Social and performance phobias
Fears involving observation, evaluation, interaction, or performance.
Anuptaphobia
Anuptaphobia is the fear of being single. It's not a diagnosis, but research shows how this fear leads people to settle. Learn the signs and how to ease it.
Rare or disputed termEphebiphobia
Ephebiphobia means fear of teenagers. It began as a term for how adults judge youth, not a diagnosis. Learn where it comes from and what helps if teens scare you.
Common informal termGelotophobia
Gelotophobia is the fear of being laughed at, where even friendly laughter can feel like ridicule. Learn the signs, the research, and what helps.
Common informal termGlossophobia
Dreading a presentation, meeting, or wedding speech? Understand public-speaking fear, its link with social anxiety, and how to ask for useful support.
Common informal termScopophobia
Scopophobia is a fear of being stared at or watched. Learn how it links to social anxiety and eye contact, why it can feel like everyone's looking, and what helps.
Rare or disputed termVenustraphobia
Venustraphobia means fear of beautiful women. Learn where the rare word came from, why attraction can feel like panic, and when it points to social anxiety.