The world of phobias is terrifying, comical, surprising, real and unreal, all at the same time. Some phobias are very well substantiated and have been proven to be existent due to certain psychological factors. Some phobias are regarded as irrational and quite absurd. Fear of spiders and closed space, fear of heights and loud noises, have some basis but fear of clouds or fear of laughter appear to be quite weird. Phobia of pickles can be regarded as unreal but it is very real for those who experience it.
You may be aware that some people are afraid of ketchup. There is no name for the phobia of ketchup and people are likely to be afraid of it if they equate the red color and pasty structure of the ketchup with blood and if they have an aversion to tomatoes. Many people are afraid of ketchup if they don’t like to eat chilies or anything that is hot. Since ketchup reminds them of that sensation or the aftereffect, they develop a phobia of ketchup.
The same reasoning applies to the phobia of pickles. There is no technical name for the phobia of pickles and there is no real scientific reasoning that can substantiate such a fear. A delicacy or assortment that people across the world are in love with may terrify some people. Most of these people, who have a phobia of pickles, are typically afraid of the chili taste or the mix of sourness, bitterness and sweetness that most pickles come with. In addition to the taste of the pickles, it is the texture and the ingredients that also instill or induce the fear. Not many people know what goes or go into the making of a pickle. The gel like or jelly like texture of the pickle with suspicious ingredients inside may terrify certain people and along with that is the fact that the greasy feel may be uncomfortable for some. All these elements contribute to the phobia of pickles.
The phobia of pickles is one of the more unsubstantiated fears. While fear of loud noises can be due to migraines or Asperger’s syndrome or due to a physiological disorder in the ear or some psychological condition that may include cognitive problems, phobia of pickles doesn’t really have any scientific, physiological or psychological basis. A person may be averse to tasting something too sweet, too salty, sour or bitter, hot or tacky. But that doesn’t establish sufficient grounds for a phobia.