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People can be afraid of many things, from darkness to spiders, to you name it. Some of these fears are totally irrational, others come from our childhoods and creep in well into our adult lives. One of such bizarre fears is megalophobia.

Think of large objects like huge cruise ships, animals, skyscrapers, underwater structures, and even statues. Now imagine how’d they look if they were bigger. If the thought of it makes your hair stand on your arm, you may also have some traits of megalophobia.

And this subreddit named r/Megalophobia puts a test on your fear of large objects because it offers one hell of a collection. “A place to post images of all things large, particularly ones that are "triggers" for those with megalophobia,” says their description and 340k devoted members are nodding their heads. Scroll down and upvote the most triggering images below!

#1

The Kelpies, Scotland, During Thunderstorm

The Kelpies, Scotland, During Thunderstorm

Live-Love-Lie Report

#2

This Underwater “Waterfall” Is Giving Me Anxiety

This Underwater “Waterfall” Is Giving Me Anxiety

OBUDingusKhan Report

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MustardLemon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that moment when you don't have megalophobia but you do have thalassophobia (fear of deep dark water). Lmao kinda awkward.

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#3

Astronaut Bruce Mccandless II Floats Untethered Away From The Safety Of The Space Shuttle, With Nothing But His Manned Maneuvering Unit Keeping Him Alive. The First Person In History To Do So

Astronaut Bruce Mccandless II Floats Untethered Away From The Safety Of The Space Shuttle, With Nothing But His Manned Maneuvering Unit Keeping Him Alive. The First Person In History To Do So

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To find out more about megalophobia, which is a fear of large objects, Bored Panda reached out to Francis Merson, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Paris Psychology Centre who happily shared his expertise on the phobia.

"Megalophobia is a fear of anything really, really big – from skyscrapers to jumbo jets,” Francis explained and added that “phobias generally have their roots in our evolutionary history, reflecting phenomena that posed a real danger to our ancestors.”

“The classic examples are phobias of heights, snakes, spiders, etc. And Megalophobia is no exception to this trend,” Francis explained. 

#4

Redwood Trees

Redwood Trees

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#5

This Is Just One Picture

This Is Just One Picture

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SentimentAndBadJokes
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It took me a minute to realize it was not actually two photos, then another minute to process it.

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#6

Mt Fuji As Seen From A Nearby Town

Mt Fuji As Seen From A Nearby Town

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Francis argues that in a state of nature, “things that are larger are often more dangerous: insects are afraid of lizards, who are afraid of birds, who are afraid of humans, who are afraid of tigers. Large inanimate objects are also heavy and can crush you. In megalophobia, this primal fear of bigness is projected on the large objects of everyday life.”

The clinical psychologist said that if you find yourself “trembling and wanting to run away in the presence of an elephant at the zoo, or at the foot of a mountain, this could potentially be a sign you have megalophobia.”

#7

It Was Foggy In My Town The Other Day And I Captured This Terrifying Scene

It Was Foggy In My Town The Other Day And I Captured This Terrifying Scene

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#8

Iceberg Passing A House In Greenland

Iceberg Passing A House In Greenland

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Watching
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honey why is it so dark? Oh there's another iceberg blocking the windows, give it a few hours.

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#9

A Full-Sized School Bus Next To Haul Trucks

A Full-Sized School Bus Next To Haul Trucks

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Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Went to a mine in Moranbah, Australia. These things are IMMENSE, so are the mining cranes.

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When asked how do we know if a person who feels uneasy next to large objects really has megalophobia, Francis said that it manifests as an “intense anxiety that is out of proportion to the actual danger over a period of at least six months.” This is because “megalophobia falls under the category of a Specific Phobia – an intense fear of a specific type of stimulus.” Only if it corresponds to the kind of disproportionate extreme anxiety which lasts for long periods, it can be qualified “as a full-blown mental disorder.”

#10

That Small Dot Is Mercury In Front Of Sun. Definitely Unsettling

That Small Dot Is Mercury In Front Of Sun. Definitely Unsettling

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Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not unsettling, we need that very large, hot, bright thing. Alas, In the UK we only get to see it a couple of times a year, if lucky.

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#11

Anyone Going On Vacation To Japan Soon? Want To Visit The Godzilla Museum?

Anyone Going On Vacation To Japan Soon? Want To Visit The Godzilla Museum?

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KJ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sign me up, I just hope the ride stops inside and you don't get pooped back out instead.

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Moreover, Francis added that in the case of megalophobia, “you would also have to either be avoiding large objects altogether or tolerating them with extreme distress. And this pattern would need to be causing interference in your everyday life.” Therefore, “feeling a bit queasy when gazing up at the Empire State Building is pretty normal. It’s when large objects freak you out so much that you can’t work, go on vacation, or otherwise function normally that we might begin talking about a Specific Phobia,” the clinical psychologist explained.

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#13

Whale Spine

Whale Spine

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#15

It Is The Tallest Statue Of Nyoirin Kannon In The World, And The Tallest Statue Of A Goddess In Japan

It Is The Tallest Statue Of Nyoirin Kannon In The World, And The Tallest Statue Of A Goddess In Japan

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When asked whether there are treatments for megalophobia, Francis said that “specific phobias generally respond well to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and particularly to a component called Graduated Exposure.” He added that “in the case of Megalophobia, this would involve gradually confronting larger and larger objects, and learning that you can cope at each step along the way.”

We also wondered whether exposure therapy is successful in treating megalophobia. Francis explained that it’s definitely considered as a first-line of treatment for phobias. “This means it’s the treatment with the strongest evidence to suggest it works, with some exposure studies reporting an 80-90% response rate (which is really high).”

#16

Visually, Japanese Spider Crabs Really Are The Stuff Of Nightmares

Visually, Japanese Spider Crabs Really Are The Stuff Of Nightmares

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Steve Barnett
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Fortunately facehuggers evolved longer legs, thereby making it harder to be impregnated with a xenomorph.'

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#18

Sequoia In A Coniferous Forest

Sequoia In A Coniferous Forest

Capable-Government-1 Report

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some giant sequoias in California forests/parks have just had their trunks wrapped with fire resistant blankets to try to save them from the wildfires here.

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“However, because exposure involves getting people to do precisely the things that scare the crap out of them, there can be a fairly high drop-out rate,” he said. Therefore having a therapist you can trust to guide you through the process is key and can really help, according to Francis. “And if you stick with exposure, it’s the most powerful way there is to conquer your fears,” he added.

“So you might start with looking at pictures of tall buildings, then standing outside a large shopping mall, and gradually moving up the scale to mountains or skyscrapers. It’s like learning to swim by starting at the shallow end and very gradually going deeper.”

Francis concluded that if it feels like megalophobia is a problem for you, there’s no need to let it mess with your life. “Effective treatments are out there,” he assured.

#19

This Is How Big Anchor Chains Are. It Makes Sense But Dang

This Is How Big Anchor Chains Are. It Makes Sense But Dang

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#20

Mola Mola: The World's Largest Bony Fish

Mola Mola: The World's Largest Bony Fish

cryptomelane Report

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've seen a mola-mola in the wild! A little one, about a foot across, but it was still a mola-mola! Go me!

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#21

This Saltwater Crocodile

This Saltwater Crocodile

BuRgErKIngFooTMaN Report

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Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me, this is human hubris in a snapshot: instead of respecting the croc and leaving it alone, we treat it as a sideshow and get our kicks out of how close we are to danger, but apparently protected. What's really hurting us is our own massive arrogance.

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#23

Italian Sculptor Lorenzo Quinn’s Massive New Sculpture

Italian Sculptor Lorenzo Quinn’s Massive New Sculpture

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#24

Trees Occasionally Beach Themselves In The Search For Food

Trees Occasionally Beach Themselves In The Search For Food

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Linda McGuigan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I snort laughed at this one oh step into my parlour said the driftwood to the tiny man. LOL 🤣. )0(

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#25

The Size Of This Tornado Compared To The Wind Turbines

The Size Of This Tornado Compared To The Wind Turbines

MinaaBlack Report

#26

The Dragon's Eye Stone Mine In The UK

The Dragon's Eye Stone Mine In The UK

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#27

Saturn Rising Behind The Moon

Saturn Rising Behind The Moon

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Robert T
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And for perspective, Saturn has a radius 20 times that of the moon, but is 3000 times as far away (depends where Earth and Saturn are in their orbits).

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#28

King Albert's Tower. Person At The Base For Scale

King Albert's Tower. Person At The Base For Scale

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#30

Always Forget How Massive These Supercarriers That America Builds Actually Are

Always Forget How Massive These Supercarriers That America Builds Actually Are

SquealTeam10 Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On my device, the paddler looks a little like Bea Arthur from The Golden Girls.

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#31

Abandoned Movie Prop In A Mausoleum. Poland

Abandoned Movie Prop In A Mausoleum. Poland

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#32

Tokyo Flood Tunnels

Tokyo Flood Tunnels

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#33

Had To Search Up If It Was Real

Had To Search Up If It Was Real

glass_mr Report

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Laura Mende (Human)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! Australia, put that thing back where it came from or so help me!! (Oh, it's from Australia... than... have a nice day down there.)

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#34

Well Yes, But Actually No *shiver*

Well Yes, But Actually No *shiver*

SubtleOrange Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I would pay to be able to read the minds of other drivers as you drove that down the highway.

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#37

So I Herd U Like Salt Mines...

So I Herd U Like Salt Mines...

Pipinpadiloxacopolis Report

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Isabella
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is Slănic Prahova, in Romania. The height of the ceiling is about 55 m and it is located to a depth of more than 200 m. It is an amazing place, worth a visit.

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#38

Mt. St Helens Eruption, 1980

Mt. St Helens Eruption, 1980

maxkmiller Report

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A B C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heh, I like that way of bringing your motorbike, saves buying (and storing) a trailer. Is that still a thing, or is it considered too dangerous?

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#39

Creeping Up

Creeping Up

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#40

A Mountain Of Timber. All Stacked & Unstacked By Hand

A Mountain Of Timber. All Stacked & Unstacked By Hand

Browndog888 Report

#41

Massive Building

Massive Building

Phante_ Report

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks like the pictures I've seen of old Kowloon, where slapdash unregulated skyscrapers were all jammed that close together. The things probably would have fallen down if they weren't all leaning on each other.

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#42

The Sheer Scale Of An Open Pit Diamond Mine Compared To The Surrounding Town

The Sheer Scale Of An Open Pit Diamond Mine Compared To The Surrounding Town

Bunnystrawbery Report

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Diamonds as ornamentation need to be a thing of the past. I know diamonds are still needed for machinery, but the process is so destructive, they should at least be phased out of the jewelry industry.

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#43

Girl Poses Next To A F1 Tornado A Mile Away

Girl Poses Next To A F1 Tornado A Mile Away

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#44

Big Sand Dune

Big Sand Dune

cdubose Report

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Sherry Bock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ok, found where they put the dirt from the diamond mine pit....

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#45

2000+ Metre Tsunami Looking Mountain In Kazbeghi

2000+ Metre Tsunami Looking Mountain In Kazbeghi

sabastianN-2 Report

#46

This Huge Road

This Huge Road

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#47

This Abandoned Power Plant

This Abandoned Power Plant

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#48

This Picture Of The Empire State Building From Nj Gives Me A Weird Feeling

This Picture Of The Empire State Building From Nj Gives Me A Weird Feeling

3157899706 Report

#49

It Really Gives It A Sense Of Its Scale. Look At Those Itty Bitty People. (Statue Of Unity, If You Haven't Seen It. Nearly 600' Tall)

It Really Gives It A Sense Of Its Scale. Look At Those Itty Bitty People. (Statue Of Unity, If You Haven't Seen It. Nearly 600' Tall)

WarriorX-1 Report

#50

Bagger 288, The World's Largest Land Vehicle

Bagger 288, The World's Largest Land Vehicle

YoBoiWitTheShits Report

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Otter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like something out of a cheesy dystopian sci-fi movies, like "Mortal Engines"!

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Note: this post originally had 91 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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