Why do some people fail to look at this lotus flower?

Are you afraid or disgusted to look at a bunch of holes like a lotus flower, a sea sponge, or the hexagonal structure of a honeycomb? If the answer is "yes," you may have tripophobia - the fear or repulsion generated by geometric figures very close to each other.

If you have some kind of affliction while looking at this lotus flower, you may have tripophobia

Also known as a phobia of repetitive patterns, its existence was not known until 2009, when an American student created a Facebook page to talk about his fears. It attracted a lot of interest and soon similar initiatives appeared on Reddit and Instagram. This made doctors and psychologists study the subject. But there are professionals who see the phenomenon as a mere consequence of its spread and popularity in social networks, like a meme.

Tripophobia is thus not yet officially recognized, as it can not be diagnosed. But in 2013, researchers at the University of Essex in the UK analyzed this curious fear.

Honeycombs can also trigger unpleasant reactions

They studied 286 adults and found that 16% reacted with aversion to repetitive patterns, including physiological reactions such as increased heart rate. Some even shuddered. One of the patients said that the images "gave him nausea and tremors."

Can human evolution explain it?

Arnold Wilkins and Geoff Cole, the researchers who conducted the study, think that such reactions may be part of a defense mechanism. That's because there are many potentially lethal animals, like spiders and snakes, that have similar marks. Aversion would be an evolutionary adaptation linked to individual preservation.

Wilkins and Cole justify the hypothesis based on the fact that one of the respondents revealed their fear of the blue-ringed octopus, an animal with one of the most powerful poisons in the world.

Blue-ringed octopus has deadly poison for humans

When they heard this, the researchers collected several images of some of the most toxic animals known and found that they had patterns similar to those that trigger the bad sensations in people who have tripophobia.

This poisonous frog also has patterns similar to those affecting the tripophobes

But The British University of Kent also has a competing theory about negative reactions to groups of holes. Patterns of holes manifest in diseases and infections such as smallpox and measles, and those who have tripophobia could make unconscious associations by seeing everyday objects.

Mathematical problem?

Another hypothesis, also investigated by Arnold J Wilkins, is linked to the configuration of holes and stains: more specifically mathematical properties similar to those known to cause visual discomfort and even headaches. Even in those who do not identify as tripophobic.

These images, according to the researcher, cause the brain to have processing difficulties, forcing greater oxygenation and greater energy use. Many phobias may be due to protective mechanisms. Fear of height, for example, protects us from dangerous falls, while fear of insects would avoid potential deadly stings. However, humans may develop phobias of anything, and the list only grew with the increased access to the internet and social networks. Even the fear of phone ringing has already been described as a phobia.

Those who argue against the existence of the tripophobia claim precisely this: that the condition gained fame through online discussions. And that victims are persuaded by the suggestion that repetitive patterns are somehow repulsive.

What do you think? Do you feel some discomfort seeing those images? Let us know you opinion. Thank your for reading.

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