The cause of fear of clusters of holes aka trypophobia

Hey^^

Just wondering if any of you share this peculiar phobia with me?

Calling it a phobia may be slightly off though; seeing a triggering image doesn't as much scare you as it gives you some sort of weird psychological breakdown.

Basically, you will feel so utterly disturbed and disgusted, that you might start crying, hyperventilating, etc.. It of course depends on the severity of your condition.

This is a phobia that is relatively unknown; actually I don't think it's been registered as an official phobia, and it didn't get a name before 2005. So, naturally, there has been little to no research on the matter.

So I was just wondering if anyone here has some idea as to the the cause of this "phobia"..? (I've had it since I was a young child, so I can say for sure that it's not just some weird internet phenomena as some has suggested.)

There's been some speculation that it's related to a fear of skin diseases: I don't agree, at least my reaction doesn't seem connected to that.

But, well.. Does anyone else have this fear? Or have any idea what it might be caused by and what can be done to cure/lessen it?

..and yes, it WAS supposed to be the cause of the fear of clusters OF holes.. ^^"

How big does the cluster have to be, I mean can you go bowling?

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!

Title fixed.

This is why girls are afraid of multiple holes, yes?

Wikipedia doesn't think this is a real phobia, but it seems to be common enough, if the Internet is anything to go by.

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If this is result of that infamous 'lotus breast' photo, that thing is a fake.

edited 24th Apr '11 4:24:06 PM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

Ian Ex Machina: From drawing circles close to each other I managed to figure out that four is about the point where it becomes a problem. It depends a lot on the proximity of the holes, though. If there were three tubes of some sort laying together on a shelve, it would definitely creep me out, though?

Generally, because it is a very physical and subconscious reaction, it's hard to pinpoint what patterns are a problem and which aren't. Some may seem like they SHOULD be a problem, but I'm totally fine. Others work the opposite way.

But bowling is no problem to me, atleast not unless you had a whole lot of the balls lined up, with the holey side faced towards me, and forced me to look at it.. ^^"

(Gracefully leaving out the fact that I'm a terrible bowler..)

edited 24th Apr '11 4:32:26 PM by Arikitari

Never saw the lotus pod breast, only heard of it. I googled trypophobia once, saw the first pictures coming up, but never clicked them. It had me panting and thinking I should die for over an hour and I couldn't sleep that night. There's no way I'd be stupid enough to ever actually go search for that picture O.o

And yes, I've often heard people say they don't think it's a real phobia. Well, in a way I agree. As I said, it's not fear. I don't think it'll HURT me.

It is more like a very universal disgust. It seems surreal to me, wrong, an abomination.. And I get this very strong physical reaction.. Like hyperventilating, crying, difficulty in focusing, dizziness.. ^^" More like anxiety symptoms, I suppose..?

edited 26th Apr '11 12:53:40 PM by Arikitari

Interesting. Wish this would have been mentioned when I went over phobias in college.◊

Who in their right mind would say that? The point of phobias (and fetishes, but that's another story) is that they do not make any fucking sense. Some crossed wires in your brain that make something really, really terrifying (or sexy). Arachnids are not incredibly deadly, and things are not waiting to kill you in the dark*

. They're stupid, irrational fears.

So yes. This is a real phobia. I believe you 100%.

One of my few regrets about being born female is the inability to grow a handlebar mustache. -Landstander

^^ Agh... my eyes!

Any way after watching this bit in The Simpsons, I have always wondered if it's actually possible to dig your way out of a hole .

edited 24th Apr '11 4:44:08 PM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

Beehives *shudder*

Deathonabun: Woah, thanks, having just read the wikipedia discussion, that made me a lot less upset.!

It is true that this is not registered as an official phobia, though. I do hope it would be, because I don't suppose there will be much research into the matter before it is.

I can only speculate, but frankly, I'm not the best man for the job.. I guess I'm biaised. All I can say is that clusters of holes are just freaking WRONG. Period. ^^" And add that I can't really think in-depth on the subject without being utterly creeped out.. Much less do research because people like to illustrate their points by posting pictures.. (Which reminds me, does anyone know of a way to "blog" pictures temporarily in your browser..?)

joeyjojo: Well.. If you dig long enough I suppose you'll get to some layers that won't even require digging.. Surviving seems a bit out of the question, though^^”

Pingu: Beehives are the work of the devil. Period.

I do remember seeing a special documentary about disgust (as this sounds like disgust, rather than a phobia) and how certain things trigger it.

It mentioned something about holes, and used a picture of insect infested flesh to demonstrate. I wish I could remember more.

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!

You can technically dig your way out. You just dig sideways and at a slight elevation till you hit the surface.

Fight smart, not fair.

I like seeing clusters of holes. They look neat I think. Like something I want to run my hands over.

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

They both fascinate and disgust me.

...Man, this thread is giving me deja vu.

I should probably NOT mention that one toad that carries around its young in small holes on its back. Damn, that thing is disgusting.

edited 24th Apr '11 5:17:52 PM by Deathonabun

One of my few regrets about being born female is the inability to grow a handlebar mustache. -Landstander

Ian ex machina: I'm unsure myself, as to whether I would categorize it as fear or disgust. The two are related. In a way, you could say I fear getting disgusted..Which leads to general anxiety.. But really, the reaction itself, I don't know what to call.

I'm really too freaked out to even be able to stop and consider what I'm feeling and what connections I'm making..

Deboss: True that.

Surinam toads are cool. Toad with eggs on her back.◊ Toad without eggs chillin' on some dude's hand.◊

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

Aondeug: For a moment there I was honestly thinking "This person is SICK"..Then I realized I'm probably the one who would be considered sick..^^"

deathonabun: Really? There's been another thread?

Doesn't fascinate me on any level, though. I do feel (sorry Aondeug, seriosly),that wanting to look at at or for that matter touch aything like it, makes you a very perverted, sick person.. I don't THINK so, mind you. I only FEEL so..

edited 24th Apr '11 5:26:20 PM by Arikitari

Oh believe me I am a very perverted individual. I wouldn't consider myself sick or disturbing but there are others who do so...

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

...Surinam Toads? Just the description..

One thing I should probably never google.

Aondeug: I knew it!! xD

Surinam toads are cute things. Then again I think every animal is cute or cool in some fashion.

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

Not with out some sort of structural support you can't, otherwise you risk the roof collapsing on top of you and then you would be more fucked than a port side hooker during shore leave.

edited 24th Apr '11 5:41:24 PM by joeyjojo

hashtagsarestupid

Well, so do I, generally.. I'm not easily disgusted. I mean, I love spiders(except their eyes) and snakes (except some Snakes scales), bugs and basically anything you could mention. But.. eggs.. in it's back.. -shudder- It's not the poor frog's fault that evolution forced it to be so utterly terrifying, but still.. As long as it keeps away from my dreams..

Joeyjojo: That's a tough one. But seeing as it's way past my bedtime I will not dwell more on the otherwise fascinating subject.. And btw, it's more like "Arrgh, my brain" Than "Ahh, my eyes.." (And yes, there's a big difference between Arrgh and Ahh.. ;)

edited 24th Apr '11 5:44:37 PM by Arikitari