Are you scared of something?
I am.
In fact, most people are!
Fear is a natural human response to uncertainty and potential danger, which is why we all fear a wide variety of things that most of us consider to be scary.
But there are numerous other fears that we deem irrational, and there are quite a few people who are scared of things the rest of us might laugh at.
Here are 16 unnatural fears most people have, some of which you might understand and others that you might be surprised by!
#1. The Ocean
The ocean is something I don’t think about much given that I don’t spend a lot of time in it.
But when I see various posts in the thalassophobia subreddit, I can understand why so many people have some fear of it.
A lot of the ocean remains unexplored, and some of the things that can be found down there are certainly things we wouldn’t want to encounter on the surface.
A fear of the ocean in some ways is unnatural and, at other points, natural. But either way, it’s quite a common fear that impacts a lot of people.
#2. Snakes
The fear of snakes, like a lot of fears on this list, exists on a spectrum of rational to irrational.
If I hear a rattlesnake nearby or see a black mamba rear up to strike, I would naturally be afraid.
Knowing that something is poisonous and likely fatal would invoke fear in anyone.
But many people are afraid of snakes in general, including ones that are largely harmless and wouldn’t be able to do much damage if they did attack.
Snakes seem to be a common fear, despite the fact that many of them don’t pose a mortal or a large physical danger to those they come across.
#3. Spiders
Spiders are another common fear alongside snakes.
It seems as though spiders tend to be less threatening to some than snakes.
If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve inevitably come across those cute spider posts featuring tiny dancing spiders.
But there are still a lot of people who will shriek when they encounter a spider, refusing to get close to them or touch them.
#4. Closing Your Eyes in the Shower
Have you ever taken a shower, only to feel as though there’s a presence in the room with you?
The whole trope of a killer or a ghost watching someone during their most vulnerable and intimate moments has been done to death, and it’s perhaps why closing one’s eyes in the shower appears to be a common fear.
Not being able to see when we’re alone and at our weakest might be how dogs feel if they’re unable to go to the bathroom without looking at their owners.
#5. Needles
A fear of needles is something I have, although I might say that’s inaccurate that most people are afraid of needles themselves.
They’re afraid of what comes with needles as well as the uncomfortable, painful, and grotesque sights and sensations that they’re accompanied by.
Some people merely have an aversion and can tolerate being around them despite not liking it while others may have full-blown panic attacks at the thought of being poked by a needle.
#6. Heights
A fear of heights is both natural and unnatural, depending on the situation.
Some people exhibit no fear of heights, free climbing up massive natural structures to get to the top.
Many people are scared of heights when a fall could end them.
For example, some people who are afraid of heights might not like going on roller coasters or other amusement park rides with massive drops.
They may even avoid large mountains and other natural features where looking down scares them.
Some people, like me, don’t like heights at all. I hate climbing up ladders and being anywhere where I’m not firmly planted on the ground.
Does that prevent me from having a good time? No.
But I’m still scared!
#7. Flying
The rash of crashes in the United States is sure not doing anything to quell the fears of the many people who are afraid of flying.
But despite that, flying is actually a relatively safe activity, which is why a fear of flying is considered unnatural.
Despite the myriad of things that could go wrong, they don’t tend to, making it the best mode of transportation if you don’t want to spend days on a train or in a car (if you can get to your destination by other methods at all).
#8. The Dark
Being afraid of the dark is something that we associate with children.
But I think even adults are afraid of the dark to some degree.
The dark represents the unknown.
If we were slightly less evolved, we would need to fear the dark to make sure we’re not vulnerable to predators.
It’s a fear that’s considered unnatural through the lens of society, but I think that it’s quite logical when you break it down.
#9. Germs and Dirt
Plenty of people fear germs and dirt.
During times of widespread illness, a fear of germs and dirt might be completely natural if not more widespread than the illness itself.
But there are people whom we might dub germaphobes (whether there’s an underlying disorder like OCD or not), who are deathly afraid of germs and dirt and sanitize at every possible moment.
I can’t imagine what that must be like.
#10. Public Speaking (or Social Situations in Their Entirety)
Those who study fears tend to break fears up into different categories, with social phobias taking up their own category.
However, I don’t think that it negates the fact that social anxiety is an unnatural fear.
Many people are afraid to engage with new people, whether it breaks down to a broad fear or it’s something more hyper focused, like the fear of public speaking.
Social fears are common in a world where socialization is a must but sometimes doesn’t result in the best outcomes.
#11. Small Spaces
Almost everyone is familiar with claustrophobia. You might even think, that’s a natural fear, right?
Again, it depends on the situation.
Whereas you and I might be able to ride in an elevator, having to be stuck in an enclosed space surrounded by others is hardly a fun time for a claustrophobic person.
We might be afraid of small spaces that we could be stuck in, but that might be considered far more natural to the average person.
#12. Dogs
A fear of dogs is something that tends to develop in those who have had bad run-ins with dogs before.
If you’ve ever been bitten by a dog, chances are you’re going to be scared of any dog because you don’t know if they’re an active threat.
It might be considered natural to you, while dog lovers or those who have never had such an experience see it as completely illogical.
No matter where you are, there are plenty of people afraid of dogs out there.
Make sure they’re comfortable and give them the space they need!
#13. Thunder and Lightning
Thunder and lightning are something that we get accustomed to pretty quickly, especially when we live in regions known for their storms.
But not everyone gets accustomed to thunder and lightning.
Many people are still afraid of it, which can be difficult when a storm hits and they’re left to try to find ways to cope with the chaos going on around them.
#14. Circles and Holes
Have you ever heard of trypophobia? It’s a fear of small clusters of holes that has been trending on social media for a while now.
Whether it’s the phenomenon of social media influencing human behavior or there is a genuinely large population of people with this phobia, it’s surprisingly common.
There’s also no telling what people are afraid of when it comes to these clusters.
One might theorize that it could do with something hiding in the holes, but that doesn’t seem to be true.
People with trypophobia can be afraid of anything ranging from the holes in strawberries to those that form in pancakes while you’re cooking them.
#15. Demons
It’s important to preface this by saying that people’s religious beliefs will influence how they perceive the world around them.
To say that someone’s religious beliefs are unnatural is critical and somewhat dismissive. This addition is not meant to do that at all.
Rather, the fear of demons could be considered unnatural by some as it’s not a phenomenon that can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.
But it is very common given that many people have beliefs featuring demons or malevolent spirits, who actively try to harm or negatively influence human beings.
Many of us are spooked by things that could go bump in the night, including things we believe to be real.
#16. Dentists
The dentist is a professional that most of us don’t like going to.
Some trips are pleasant, but others can be painful, financially and physically.
Fear of the dentist is an unnatural but very common fear that children and adults alike share.
They’re essential to keep our oral health in check, but the fear could sway some from booking visits at all.
A fear is real when it can make you avoid doing something despite your better judgment.
Jon Dulin is the passionate leader of Unfinished Success, a personal development website that inspires people to take control of their own lives and reach their full potential. His commitment to helping others achieve greatness shines through in everything he does. He’s an unstoppable force with lots of wisdom, creativity, and enthusiasm – all focused on helping others build a better future. Jon enjoys writing articles about productivity, goal setting, self-development, and mindset. He also uses quotes and affirmations to help motivate and inspire himself. You can learn more about him on his About page.