Taphophobia: The Fear Of Being Buried Alive And Other Common Phobias

The basis of the horror genre of film is the ability to tap into one of humanity's most basic instincts: fear. While the situations in horror movies aim to spark temporary anxiety and unease, some people experience consistent, pervasive, and extreme anxieties in relation to certain situations throughout their daily lives. In many cases, an excessive and debilitating fear of a certain object, situation, or living thing, however rational or irrational, can be considered a specific phobia. In this article, we’ll explore five common phobias—including taphophobia, or the fear of being alive—and treatment options for this type of anxiety disorder.

What is a phobia?

A specific phobia, as defined by the John Hopkins University of Medicine, is “an uncontrollable, irrational, and lasting fear of a certain object, situation, or activity,” which can be so overwhelming that “a person may go to great lengths to avoid the source of this fear.” Phobias can trigger a range of symptoms, from intense fear to full-blown panic attacks, even at a time when no immediate danger is present.

Five common phobias

The following are five common phobias that a person could experience.

The fear of being buried alive (taphophobia)

Taphophobia is defined as the fear of being buried alive. This fear was both common and fairly rational in earlier periods of human history, when misidentifying death and moving forward with inadvertent premature burial was likelier to happen due to more limited medical knowledge and technology. Art and literature from these periods reflect the public preoccupation with this fear, such as Edgar Allen Poe’s 1844 story, The Premature Burial.

While clinical taphophobia is thought to be extremely rare today, it may have affected many people—including famous figures—throughout history. For example, some of the last words of George Washington, the first president of the United States, were a request to wait three days before burying his body to ensure that he was dead. Throughout his life, world-famous Danish author Hans Christian Anderson was also reported to have feared that he would accidentally be presumed dead and buried alive.

The fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia)

While it’s highly unlikely to find yourself in a situation where you may be accidentally buried alive in current times, claustrophobia is a related fear that may present itself more often. For example, people with claustrophobia may have trouble riding in elevators, going through tunnels, getting on airplanes, or entering small spaces such as attics or closets. Claustrophobia is thought to impact approximately 12.5% of the adult population.

The fear of flying (pteromerhanophobia)

While being afraid of flying can be a result of claustrophobia, pteromerhanophobia is defined as a separate fear, which stems from fearing the possibility of a plane crash or air disaster. Though statistically, plane crashes are very rare, pteromerhanophobia can still be difficult for some to overcome, which could lead to limitations on a person’s traveling capabilities. 

The fear of needles (trypanophobia)

Being stuck with a needle is not typically considered pleasant, but trypanophobia is classified as an excessive aversion to needles. This particular fear can be a highly important one to overcome, as many life-saving medications and vaccines must be delivered this way. 

The fear of open spaces (agoraphobia)

Agoraphobia is commonly defined as a fear of open spaces, but the broader, clinical definition is “a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong.” Unlike other more avoidable phobias, untreated agoraphobia can lead to serious disruptions in daily functioning and quality of life, as people with this illness may be unable to leave their home. 

Facing fears and treating phobias

Different phobias may manifest in different ways and present different challenges, so there’s no one way to overcome this type of clinical condition. That said, the most common treatments for phobias include a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. Meeting with a doctor or mental health professional for evaluation and treatment advice is usually the recommended first step in finding the right support for your specific symptoms.

If your phobia causes symptoms that make it difficult to leave the house, it may be difficult to receive traditional in-person mental health treatment. In cases like these, online therapy can be a helpful alternative. Research suggests that online therapy may be a promising treatment for specific phobias.