User:Mr. Ibrahem/Trypophobia

Trypophobia is an aversion to the sight of clusters or patterns of small holes or bumps. Symptoms may include disgust, fear, or anxiety. There may also be associated nausea or itchiness.

Example of triggers include honeycomb, lotus seed pods, and bubbles on top of a cup of coffee. While not officially recognized as a separate mental disorder as if 2018, it may be diagnosed as a specific phobia if excessive fear and distress occur. It is hypothesized that it is an evolutionary defense against external parasites or poisonous animals that has become excessive. Exposure therapy is a possible treatment.

Some degree of symptoms when viewing an object like a lotus seed pod occurs in about 16% of people, with women more commonly affected than men. The term trypophobia was coined by a participant in an online forum in 2005, from the Greek "trypo" meaning "drilling holes" and "phobos" meaning "fear". It become a popular topic on social media in the 2000s. Formal study began around 2010 by psychologists Geoff Cole and Arnold Wilkins.