Why Trypophobia Is Not Real and How to Cure It

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Do you feel disgust, discomfort, or fear when you see clusters of small holes, or little dotted bits sticking out of seemingly innocuous objects? Then you might be among those living with trypophobia. But what could be the cause of this phobia, and how do psychologists treat it? Let’s get into it!

Sources:

[What is Trypophobia]

[Possible Causes]

[Phobia Treatment]

[Other Sources]

[Brew]

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[explicitdestro]

i wasn't scared of clusters of holes until i actually saw them on the human body...filled with stones, worms and other human horrors and what not...that was just..well...horrific.

[GrayAvian]

The only thing I fear, is that frog where it's babies come out of its back. That freaks me out

[dog-eznu]

I always thought trypophobia was more likely to be caused by our innate fear of small insects and bugs, like bees or wasps, especially when they fly around. Most natural structures with lots of holes tend to be nests, and trigger a fight or flight response to the threat of a swarm of creatures attacking you.

[MichaelNealeYT]

"Your feelings are valid even if they haven't been written in some book yet."

I like this.

[sweetdreamz]

I have trypophobia but it doesn’t make me scared it just makes me feel sick if I look at it too long.

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Trypophobia isn't a real phobia according to the American Psychiatric Association, but who are they to tell you what your brain is afraid of and isn't?

[dansmith]

The only holes I'm repulsed of are clustered holes in organic things. Makes me think of parasites and cavities. Holes where bugs can crawl into and make their home 😨

Makes me feel genuinely Ill.

Utter filth.

[tunkiyo]

I actually think the reason it is a fear comes from ancient times when we were more riddled with parasites. There are some bugs in Texas that are long thin and dig quickly into your skin. I think the holes trigger for us to dig out those insects.

[krisbright]

The Lotus seeds are the ones that make me feel very uncomfortable. Clusters of anything else don't really bother me. However the holes on people's hands, tongues, face, creep me out.

[Rose_]

It doesn't make me scared but it makes my body itch and I get that strong urge to destroy it!

[KubickQ]

"I watch Brew for the facts""
_"I watch Brew for the horror stuff"_
*"I watch Brew for the humor"*
*_"I WATCH BREW FOR THE INTRO SONG"_*

[thedragonofcanada]

"CBT is an action based therapy ..."
Here I was thinking it meant c-

[tamashi]

Chill buys things, is the only definition of CBT I'll accept from now on

[muggins]

I think I've finally worked it out, that toad with the baby toad holes in its back is one of the only examples that creeps me out and now I realise it's because Im imagining having small creatures moving around in holes in my skin, and also because of being wary of creatures suddenly coming out of holes and not knowing what they're up to

[SonicXRage]

Brew: Pomegranates!
Me: That's beautiful! I love pomegranate seeds! These aren't scary. Maybe I'm not that trypophobic.
Brew: What about this frog?
Me: *stops breathing*

[pizzathefox]

I'm only scared of the ones where it's on skin, or....on that frog. I don't get sick, or scared, but I do get really uncomfortable, and itchy. Other than that, I can't stop looking at it for some reason. For me, the only Trypophobia that gets me is clusters of holes that go deep inside, and ooses, or has some kind of organic substance, or thing inside. Like blood, or those baby frogs. Stuff like rocks, strawberries, honey combs, and material patterns don't bother me in the slightest.

[charliemayfilms]

Just remember there’s a difference between disliking something and having a phobia of it

[greatnessawaits]

I'm not scared of these dots
What I'm scared of is when those dots are showing on human skin

[Jahtso]

When I was a pre-teen I was horrified and made nauseous by the more softcore tropophobic images out there. Now as an above 18 year old person, I don't take much issue with the images.