<P> Haphephobia (also known as aphephobia, haphophobia, hapnophobia, haptephobia, haptophobia, thixophobia) is a rare specific phobia that involves the fear of touching or of being touched . It is an acute exaggeration of the normal tendencies to protect one's personal space, expressed as a fear of contamination or invasion, and extending even to people whom its sufferers know well . </P> <P> Some people are born with haphephobia, while others may develop it, predominantly after a bad experience . More rarely, it is caused by an extreme reaction to their environment . Sometimes, the fear is restricted specifically, or predominantly, to being touched by people of the opposite or same sex . This is often associated with a fear of sexual assault . Michel Dorais reports that many boys who have been the victims of sexual abuse have a fear of being touched, quoting one victim who describes being touched as something that "burns like fire", causing him to freeze up or lash out . </P>

Condition where you don't like to be touched