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Original poster

Does anyone else have this phobia...?

66 replies

pinky7987 · 03/05/2023 20:56

I'll be the first to admit I'm an absolute weirdo, but ever since I can remember, I've had a phobia of buttons. As in buttons that you find on clothes. Even typing the word creeps me out! I have no idea why this is or how to get over it. There is actually a name for this phobia but can't remember it.

Does anyone else have this or any other weird phobias?

OP posts:
Whiskyski · 03/05/2023 20:58

My dad has a phobia of buttons

Stressyfab · 03/05/2023 21:00

Not buttons but I do have an odd one that I can’t find a name for?
I hate hate hate planes flying overhead. Hate the noise, especially low flying.
Weirdly enough I’m fine actually flying but you best believe making my way from the parking to the airport will panic me!

thenightsky · 03/05/2023 21:01

DS had a phobia of buttons. Was a nightmare when he moved to secondary school and had to wear a proper shirt with a collar and buttons.

Starred7 · 03/05/2023 21:01

Not me but family member does

MandyMotherOfBrian · 03/05/2023 21:03

It’s called koumpounophobia apparently

thistimelastweek · 03/05/2023 21:06

It is called koumpounophobia.

I have it. On a bad day I can't even say the word. The b word that is.

I find wild ones particularly abhorrent. These are the ones that have become detached from their garment.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 03/05/2023 21:06

Mushrooms, honestly they give me the hebiejebies. I really don’t like them on my plate and will look away until my husband and removed the offending things!

hoophoophooray · 03/05/2023 21:07

Me. Particularly plastic ones in lines. Like on a shirt. I'm 45 and in the last 30 years I've owned one shirt and only wore it 3 times. It made my skin crawl. Luckily I went to a school without a uniform

Original poster
pinky7987 · 03/05/2023 21:09

thistimelastweek · 03/05/2023 21:06

It is called koumpounophobia.

I have it. On a bad day I can't even say the word. The b word that is.

I find wild ones particularly abhorrent. These are the ones that have become detached from their garment.

I feel exactly the same about the 'wild' ones!

OP posts:
ZeroFucksGivenToday · 03/05/2023 21:09

Stickers. Just hate them. All of them. Price stickers, on cards, the ones on fruit make my skin crawl, sticker books are hell on earth.
my DD age 10 finds it hilarious, but besides giving me an eye roll she now does refuse any offers of them. 😬

poppym12 · 03/05/2023 21:10

My son, ever since he was a toddler and I've never found out why.

School shirts were a challenge but he wore them and kept his jumper on at all times so that he couldn't see them.

He's grown up now and still doesn't wear anything with buttons on.

HoldingTheDoor · 03/05/2023 21:11

What exactly is it about buttons that repulses people?

TinaYouFatLard · 03/05/2023 21:11

My DS (14) has a version of this. He started to hate them when he was tiny and refused clothes with buttons. I used to cut them off thinking it was just a silly phase. He was horrified one night when his duvet turned itself around so the button end was at the top. As he got older he got embarrassed and would reluctantly wear his school shirt but would never, ever take his jumper off, even on a boiling day.

Now he says he’s not scared of them but refuses to wear anything like polo shirts or proper shirts or trousers. I think it’s revulsion more than fear.

thistimelastweek · 03/05/2023 21:17

Re posts above, for me it is most certainly revulsion not fear.
I actually remember the cause of my revulsion; it stems from a particular event in childhood. However I can't share. Not because it's reprehensible but because it revolts me to describe.

Nereides · 03/05/2023 21:19

Steve Jobs had a phobia of buttons. That’s why Apple developed all of its amazing products with no (or very few) buttons. If you watch a video of him speaking you’ll notice there were never any buttons on any of his clothes.

Pip1402 · 03/05/2023 21:22

Do you never wear anything with buttons on? Not even jeans? Can you explain what it is about them that's scary? I have a different phobia but it's something most people dislike even if they aren't scared of it. I'm fascinated by this one as they're everywhere!

TinaYouFatLard · 03/05/2023 21:24

Is it linked to trypopophobia (sp?) do you think.

I used to worry that I’d hurt DS by pulling clothing over his head and scratching him with a button.

SquashPenguin · 03/05/2023 21:25

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 03/05/2023 21:06

Mushrooms, honestly they give me the hebiejebies. I really don’t like them on my plate and will look away until my husband and removed the offending things!

I’m terrified of mushrooms! I want to claw my eyes out when I see them. I actually run the opposite direction when I see them in the wild 🤮

Original poster
pinky7987 · 03/05/2023 21:25

Pip1402 · 03/05/2023 21:22

Do you never wear anything with buttons on? Not even jeans? Can you explain what it is about them that's scary? I have a different phobia but it's something most people dislike even if they aren't scared of it. I'm fascinated by this one as they're everywhere!

I'm fine with buttons on jeans. The ones I don't like are the ones with holes in. No idea why!

OP posts:
Wilberthepig · 03/05/2023 21:28

I can't bear tin foil
Just the word makes me shudder and want to rip my skin off
It stems from being a child and my parents made a guy fawkes-they kept it in the bath
I was shit scared of it apparently
Years later I asked my father what they'd used to make it
'It's hair was straw,it's face was tin foil,it's clothes where what your mother found in the charity shop...'
Mystery solved

My dd has a phobia of clowns
she was staying at my parents and had fallen asleep on the sofa
She woke up to her grandad watching a programme about John Wayne gacy-thinking she was still asleep
She can't even say the word,let alone be anywhere near one

Atethehalloweenchocs · 03/05/2023 21:35

You can be phobic about literally anything. Phobias by their nature are never rational, so usually feel a bit weird. I have heard of button phobia before. They are pretty easy to treat with CBT, your local IAPT service should be able to help or you can find a CBT therapist online. It doesnt actually take that long usually. Good luck.

Rockingcloggs · 03/05/2023 21:38

My art teacher from 25 years ago had a fear of buttons too!

Tilllly · 03/05/2023 21:41

I understand
I can't bear loose buttons with the holes showing. Makes my skin crawl

EmpressaurusOfCats · 03/05/2023 21:46

Not a phobia as such but people with polo shirts buttoned to the neck give me the ick for some reason. It just looks wrong.

rewilded · 03/05/2023 21:47

I don't like loose buttons. If I find any on the floor I throw them away but I can cope with them attached! I also cannot have loose change lying around and pennies and 2p coins either go in the bin or purse and are used to get rid of quickly.

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