Skip to main content

Haphephobia

An extremely rare severe fear of touching and/or being touched. It is not linked to social anxiety or phobias. Sometimes it is only the fear of touching and/or being touched by the opposite sex, sometimes it is only the same sex, and sometimes both. The reactions vary depending on how much trust the person with haphephobia has with the one he/she is touching/being touch by.
Ex. 1
Kevin: "Did you see Josh completely freak out when his girlfriend kissed him? Wtf was that about? Freak."
Dave: "Shut up. He has haphephobia. He can't help it."
Ex. 2
Some people don't like being touched, but that isn't haphephobia. Haphephobia is when people touch you and your reaction is to freeze up. Your heart beats faster and you near a panic attack. Sometimes the area touched will feel as if it's been burnt and/or start to itch. Sometimes you'll just begin to sweat, runaway, or cry. It's a serious disorder and should be taken seriously. If someone tell you not to touch them, do NOT touch them.
Haphephobia by Jamie-Q-All-Over November 23, 2013
Haphephobia mug front
Get the Haphephobia mug.
See more merch

hoplophobia 

n. Irrational, morbid fear of guns (coined by Col. Jeff Cooper, from the Greek "hoplites," weapon). May cause sweating, faintness, discomfort, rapid pulse, nausea, sleeplessness, more, at mere thought of guns. Hoplophobes are common and should never be involved in setting gun policies. Point out hoplophobic behavior when noticed, it is dangerous, sufferers deserve pity, and should seek treatment. When confronted, hoplophobes typically go into denial, a common characteristic of the affliction. Often helped by training, or by coaching at a range, a process known to psychiatry as "desensitization," often useful in treating many phobias. Also: Hoplophobe, hoplophobic.
The person had hoplophobia and passed out at the mere sight of a gun.
hoplophobia by fasfan September 26, 2006

hoplophobia 

(n.) an irrational fear of weapons
Sarah Brady, the Violence Policy Center, Americans for Gun Safety, and many others, have created a climate of hoplophobia in America.
hoplophobia by Eric Fisher May 21, 2003

Hitlaphobia 

The fear of being killed by men with mustaches
I would go to the nightclub but the bouncer gives me hitlaphobia
Hitlaphobia by Totally not a nazi October 31, 2017

hallophobia 

The fear of walking in hallways alone.
A 5 year old usually has hallophobia.
hallophobia by Mr. DFTBA February 3, 2014

Hillaphobia 

Oh, crap now I have Hillaphobia. Don't let her be president.
Hillaphobia by Hillaphobia November 29, 2016

Haphephobia

A relatively rare (and very real) phobia characterized by an irrational fear of physical contact. People with haphephobia tend to recoil in fear when someone touches them, especially without consent. It doesn't seem horrible, but it's just like all phobias: You don't know how serious it is unless you have one.

There are two major differences that can be used to distinguish between haphephobia and someone who is just very jumpy:

1. Jumping out of your skin because a stranger randomly touched you is normal. Nearly having a heart attack because a close friend or family member accidentally brushed against you is NOT normal.

2. Remember that it's IRRATIONAL. Being receptive to touch because you suffer from allodynia or some other form of skin sensitivity is perfectly normal. But if it happens for seemingly no reason and you know it; THAT is not normal.
"Hey guys. This is my little brother, Steven."

"Aww, he's so cute!"

"Wait -- don't touch him, he-"

"AAAAHHH!"

"...He has haphephobia."
Haphephobia by Ubeenbamboozledson December 23, 2021