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Phobias are uncontrollable anxiety disorders that result in an irrational and lasting fear of certain animals, objects, situations, or activities. While for some people, heights are fun, tight spaces are not a big deal, and dogs are adorable, others find them overwhelming. 

On the less-known spectrum of phobias, trypophobia is the term used to describe the fear of patterns with holes, like those seen in honeycombs and sponges. In most cases, it also includes fruits with small seeds like strawberries or any pattern with repeated circles like those in the eyes of a tarantula.

What causes trypophobia?

According to clinical psychologist Philip Pierce, trypophobia likely stems from evolutionary fears. Repetitive patterns are seen in poisonous creatures, so the brain associates similar patterns with danger. For example, to individuals with trypophobia, the circular patterns of holes in beehives resemble the skin of a poisonous venomous snake.

Some experts theorize that the brain uses more oxygen and energy to process patterns with holes, which causes distress. In a study, the phobia was more linked to disgust rather than fear. This gives room for researchers to further look into its link with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Is there a cure for trypophobia?

Like other types of phobias, trypophobia can be crippling when a person experiences it to a severe extent. It can cause depression, stress, panic attacks and even sleep problems. On a physical level, it can also cause a person to experience chills, dry mouth and increased heart rate, among other things.

While there is no cure for trypophobia, some experts recommend treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, where a patient and a psychotherapist also talk about irrational fear and then gradually increase exposure to the fear to slowly alter a patient's behavior.