How Common Is the Fear of Dolls?
There are countless fears or phobias that exist for people of all ages and walks of life, and pediophobia, or fear of dolls, is a fairly common fear. This phobia may manifest in early childhood and continue as a life-long fear, or in some individuals a fear of dolls may develop suddenly. In such cases, a certain event may trigger a doll anxiety of sorts. In some cases, an unpleasant association with a doll may elicit fear or panic when a doll is present. Although it is difficult to assess the actual percentage of the population who may be affected by this phobia, it is estimated that a fear of dolls may be more common than some people realize. This could be because many individuals who suffer from this phobia deal with it secretly and do not seek professional help. Pediophobia can take on several forms, including a fear of lifelike dolls that seem to ‘stare,’ or robotic-type toys, mannequins, ventriloquist dummies, and even some stuffed animals. Animated dolls that walk or talk are gen
