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Original poster

Koutoumouphobia. Does anyone else have it?

189 replies

TheyRepulseMe · 16/10/2025 13:01

Phobia of buttons.

I can barely type the word.

It's not that I'm scared of them. They just physically repulse me. Make me feel sick.

I hate them I hate them.

OP posts:
DiscoBob · 16/10/2025 13:26

BauhausOfEliott · 16/10/2025 13:18

It’s actually not as unusual as you’d think! I’ve met two people who have this same phobia and when I mentioned this to a friend, she said her colleague has it too.

I would also love to know how this becomes a phobia and I can only imagine that it must stem from babyhood when babies are being held by people with buttoned clothing or something - some residual subconscious thing?!

Show quote history

Fascinating! Yeah, it's like what could a b word possibly do to harm someone? Other than choking. Or there is that creepy cartoon with people who have button eyes...that is really disconcerting actually!

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 16/10/2025 13:26

I think it's spelt 'Koumpounophobia'. No 'T'. Also, you notice how most phobias come from Greek? I've never heard of an irrational fear of buttons before. I guess chocolate buttons are being avoided, then 😂

ResusciAnnie · 16/10/2025 13:25

Koutoumphobia seems to a one-word googlewhack unless my google is broken 😂 maybe you’re the only one OP.

Sidenote why do phobias always have such long names. Just call it button phobia??

Eyesopenwideawake · 16/10/2025 13:25

Not something you were born with (being dropped and loud noises are) so it was developed at some stage during your life. Hence it's possible to reverse it, if it's affecting your life too badly.

sweetpickle2 · 16/10/2025 13:23

When I was a teen I was part of a youth theatre group where the woman who did the costumes had this phobia. Everything had to have zips.

awakeandasleep · 16/10/2025 13:22

Also loose ring pulls from cans!

awakeandasleep · 16/10/2025 13:21

Yes! Also coins but small light ones...any small round light objects. My DD decided to make a headband full if buttons! Ah it's awful atm buttons everywhere. I will throw buttons away if I find them.

CoffeeCup14 · 16/10/2025 13:19

Yes.

I hate them. I hate seeing them. I hate the word and I hate pictures of them. I've been like it since I was a child. No idea why and it's quite hard to answer questions about it without thinking about it.

I just buy clothes without them generally. I can just about tolerate them on shirts occasionally but nothing else.

It feels like a really embarrassing phobia to have, because it's so stupid.

JFROL · 16/10/2025 13:19

I have this. I hate them. I don't know if it can be classed as a phobia because I have clothes with them on and am able to just get on with it if I am helping my kids get dressed etc, but I particularly hate translucent ones. I especially dislike seeing them if I am eating. I don't really like any of the paraphernalia you might find in a haberdashery shop and I hate sewing kits (and even the words associated with these things - stitches, sewing, buttons etc). It is weird and I don't know where it comes from.

BauhausOfEliott · 16/10/2025 13:18

DiscoBob · 16/10/2025 13:11

That is unusual. Is it the shape, did you choke on one as a kid? They seem so innocuous I'm trying to work out what it is about them that's so repulsive.

How does it affect your day to day life?

It’s actually not as unusual as you’d think! I’ve met two people who have this same phobia and when I mentioned this to a friend, she said her colleague has it too.

I would also love to know how this becomes a phobia and I can only imagine that it must stem from babyhood when babies are being held by people with buttoned clothing or something - some residual subconscious thing?!

IHateEmptyPockets · 16/10/2025 13:13

Haemagoblin · 16/10/2025 13:05

Wow that's a funny one! Well not for you I suppose. How much of an issue is it for you? As in is it ok if you don't have to use them yourself, or does just the sight of them set you off? How do poppers sit with you? Are there any types that are OK (like the wooden peg things on duffle coats) or is anything even like a you-know-what a hard no?

Have you always had it or has it come on you later in life? And if always, how did you manage with school uniform etc?

Sorry for all the questions i'm just fascinated.

Yes, I have many of the same questions (and that might be the best username ever btw)

DiscoBob · 16/10/2025 13:11

That is unusual. Is it the shape, did you choke on one as a kid? They seem so innocuous I'm trying to work out what it is about them that's so repulsive.

How does it affect your day to day life?

LarryIsMyRomanEmpire · 16/10/2025 13:08

I know someone who has that phobia too, she particularly hates big buttons.

Haemagoblin · 16/10/2025 13:05

Wow that's a funny one! Well not for you I suppose. How much of an issue is it for you? As in is it ok if you don't have to use them yourself, or does just the sight of them set you off? How do poppers sit with you? Are there any types that are OK (like the wooden peg things on duffle coats) or is anything even like a you-know-what a hard no?

Have you always had it or has it come on you later in life? And if always, how did you manage with school uniform etc?

Sorry for all the questions i'm just fascinated.