Sometimes it seems like there’s a phobia for anything nowadays; there’s even a fear of everything! (It’s called pantophobia, if you’re curious.) And megalophobia, although it’s certainly not the most talked about fear, is certainly a valid one. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this is the intense fear some people have of large objects, such as skyscrapers, airplanes, large ships, vast spaces such as stadiums, and more.

Megalophobia can affect people of all ages, but as with many other phobias, it’s likely to develop during childhood and then become apparent during adolescence or young adulthood. Women are also more likely to develop specific phobias than men, so this list may be a bit easier for our male pandas to get through.      

While the Cleveland Clinic notes that it’s difficult to know exactly how many people are afflicted by megalophobia, it’s estimated that about 7-10% of the population has a phobia. And when it comes to the symptoms that those with megalophobia experience, they’re not very different from those that people with any other phobia may experience.

When people with megalophobia find themselves around particularly large objects, they may feel intense fear or anxiety, have a rapid heartbeat, have shortness of breath, feel dizzy and or lightheaded, feel nauseous and feel a strong desire to escape the situation they’re currently in.    

Many people don’t actually seek out a diagnosis for their phobias, but it is possible to be diagnosed with megalophobia if you have experienced a consistent fear of large objects for at least half a year. The four criteria that phobias must meet to receive a diagnosis are: intense and unreasonable fear, anticipatory anxiety, avoidance, and the phobia starting to interfere with day-to-day activities. If you’ve experienced these symptoms for a while, pandas, it might be time to seek help for your phobia.   

According to Verywell Mind, megalophobia can often be triggered when individuals with the phobia see larger than life versions of normal items. For example, a statue depicting a massive person or an animal shown much larger than it would ever grow in real life can be extremely unsettling. While people without the phobia may find these exaggerated objects amusing or entertaining, those with megalophobia can have a hard time viewing them.   

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss when it comes to avoiding megalophobia triggers. Certain media can make those with the phobia even more anxious, as we might have never even thought to fear a giant squid or sea monsters lurking underwater if stories didn’t plant these ideas into our heads. Writers and directors are well aware of these phobias, however, as they intentionally create stories featuring massive sharks, snakes and more to freak out audiences.

When it comes to seeking treatment for megalophobia, experts recommend undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy and/or exposure therapies. “A psychotherapist may literally walk someone through what they fear about large objects,” Verywell Mind explains. “In the process, they try to help the person understand rationally why that fear may be unfounded. The goal is then to work through a more realistic perspective of their fears and face situations that the phobia has caused the person to avoid.”

Certain behaviors can also help those with megalophobia cope with their fears. Healthline recommends developing anxiety-management habits such as eating a balanced diet, getting daily exercise, socializing with friends and loved ones, doing yoga and similar mind-body practices and finding ways to manage stress. If you’re well rested, well fed, busy and satisfied with your life, you may find your phobia start to shrink if you have less anxiety overall and less time to worry about it. 

If you suffer from megalophobia, it’s also important to get to the root of the problem and see where your fear comes from. Healthline suggests that those with the phobia seek out help from a therapist to not only cope with their fears but ensure that they don’t dictate their lives. Phobias are valid and can be excruciating to deal with, but we shouldn’t have to fight them in silence.

Are you feeling frightened by the photos on this list, pandas? Don’t worry, they can’t hurt you! But it is spooky season, so being a little scared is entirely appropriate this month. Enjoy scrolling through the rest of the pics, and keep upvoting the ones you find particularly unsettling. Then, if you’re interested in triggering your megalophobia even more, you can find Bored Panda’s last article on the same topic right here!