what is trypophobia

Trypophobia is a fear or aversion to the sight of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps. It is not officially recognized as a mental disorder, but may be diagnosed as a specific phobia if excessive fear and distress occur. People with trypophobia have a strong physical and emotional reaction whenever they see patterns made up of holes or spots, and the bigger the cluster of circles, the more uncomfortable they feel. The scientific understanding of trypophobia is limited, but researchers hypothesize that it is the result of a biological revulsion that associates trypophobic shapes with danger or disease, and may therefore have an evolutionary basis. Some experts theorize that this fear of closely-packed holes may develop as an extension of a biological fear of venomous or otherwise dangerous creatures. There is no specific treatment for trypophobia, but exposure therapy is a possible treatment.