Pronunciation: [tˌɒksɪfˈə͡ʊbi͡ə] (IPA) 
Toxiphobia, the irrational fear of poison or being poisoned, is spelled with the Greek root toxo-, meaning poison, and the suffix -phobia, meaning fear. The word is pronounced /tɒksɪˈfəʊbiə/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "x" in "toxo-" is pronounced as a "ks" sound, while the "ph" in "-phobia" is pronounced as an "f" sound. The vowel sound in the second syllable is the same as in the word "toe".
Toxiphobia is a noun that refers to an excessive and irrational fear or aversion towards being exposed to, handling, or coming into contact with toxins or poisonous substances. The word is derived from the combination of "toxi-" meaning poison or venom, and "-phobia" indicating an intense fear or anxiety.
Individuals with toxiphobia may experience debilitating and irrational anxiety when confronted with situations involving potentially toxic substances. This fear can manifest in different ways, such as avoidance behaviors, panic attacks, increased heart rate, sweating, and even trembling. People with this phobia may go to great lengths to avoid situations where they believe they could be exposed to toxins, which can significantly impact their day-to-day lives and limit their activities.
The origins of toxiphobia may vary from person to person. It can develop due to traumatic experiences or accidents involving toxins, witnessing someone else's negative experience with toxins, or even through learned behavior from a parent or caregiver who had a strong phobia themselves. Regardless of the cause, the fear associated with toxiphobia is typically excessive and disproportional to the actual threat posed by toxins.
Treatment for toxiphobia often involves psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to help individuals identify and challenge their irrational thoughts and beliefs about toxins. Gradual exposure therapy may also be utilized, where individuals are slowly and safely exposed to small amounts of potentially toxic substances in a controlled environment in order to desensitize their fear response. Additionally, medication may be prescribed to help manage anxiety symptoms associated with toxiphobia.
The word "toxiphobia" is derived from Greek roots. It combines the Greek word "toxo" (τοξο), meaning "arrow", with the Greek word "phobia" (φοβία), meaning "fear" or "phobia". Therefore, "toxiphobia" can be translated as "fear of arrows".
