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Why am I afraid of tiny holes?

Author

John Campbell

Updated on March 01, 2026

Why am I afraid of tiny holes?

Evolutionary Causes According to one of the most popular theories, trypophobia is an evolutionary response to things that are associated with disease or danger. 7 Diseased skin, parasites, and other infectious conditions, for example, may be characterized by such holes or bumps.

Is trypophobia skin real?

Is Trypophobia Skin Real?: Trypophobia, a relatively new term, is the fear of clustered holes, bumps, or nodules. However, trypophobia skin is not a real skin disease, nor is trypophobia a diagnosable mental disorder.

Can trypophobia be cured?

Because trypophobia isn’t a true disorder, there’s no set treatment for it. Some studies show that an antidepressant like sertraline (Zoloft) plus a type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are helpful. CBT tries to change the negative ideas that cause fear or stress.

Is trypophobia a mental disorder?

Trypophobia is an intense and disproportionate fear towards repetitive or clustered patterns of holes, bumps, or protrusions, such as might be seen in a honeycomb or lotus seed pod. Trypophobia is not classified as a mental disorder.

Why are holes so disgusting?

There is limited research into trypophobia, but one study might help explain why that meme (debunked by Snopes) spread so far and wide – it found that trypophobia is more powerful when holes are shown on skin than on non-animal objects like rocks. The disgust is greater when holes are superimposed on faces.

How does a person get trypophobia?

Symptoms are reportedly triggered when a person sees an object with small clusters of holes or shapes that resemble holes. When seeing a cluster of holes, people with trypophobia react with disgust or fear.

Is trypophobia a mental illness?

How can I get rid of trypophobia?

Trypophobia Treatment Because trypophobia isn’t a true disorder, there’s no set treatment for it. Some studies show that an antidepressant like sertraline (Zoloft) plus a type of talk therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are helpful. CBT tries to change the negative ideas that cause fear or stress.