trypophobia' has been the subject of much discussion within the peer-reviewed literature, news outlets, health-related websites and social media. However, there is some scepticism surrounding the phenomenon. It is often stated that the condition is not recognised by the American Psychiatric Association, and not listed as a phobia in the DSM-5. It has also been claimed that trypophobia is no more than a particularly successful internet meme. In this editorial, I argue that such criticisms are misplaced. There is, for instance, no list of phobias in the DSM-5; only criteria that determine phobia classification. Using these criteria, as well as personal testimonials, trypophobia is clearly a phobia. Furthermore, the meme hypothesis cannot account for the fact that the phenomenon existed long before the internet.

Keywords: Anxiety or fear-related disorders; aetiology; cognitive neuroscience; phobias; trypophobia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Although the phenomenon was previously known, trypophobia was first described in the peer-reviewed literature by the author.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Image of a lotus seed pod.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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