Taphophobia: The Fear Of Being Buried Alive And Other Common Phobias

Medically reviewed by Paige Henry, LMSW, J.D.
Updated April 16th, 2025 by BetterHelp Editorial Team

The basis of the horror genre of film is the ability to tap into one of humanity's most basic instincts: fear. While the situations in horror movies aim to spark temporary anxiety and unease, some people experience consistent, pervasive, and extreme anxieties in relation to certain situations throughout their daily lives. In many cases, an excessive and debilitating fear of a certain object, situation, or living being, however rational or irrational, can be considered a specific phobia. Below, explore five common phobias—including taphophobia, or the fear of being buried alive—and treatment options for this type of anxiety disorder.

What is a phobia?

specific phobia, as defined by the John Hopkins University of Medicine, is “an uncontrollable, irrational, and lasting fear of a certain object, situation, or activity,” which can be so overwhelming that “a person may go to great lengths to avoid the source of this fear.” Phobias can incite a range of symptoms, from intense fear to full-blown panic attacks, even at a time when no immediate danger is present.

Some people may be easily able to avoid the object of their phobias entirely, while others may have to confront the object of their fear in regular life. Either way, it is possible to learn how to manage phobia symptoms with professional support.

Five common phobias

The following are five common phobias that a person could experience.

Having trouble facing your fears?

The fear of being buried alive (taphophobia)

Taphophobia is defined as the fear of being buried alive. This fear was both common and fairly rational in earlier periods of human history, when misidentifying death and moving forward with inadvertent premature burial was likelier to happen due to more limited medical knowledge and technology. Art and literature from these periods reflect the public preoccupation with this fear, such as Edgar Allen Poe’s 1844 story, The Premature Burial.

While clinical taphophobia is thought to be extremely rare today, it may have affected many people—including famous figures—throughout history. For example, some of the last words of George Washington, the first president of the United States, were a request to wait three days before burying his body to ensure that he was dead. Throughout his life, world-famous Danish author Hans Christian Anderson was also reported to have feared that he would accidentally be presumed dead and buried alive.

The fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia)

While finding yourself in a situation where you may be accidentally buried alive in current times may be rare, claustrophobia is a related fear that may present itself more often. For example, people with claustrophobia may have trouble riding in elevators, going through tunnels, getting on airplanes, or entering small spaces such as attics or closets. Claustrophobia is thought to impact approximately 12.5% of the adult population.

The fear of flying (pteromerhanophobia)

While being afraid of flying can be a result of claustrophobia, pteromerhanophobia is defined as a separate fear, which stems from fearing the possibility of a plane crash or air disaster. Though statistically, plane crashes are very rare, pteromerhanophobia can still be difficult for some to overcome, which could lead to limitations on a person’s traveling capabilities. 

The fear of needles (trypanophobia)

Being stuck with a needle is not typically considered pleasant, but trypanophobia is classified as an excessive aversion to needles. This fear can be highly important to overcome, as many life-saving medications and vaccines must often be delivered this way. 

The fear of open spaces (agoraphobia)

Agoraphobia is commonly defined as a fear of open spaces, but the broader, clinical definition is “a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if a situation goes wrong.” Unlike other more avoidable phobias, untreated agoraphobia may more frequently lead to serious disruptions in daily functioning and quality of life, as people with this illness may be unable to leave their homes. 

Facing fears and treating phobias

Different phobias may manifest differently and present different challenges, so there’s no one way to overcome this clinical condition. However, the most common treatments for phobias include a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. Meeting with a doctor or mental health professional for evaluation and treatment advice is usually the recommended first step in finding the right support for your specific symptoms.

If your phobia causes symptoms that make leaving home difficult, receiving traditional in-person mental health treatment may be more challenging. In cases like these, online therapy can be a helpful alternative. Research suggests that online therapy may be a promising treatment for specific phobias.

Having trouble facing your fears?

Takeaway

There are many different types of specific phobias a person may have, from claustrophobia, or the fear of small spaces, to trypanophobia, the fear of needles. Some phobias are less common today than they were in previous generations, such as taphophobia—the fear of being buried alive. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy are two of the most commonly recommended forms of treatment for phobias. Consider reaching out to a therapist online or in your area to receive support.

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