Is a Fear of the Number 8 Common

Is a Fear of the Number 8 Common Phobias Types Print Fear of the Number 8 or Octophobia Turned on its side, the number 8 means infinity By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial policy Lisa Fritscher Updated on February 06, 2020 Anthony Kushner / EyeEm / Getty Images More in Phobias Types Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Treatment Octophobia is the fear of the number 8. If youre afraid of more than one number you have arithmophobia. In the United States, octophobia is not that common because the number eight is not a ubiquitous symbol of bad luck, the devil or other superstitions. Americans are more likely to have a phobia of the numbers 13 (triskaidekaphobia) and 666 (hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia) because of their negative connotations. In other countries, and in minority religions here in the US, the number eight can be a significant number, making those folks more likely to develop a phobia of it. Numerologists also ascribe meaning to the number eight. The Significance of the Number 8 in Other Cultures In order to understand octophobia, it is necessary to learn about the various meanings ascribed to the number. The number eight is a holy number in many cultures, which carries a great deal of power. Many cultures and religions recognize the number eight is significant because it represents: The major festivals of the Wiccan yearThe number of days in the Jewish HanukkahThe Angels carrying the Holy Throne of Allah in IslamThe Guardians of the Directions in HinduismThe Immortals of Chinese loreAn affiliation with wealth and prosperity Should I See a Therapist? If your fear of the number eight interferes with your personal relationships, your job or your ability to perform essential daily tasks, such as buying groceries and paying bills on time, mental health experts recommend seeking treatment. This is the general standard for most cases of a specific phobia or simple phobia. Number phobias, such as octophobia, can fall into the aforementioned category. As it is nearly impossible to avoid specific numbers, such as the number eight, on a daily basis (consider street signs, addresses, a trip to the grocery store, going to a baseball game...). Therapy for a specific phobia, such as octophobia, usually consists of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, such as desensitization.