The Weird Thing Each Personality Type is Scared Of

From earthworms to clowns, talking on the phone to the sound of chewing, we all have fears—some more rational than others.  But have you ever wondered why certain things trigger such a strong fear response in you, while others don’t bother you at all? 

It turns out that our individual personality types can play a big role in the weird things we’re scared of. Here's what that looks like for each of the 16 personality types.

INFP: Fear of Becoming Evil

INFPs are kind and altruistic souls, so their irrational fear can revolve around the idea of losing their inherent goodness and becoming “evil.” They might worry that external pressures or temptations will push them off course and touch their moral compass, turning them into something selfish and corrupt. 

Coping tip: Perspective is a wonderful thing, so make it a habit to check in with yourself. Were you happy with recent actions and decisions? If the answer is yes, stop worrying so much. If something feels off, dig deeper and  figure out what’s causing that feeling. Are you not being authentically you, or is someone else's agenda at play?

INTP: Fear of Being Doomed to a Dull Existence

INTPs are curious and analytical thinkers who make sense of the world through logic. But sometimes, in their relentless search for the ultimate truth, they can end up feeling like life doesn’t have any real meaning or purpose—what philosopher’s call  “existential dread.” They may fear that their lives are simply a series of random events with no underlying significance, and they are doomed to living a dull and uninspired existence as a result.

Coping tip: Instead of getting lost in abstract thoughts, ground yourself in tangible experiences. A good place to start is to take up some hobbies that help you get out of your head and anchor you in the physical reality—something like yoga, tennis, cooking or painting. Your life is not meaningless if  you're actively creating and experiencing it.

ISFP: Fear of Crowds

ISFPs are highly attuned to their surroundings and often have an irrational fear of crowds. When in a crowded environment, they might feel like they are out of touch with themselves because they’re constantly bombarded by all the sounds, sights and people’s emotional energies. It's like standing in the middle of a dance floor, but feeling as though the music is drowning out their own heartbeat.

Coping tip: The best way to handle this fear is to face it head-on and take baby steps. Start by looking for something you enjoy doing and see if this activity can be done in a crowd. For example, instead of working out alone, join some group classes at the gym. Have a goal to focus on so you don’t get overwhelmed by external stimuli.

ISTP: Fear of Being Trapped

As highly rational, pragmatic and self-sufficient types, ISTPs may have an irrational fear of attachment. They might worry that getting too emotionally entangled with someone could compromise their freedom and leave them trapped and vulnerable to hurt and disappointment. Because of this, they may avoid intimate relationships, or at least struggle to fully commit to them.

Coping tip: It can be helpful to read up on attachment theory. It can provide you with tips to navigate your fear of attachment while maintaining your autonomy. In extreme cases—like if you avoid intimacy altogether—it’s worth discussing the issue with a therapist.

INFJ: Fear of Being a “Weirdo”

Perhaps because their personality type is so rare, INFJs often feel like they don’t quite fit in with the people around them. Their irrational fear could be the worry that others will think of them as "crazy" or a “weirdo” because of their idealistic worldview and unconventional ideas—and may even ridicule them for this.

Coping tip: Find communities where people vibe on the same frequency as you, like online forums or interest groups that align with your interests and values. Surrounding yourself with like-minded folks will make you feel like you belong and remind you that you aren’t "weird"—you're just different. 

INTJ: Fear of Making Mistakes

INTJs don’t do irrational anything, and that includes fear. Instead, they are more likely to have a fear of being wrong or making mistakes—especially if that mistake could lead to a negative outcome. There’s nothing irrational about seconding-guess yourself when there is much at stake. 

Coping tip: The fear of making mistakes is only harmful when it prevents you from taking action, so that's the part you need to work on. Do what you do best and carefully weigh the risks and benefits before making a decision. If it turns out to be the wrong decision, so what? Your process was sound, and you can use the experience to make better decisions in the future.

ISFJ: Fear of Not Being Needed

ISFJs derive a significant part of their self-worth from being there for others—whether it's as a supportive friend, helpful coworker or dependable caregiver. Because of that, they may have an irrational fear of not being needed anymore. So, when their help is no longer required, they can feel like they’re losing their bond with people they care about or becoming irrelevant in their lives.

Coping tip: When you feel like someone doesn’t need your support anymore, intervene. Plan something fun to do together or suggest an activity you both enjoy. Your friend may not "need" you in the same way anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can't still have a meaningful connection.

ISTJ: Fear of Tomorrow

As highly structured and security-oriented types, ISTJs rely on careful planning and preparation to keep things predictable and steady. They worry about what could be around the corner, especially when it comes to the “unknown unknowns” that might throw off their well-thought-out plans and established routines. 

Coping tip: Life is full of surprises, some good and some bad. Logically you know this, so lean into that logic. When you catch yourself stressing over something bad happening in the future, write down the actual facts. What are the risk factors? What are the implications? How could you cope? Just the process of writing it down will help you see that your worst-case scenario isn’t quite so bad. 

ENFP: Fear of Being Found Out

ENFPs thrive on social interactions and are often the life of the party. However, because they focus so much on maintaining their public image, they may secretly fear that they will be exposed as a fraud or “found out” in the sense that others will discover the insecurities or vulnerabilities they are trying so hard to hide. 

Coping tip: Start practicing a little more self-disclosure by sharing your true thoughts and feelings with close friends and loved ones. Maybe open up about something that's been on your mind lately or something that you find challenging. By letting people see the real you, you’ll realize that vulnerability isn’t as scary as it seems. 

ENTP: Fear of Being Seen as Ordinary

ENTPs take great pride in their quick wit, charm and ability to think outside of the box. They want to be recognized for these qualities because they are such a big part of how they see themselves. Sometimes, this can lead them to develop an irrational fear of being seen as ordinary and unremarkable, or just blending in with the masses. This is their worst nightmare. 

Coping tip: Work on detaching your sense of self-worth from social validation. A good place to start is to set goals that focus on personal growth rather than giving a certain impression, like mastering a new skill just because you like it—not because it makes you look cool.

ESTP: Fear of Being Unlovable

Even though ESTPs are outwardly confident and love being around people, they may harbor a deep-seated fear of abandonment when they let their guard down and allow someone to get close. They may worry that if they let someone see their true self—beyond their fun, easy-going exterior—they might not stick around.  

Coping tip: Work on becoming more self-sufficient. When you can derive a sense of security and satisfaction on your own—without needing someone else—that’s when true relief happens. A good start is learning to enjoy things that you usually do with others alone.  

ESFP: Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

As far as fears go, the ESFP has a more conventional one—these types often deal with a serious case of FOMO. They’re always on the hunt for the next exciting event or experience and can’t help but fear they’ll miss out on the fun if they let themselves settle or slow down. They thrive on thrill and spontaneity, so the idea of missing out feels like losing a chance to fully enjoy what life has to offer. 

Coping tip: Cut down on your social media use to avoid getting caught up in others’ highlight reels that trigger FOMO. Also, try keeping a gratitude journal, which can help shift your focus to the good things in your life and appreciate what you already have. You’re not missing out, you’re just taking time to appreciate the things that matter most to you.  

ENFJ: Fear of Being Seen as Selfish

The ENFJ’s self-image revolves around being altruistic, empathetic and reliable. Ironically, however, they may have an irrational fear of being perceived as selfish. They may worry that even setting healthy boundaries or taking some time for themselves could lead others to think that they are too self-centered and uncaring.

Coping tip: Whenever you worry about coming across as selfish, take a step back and ask yourself if this is really how the person sees you or if it's just your fears talking. Better yet, ask a close friend for a third-person perspective—their outside view can help you see things more objectively. 

ENTJ: Fear of Not Living Up to Their Potential

ENTJs are highly ambitious type A personalities who are always chasing after success. No matter how high they climb, they’re always pushing for more and feel like they could do better—it’s like they’re in constant competition with themselves. Their irrational fear could be that they aren’t making the most of their abilities and may end up not living up to their potential.

Coping tip: Start an accomplishment journal where you write down every little thing you do that gets you closer to your goals, no matter how small it feels. Then, make it a habit to flip through it now and then to reassure yourself that you're making progress. 

ESFJ: Fear of Being Secretly Disliked

ESFJs are social butterflies and the glue that holds communities together. They really care about what people think of them, and their need for validation can make them overthink others’ behavior—like someone not liking their social media post or taking a while to reply to a text. When they spot things like that, they may worry that the person secretly dislikes or even hates them.

Coping tip: When you suspect someone secretly dislikes you, take a step back and look at the situation from their perspective. Maybe they didn't like your post because they never saw it, or maybe you sent the text when they were swamped. There's usually a more likely explanation other than the person harboring some secret negative feelings towards you. And even if they did,  it's not the end of the world—you can't please everyone.

ESTJ: Fear of Public Failure

While an ESTJ might not admit it, they care a lot about what people think of them. They work hard to be the pillar of success and competence, so the idea of failing in front of others can be a daunting thought. They may irrationally fear that one wrong move will bring down their carefully crafted image and make them look incompetent or weak in the eyes of others. 

Coping tip: When you're afraid of messing up in front of others, try this: stop seeing yourself as the center of attention. Instead, imagine yourself as just another person in the room. Most people are too focused on themselves to notice everything you do. Sad, maybe, but true.