These are Australia’s most-searched phobias

Words by Sarah Mitchell for Body+Soul

We all have at least one thing that freaks us out.

Whether it’s the more common like heights, spiders, small spaces, or the more niche beards, geese or even cheese, fears can play a big role in our lives.

According to Psychology Today, at least 60 per cent of adults admit to having at least one unreasonable fear.

A team from Bayside Psychotherapy analysed Google search trends and their own de-identified clinical insights to determine Australia’s most commonly searched phobias.

So, which fears or aversions are we most curious or concerned about?

The most searched phobias in Australia

#10. Arachnophobia

If there’s one thing Australia has a lot of, it’s spiders.

Despite our level of exposure, the fear of the eight-legged bugs affects five per cent of the population.

Some studies suggest women are particularly affected by the phobia, with 90 per cent of arachnophobes reportedly being female.

#9. Thalassophobia

The ocean is indescribably large, deep, and we don’t even know all of the things that live deep in the sea.

So, even though it’s a big part of many Aussies’ lives, the thought of the sea is enough to send shivers down some people’s spines.

One of the more common phobias, the fear of the ocean was the ninth most searched in the country.

#8. Emetophobia

None of us like being sick, but some hate it more than others.

The fear of vomiting is the eighth most searched phobia among Australians, with a search volume of 9900.

#7. Claustrophobia

If the thought of being locked in a phone booth, stuck in a train, or stuck in a lift makes you stressed, you may have a touch of claustrophobia.

Being locked in a confined space is enough to induce panic for five to ten per cent of people, according to the Australian Psychological Society.

#6. Xenophobia

A frequent topic of conversation given the current state of the world, the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners had a search volume of 14,800.

#5. Phasmophobia

Very few of us love the idea of a ghost haunting our home or office.

We fear what we don’t understand, so it’s no surprise that the fear of ghosts or the supernatural is the fifth most researched phobia in Australia, with 18,100 searches.

#4. Hypochondria

One of the fears we’re more familiar with, hypochondria affects one in 20 Australians, according to a 2018 study.

When we’re shown a new illness or injury every time we open social media or read the news, it’s easy to understand why many people would experience hypochondria.

People who have experienced a trauma, like a previous illness, are five times more likely to develop the condition.

#3. Trypophobia

One of the most commonly searched phobias in all Australian states except for Tasmania, the fear of holes is piquing the interest of many of us.

It may sound like a more unique phobia to have, but Science Focus reported that one in five people have severe trypophobia, though it’s largely underresearched.

Kendall Jenner suffers from the phobia, previously writing on her website, “things that could set me off are pancakes, honeycomb, or lotus heads (the worst!). It sounds ridiculous, but so many people actually have it!”

#2. Trypanophobia

Needles and injections aren’t linked to very many particularly fun experiences, so it makes sense that many people would have an aversion to them.

According to Cleveland Clinic, about one in six people have some level of trypanophobia, which is a phobia of needles or injections.

#1. Agoraphobia

Especially in the years following pandemic-era lockdowns, many of us discovered a newfound level of discomfort in crowds.

Being in the middle of a big group of people can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to attend larger-scale events.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the fear of open spaces or crowds has a prevalence of 1.3 per cent, affecting more women than men.

Whether interested to learn about the phobia, or researching avenues to help calm their own fears, people are interested to learn about agoraphobia, with the term garnering 21,100 searches.

Other commonly searched fears

The team from Bayside Psychotherapy noted some other particularly niche phobias they found Australians were researching, including:

Nomophobia

Fear of being without a mobile phone

Caligynephobia

Fear of beautiful women

Turophobia

Fear of cheese