What is Trypophobia?
Trypophobia is the fear or aversion to irregular patterns or clusters of small holes, bumps, or textures. While it is not an officially recognized phobia, many people experience discomfort, anxiety, or physical symptoms when exposed to such patterns. In fact, around 17% of children and adults experience trypophobia to some degree (that's about 1 in 6 people!). Examples of trypophobic patterns include honeycombs, lotus seed pods, and porous surfaces.
A is an informal self-assessment tool designed to help individuals gauge their level of discomfort or anxiety when imagining or encountering images with clustered holes, bumps, or similar patterns. This test may provide insight into one's sensitivity to trypophobic patterns but is not a diagnostic tool. There is no known cause, however, trypophobia is commonly associated with OCD.
Common Trypophobia Triggers
There are various common triggers which can bring on trypophobic episodes. These include the following:
- Cheese with holes
- Honeycombs
- Sunflowers
- Lotus seed pods
- Skin on reptiles
- Sponges
- Fruits with small seeds
- Insects and bees
- Shoe soles
Trypophobia Symptoms
Trypophobia can present differently across individuals. Common symptoms include the following:
- Rapid breathing
- Fast heart rate
- Pale skin
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Chills
- Goosebumps
- Nausea
- Shaking
- Strong feelings of disgust or terror
If an individual suspects they have Trypophobia or other anxiety-related concerns, they should consult a mental health professional for a proper assessment and potential treatment options. There is no definite cure, however, treatment could include talk therapy or exposure therapy.
Our Trypophobia Test template is available as a free PDF download, offering a convenient way for individuals to assess their aversion to trypophobic patterns. The template includes step-by-step instructions, scoring guidelines, and an example of a completed test.











