Most of us can easily relate to the term ‘phobia’ because we may be afraid of something; be it dogs, water or heights. Swinophobia refers to the fear of pigs. While this may be considered a justified fear during times of the swine flu, the fear people who suffer from swinophobia have goes far beyond contracting an illness.

Swinophobes are afraid of pigs in general and dislike consuming pork. They are so disgusted by even the mere sight of a pig.

Celebrities have more bizarre phobias that surpass our imagination. Known for his roles in ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, British hunk Orlando Bloom has been suffering from swinophobia for many years.

According to some reports, Orlando might not work in the remake of Orwell’s classic ‘Animal Farm’ because it requires the actors to deal with various animals – including pigs.

Orlando Bloom is so terrified of pigs and in a case when one pig got loose on the set of ‘Kingdom of Heaven’, Bloom turned and ran like crazy. This clearly depicts his fear of pigs.

People suffering from swinophobia usually experience panic or anxiety attacks, rapid heartbeat, trembling, nausea, profuse sweating and shortness of breath.

Pigs are generally considered quite ugly and that forms the cause of this phobia. Even the mere sight of the pig can aggravate the condition of any swinophobe because of what they believe to be their unhealthy, filthy and dirty breeding ways. Others adore pigs for their cleanliness, and even have them as house pets (see George Clooney).

The main question that occupies our minds is if we can cure phobias and the answer comes in affirmative. The best treatment for swinophobia is the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is considered as an ideal therapy to cure any kind of phobia.

Celebrities who are plagued by their phobias include Justin Timberlake, Christina Ricci, Woody Allen and Billy Bob Thornton.

Images: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:XN_Sus_domesticus_Animal_husbandry_912.jpg,

Author: Guido Gerding; and