Just started playing Death Stranding and the main character has it! Although the game calls it aphenphosmphobia. And I’m not sure it’s a phobia, since it’s a very rational fear for him.

I also dislike being touched, and I’m glad to have a word for it. Previously I just used the word autism, which is more accurate, but less specific.

  • iconic_admin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    5 days ago

    Where is the line between a phobia and not liking something? I also don’t like to be touched, I prefer not to be touched but I’m not “afraid” of being touched.

    • TheFeatureCreature@lemmy.caEnglish
      4·
      5 days ago

      That depends. These days, much of the time when people call something a “phobia” they really just mean “mildly dislike”.

      Phobias are irrational and excessive fear responses to various things. They are often very extreme and can be life-disrupting for the people that have them, depending on what the phobia is. A phobia for an everyday occurrence can really screw up someone’s life and require extensive help to overcome it so they can improve their quality of life.

      • iconic_admin@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        5 days ago

        I agree that people really throw the word phobia around. Like OCD, you probably don’t have OCD if you like straight lines and symmetry, everyone likes those things.

        Real OCD is a problem.

      • waterbird@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
        3·
        5 days ago

        It means more than just excessive fear. I have agoraphobia. It doesn’t cause panic attacks, it causes a shutdown for me and stresses me out if I know I have to go somewhere. I won’t be hyperventilating, but I will be struggling for force myself to Do The Thing.

        For me, the agoraphobia is closer to the second meaning here.

        https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phobia

  • MentalEdge@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    1·
    5 days ago

    Both terms are correct. There are a couple names.

    Haphephobia is the easiest to pronounce though.

    In the game we never really see Sam properly experience it. He just kinda pulls away from Deadman a little and he goes “oh you have a phobia”.

    The scene where they both cram into the shower to talk about BB should have had Sam on the floor in a fetal position.

    But it doesn’t. Several characters touch or go to touch Sam and he never reacts with more than an unspoken “pls no”.

    • Grail@multiverse.soulism.netOPEnglish
      1·
      5 days ago

      I dislike being touched and I react the same way as Sam does. It sucks and kinda hurts because of the overstimulation, but it doesn’t debilitate Me. Just makes life a bit harder. My partners are very kind and ask permission before touching Me for intimate times.