Is there a name for this?
I recently became aware of the fact that I am terrified of protein ribbon diagrams while I was looking up information about diseases on Wikipedia. At multiple points I unexpectedly saw images of ribbon diagrams and jumped every time, nearly throwing my computer. Because of this, I'm too afraid to look into "obscure" diseases (something I used to spend hours doing). Thinking about them also makes my skin scrawl and sends chills through my body. There hasn't been any past traumatic event involving ribbon diagrams and I have no fear of doctors/graphic images/illnesses/medical procedures in any way. Also, I know this isn't a new thing either because I have a memory of watching the movie Contagion a couple years back and seeing a scene where a character was looking at a ribbon diagram on a monitor; it made me very uncomfortable. I was just wondering if there was a specific fear this is tied to or if it's its own thing.
Posted Feb 14, 2026, 7:55 AM UTC