I recently came across something called trypophobia which is the fear or aversion to images of uneven clusters of holes or bumps. At first, I didn’t even know it had a name. But once I saw pictures of hand infested holes and honeycombs up close, I felt it immediately: a strange discomfort, almost disgust, as if something wasn’t right.

What fascinated me was not just my reaction, but the idea that many people share it. Some researchers suggest trypophobia may be connected to survival instincts. Believing that these patterns resemble diseased skin, parasites, or dangerous animals, and so our brains respond with avoidance. In other words, the reaction may be less about the image itself and more about the meaning our bodies attach to it.

That made me think about mental health and trauma. So often, our reactions to things feel immediate and overwhelming. Feeling anxiety at a sound, shame at a memory or, disgust at a picture. But beneath those reactions is usually something deeper that our bodies have drawn to protect us, even if the “danger” is no longer there.

For me, trypophobia images are a reminder of how powerfully the mind and body are connected. The sight of something as harmless as a lotus pod can stir up a visceral reaction that feels almost irrational but is rooted in survival. Trauma responses can feel the same way, instinctual, but we cannot always explain the thing that once kept us safe.

Featured Image: https://www.deviantart.com/bytebrushgallery/art/Trypophobia-2024-1186445921