What is Aphenphosmphobia in Death Stranding?

What is aphenphosmphobia in Death Stranding? The cumbersome psychobabble appears right in the opening hours of the game, when Deadman, played by Guillermo del Toro, explains that protagonist Sam is afflicted by the condition.

This phobia, hardly one of the most popular in the public consciousness, is not just an invention of Hideo Kojima's twisted mind. Instead, it's rooted in a real phobia.

What is Aphenphosmphobia in Death Stranding?

Aphenphosmphobia, also known as Haphephobia and aphephobia, is the fear of being touched. That can mean physical touching or emotional touching. The phobia is frequently associated with victims of sexual assault, and its symptoms can include trembling, sweating, chest pains, hot flashes, heart palpitations and hyperventilating.

How Sam wound up with aphenphosmphobia is a mystery at the start of Death Stranding, but over time the game reveals the traumatic events that led to his suffering. If you're looking for those answers, you'll have to check elsewhere — or play through the game yourself.

Photo courtesy of Kojima Productions/Sony Interactive Entertainment