Oikophobia (also known as oikiophobia, domatophobia, ecophobia, eicophobia, and oecophobia) came from the Greek words “oikos” which means “family”, “household” or “house” and “phobos” which means “fear”. It is the irrational “fear of the familiar” such as items from the inside of a home (sofas, chairs, sinks, tubs, etc.), one’s house, and doing household chores.
What causes this strange (and thankfully rare) phobia is not yet understood. However, it is theorized that phobias are learned and that oikophobia may be caused by a traumatic experience which is linked to the feared object or situation such as home items and house-related activities. The treatments include psychotherapy and anti-anxiety medications.