Koumpounophobia is the irrational fear of buttons. Some people are afraid of the texture of certain buttons; some fear touching or wearing them, while others are scared of looking at buttons worn by other people. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had it, which explained his affinity for touch-screens and turtleneck sweaters.
Issues with certain textures are common with a variety of disorders including those on the autism spectrum, but also occur alone. If you are disgusted by the texture of some buttons, you might begin to dread handling them. Over time, this dread could worsen to include all buttons, even those that are of a different texture. You might also begin to fear seeing buttons, even if you are not required to touch them.
Interestingly, most people with a texture-related fear of buttons seem to be especially afraid of plastic buttons. Metal buttons, such as those on jeans, are not a common object of fear.
Like all phobias, Koumpounophobia responds well to a variety of treatment methods. Brief therapy methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can often treat simple phobias in just a few sessions. Your therapist will work with you to design an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Although a button phobia can have far-reaching impacts on your daily life, with professional help and hard work it can be overcome.
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