A viral video showing a plane emerging through dense fog has left people realizing they might have a new phobia.
Common phobias that impact everyday life
Phobias are anxiety disorders that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background, according to the NHS.
Common fears include claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), arachnophobia (fear of spiders), and social anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of phobias include dizziness, nausea, sweating, trembling, and even heart palpitations.
For many, aerophobia (fear of flying) is one of the most familiar phobias.
However, a recent viral video has introduced a lesser-known fear: megalophobia.
The viral video that triggered megalophobia awareness
On social media, a user, who goes by @zackfursa shared a video on X, showing a large jet emerging through thick fog, flying close to the ground.
Viewers were struck by the jet’s imposing size, which created a sense of unease.
The fear sparked by the video has been linked to megalophobia, a fear of large objects.
In the comments section, many viewers were shocked by the huge plane, while others admitted that they are afraid of large objects.
One person said: Is that the missing Malaysian airline MH 370 ??
A second wrote: That is crazy, what left me perplexed is that it comes and goes at a short distance yet you can see cars clearly from a further distance. I get that the fog could have been higher that ground level. Just weird
While a third commented: Yes. yes, it happened for me the second time i took the plane, I saw the ground through the windows just 5 seconds before landing.
What is megalophobia?
The Cleveland Clinic defines megalophobia as an intense fear of large objects.
This phobia can include fears of skyscrapers, airplanes, ships, and massive statues.
Natural phenomena like mountains, volcanoes, lakes, and large animals can also trigger this fear.
Even thinking about these objects can provoke anxiety in those with megalophobia.
Examples of objects that can trigger megalophobia
A Twitter thread compiling examples of large objects has gone viral.
The thread includes:
– Massive ships and transport trucks.
– The Egyptian pyramids and the statue of Bodhisattva Kannon in Japan.
– A window cleaner at the Twin Towers in 1979.
– The abandoned Goldin Finance 117 building in China, the tallest abandoned building at 597 meters.
Natural wonders also make the list:
– The Sorvagsvatn lake in the Faroe Islands, which appears to “hang” over the ocean.
– An underwater waterfall in Mauritius, creating the illusion of the island being pulled into a drain.
– A 604-meter rock in Norway that looms over its surroundings.
Man-made structures, like the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah, the world’s largest excavation site, also evoke fear.
Reactions to the discovery of megalophobia
Social media users have shared their reactions after discovering this unusual phobia.
Sally Tanner commented, “Omg! Yes! I have a huge fear over large ocean liners and especially the underneath of ships.”
Another user, Julie, wrote, “I was today years old when I learned I have megalophobia. My heart rate increased as my stomach ‘dropped’ with each image/video.”
Some noted that their fear stems not just from the size of the objects but from how small they feel in comparison.
The good news is that megalophobia can be diagnosed and treated.
Treatment often involves exposure therapy, which gradually desensitizes individuals to their fear.
For a diagnosis, a person must experience persistent fear and anxiety toward large objects for at least six months.
The phobia must also interfere with daily life to qualify as a disorder.