Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiais the fear of long words.
Almost everyone can struggle with pronouncing or understanding a long word at times.
Treatment options are available.
Illustration by Ellen Lindner for Verywell Health
Illustration by Ellen Lindner for Verywell Health
Definition
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobiais considered asocial phobia.
Fifteen million Americans live with a social phobia.
The fear of long words is very specific.
Some people may fear long words with many syllables, while others fear obscure words.
Some people might have an aversion to common words of moderate length.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia
Sesquipedalian means “long word” in Latin.
A social phobia involves an irrational fear of being judged or rejected by a specific social situation.
It’s possible you may also feel embarrassed if you’re unable to read the word.
This manual outlines the specific symptoms that are aligned with the condition in question.
Treatment depends on your specific diagnosis, your needs, and the severity of your symptoms.
Some options include the following:
Self-care is another aspect of treating social phobias.
It’s considered a social phobia.
A social phobia can be because of genetics, upbringing, brain function, and certain environmental factors.
Treatment includes talk therapy and, in some instances, medication.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Social anxiety disorder.
National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness.
2017;34(2):76-97. doi:10.1017/bec.2017.7
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed.
Washington, DC; 2013.
2019;99(10):620-627.
