See this photo? Apparently, 15 per cent of people find it completely terrifying.

Image: Wikimedia Commons.

We’ve heard of some pretty kooky ‘phobias’ in our time. There are people out there who fear frogs, buttons, even long words — somewhat cruelly, this last one is known as hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia.

But trypophobia has to be up there with the strangest of them. This pathological fear reportedly afflicts 15 per cent of people, though it’s not officially recognised in scientific literature. In severe cases, trypophobia can apparently prompt panic attacks.

The source of this abject terror? Holes. Small clusters of holes, to be more specific, and usually ones that are naturally-occurring.

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This means someone who suffers trypophobia is thoroughly creeped out by everyday things like pores, coral, Swiss cheese, cleaning sponges, honeycomb and lotus pods (pictured above). Even a fistful of straws or pieces of penne pasta viewed from above would set them off.

Although tiny clusters of holes don’t sound particularly threatening, research suggests those who fear them aren’t actually afraid of the holes themselves. It’s what they represent. (Post continues after this possibly very triggering gallery.)

In a study published in Psychological Science a few years ago, researchers Geoff Cole and Arnold Wilkins concluded that a primitive portion of a typophobic’s brain is stimulated when they see the holes, and associates them with something dangerous. Yes, even when they occur in a slice of delicious, innocent cheese.

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According to the website Typophobia — yes, there’s an entire website dedicated to the phenomenon — some sufferers think “something might be living inside those holes” while others “are afraid that they might fall in these holes”.

Speaking with NPR, Geoff Cole explains associations like this as an "unconscious reflex reaction that happens faster than the conscious brain can say, 'There's nothing to worry about'."

You might be tempted to laugh right now — admittedly, it does sound ridiculous — but when you think about it, avoidance isn't really an option for trypophobics. Holes are everywhere in this world.

Do you have any weird phobias?

Speaking of, erm, strange phenomena, apparently seeing faces in inanimate objects suggests a neurotic personality. See for yourself: