These are the 5 strangest phobias you can suffer from

We all get scared sometimes, but it shouldn't go too far. A little fear keeps you sharp, but if you're too afraid to leave your house because you're scared that a branch will fall on your head, well, then it becomes difficult.

Phobias are often studied in psychology. Not only because it's interesting to look at why someone is so afraid of a cat, an open space with people, or an airplane, because often there is a deeper thought behind it. For example, I know that I personally find flying unpleasant. Why do I think that, I wonder? I know the answer. I'm just afraid that I won't come back and I'm so happy with my life and with everyone around me. Of course, I know that it doesn't make sense and that I also get into a car without thinking and that it can also bring dangers. But yes, it's easy to say, but when you have that fear, you have it.

What makes flying scary for me: it's letting go of control. You sit in that seat and your life is in the hands of the pilot. I find that unpleasant: I prefer to do it myself. But yes, I haven't studied aviation but psychology, so I teach myself the trick of ‘reframing’. It works very simply and it works well for me. So whatever fear you have, here it comes: look at the situation. Can you change anything about it? Often not. I'm just in that airplane seat. What I can change is how I think about it. I can cry, scream, whine, and whimper, but that mainly affects me. The situation remains the same. I can also chat with someone, take deep breaths in and out, and seek distraction on my iPad or in my book. And treat myself to an ordinary filled cookie. The situation remains the same: I'm still in that airplane, but a bit happier. You have that choice yourself.

Alright then. Fear of flying is more common and I'm certainly not the only one. But according to scientists, these are the five strangest phobias that you can suffer from:

Phobophobia

The fear of being afraid of something. So, uh, you're afraid of being afraid.

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

The fear of the number 666.

Pteronophobia

The fear of being tickled by feathers.

Hylophobia

The fear of forests and trees and even of products made from wood.

Taphophobia

The fear of being buried alive.