Bibliophobia is the fear or hatred of books, a term with two related but distinct meanings. In psychology and psychiatry it refers to an irrational and persistent fear of books or reading, a specific phobia classified under anxiety disorders. More broadly, in cultural and historical usage, the term describes a fear or hatred of the influence books may have on society or culture, which has historically motivated censorship and book burning. Bibliophobia is the antonym of bibliophilia, the love of books, and the word derives from the Greek biblion, book, and phobos, fear.
Facts
Partially Attested
First Described YearTerm's first documented (cultural-sense) use, Thomas Frognall Dibdin 1832; clinical specific-phobia usage undated (w-bbfill-psychology6-0926) Classification
Type of Phenomenon Diagnostic ChapterAnxiety or Fear-Related Disorders 1 Connections
In Branch
Source Wikipedia: Bibliophobia
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Bibliophobia
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia History and cultural usage section
An early use appears in Thomas Frognall Dibdin's 1832 work Bibliophobia, which described a decline in enthusiasm for rare book collecting.
lead section, diagnostic classification
In psychology and psychiatry, it refers to an irrational and persistent fear of books or reading -- a specific phobia classified under anxiety disorders.
In Branch: Abnormal Psychology, Categories
Wikipedia article 'Bibliophobia' is filed under Category:Phobias.
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