Christmas Fears Rising in Texas According to New Data

It’s the holiday season, and while some Texans are out here living their best “most wonderful time of the year” lives, others are quietly entering what can only be described as full-blown anxiety season. I know what you're thinking: "but it's the holiday season!" Yes, but also, it's a crazy time of year!

A new study by AmberWillo analyzed 64 different phobias tied to the festive period and discovered which fears Texans are Googling the most between November and January. Spoiler: the holidays may sparkle, but they also stress us out more than untangling last year’s Christmas lights.

Here’s a look at the top three Christmas phobias in Texas — and why they’re hitting a little too close to home this year.

1. Agoraphobia
   Fear of crowds and open spaces
   28,490 monthly searches
   In shocking news to absolutely no one, agoraphobia tops the list.
   Holiday crowds are a sport. From packed parking lots to elbow-to-elbow gift shopping, to WinterFest walkways that turn into human traffic jams, it’s no wonder Texans are Googling this one in record numbers.
2. Claustrophobia
   Fear of tight or enclosed spaces
   9,030 monthly searches
   On the flip side, Texans are also dealing with the fear of feeling boxed in- literally! Between holiday parties, crowded living rooms, packed kitchens, and cars stuffed with gifts and relatives, the festive season can make even the most spacious home feel like a shoebox.
3. Acrophobia
   Fear of heights
   4,410 monthly searches
   Nothing spikes this fear faster than December. Texans love decorating big, bright, and dangerously high- which means ladders, rooftops, and those steep mall escalators all become potential panic triggers.

Other Christmas Phobias Texans Are Searching

Beyond the top three, Texans are also searching for a surprising mix of holiday-related fears, including nyctophobia (fear of the dark), scopophobia (fear of being watched), mysophobia (fear of germs), and glossophobia (fear of public speaking).

From dreading the moment 15 relatives stare at you while you open a gift, to dodging potluck germs, to being peer-pressured into giving an unplanned Christmas toast, these phobias perfectly capture the chaotic charm of the season.

READ MORE: Texas' Favorite Holiday Beverage Isn't a Basic Choice

Why Are These Fears Showing Up Now?

According to AmberWillo founder Ty Letang, the holidays amplify anxieties because Texans are suddenly thrown into situations far outside their comfort zones like crowds, gatherings, emotional triggers, traditions, social obligations, family expectations… oh, and shopping. So much shopping.

Shorter days, tighter schedules, and bigger to-do lists only add to the pressure. But recognizing these fears is the first step toward managing them, and Letang recommends tools like pacing your schedule, deep breathing, and saying “no” to unnecessary stress,  including that rooftop light display that requires a 12-foot ladder.

Because at the end of the day, Christmas should be merry, not terrifying!