Fear of Friday the 13th, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, is a common, widespread superstition affecting 17–21 million Americans, with some avoiding travel or major decisions. It stems from ancient religious, mythological, and historical, cultural associations with the number 13 as unlucky. This fear, sometimes called friggatriskaidekaphobia, is linked to triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Aspects of the Fear:
- Definition: Paraskevidekatriaphobia (pronounced par-uh-skeev-ee-dek-uh-truh-foh-bee-uh).
- Impact: Estimated to cost the U.S. economy up to $\$900$ million per occurrence due to reduced business, travel, and commerce.
- Origins: The combination of Friday (long considered an unlucky day) and the number 13 (often associated with the 13 guests at the Last Supper) created this superstition.
- Symptoms: Anxiety, nervousness, and behavioral changes like avoiding flights, delaying weddings, or canceling important appointments.
- Management: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and mindfulness techniques can help manage the anxiety. [2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
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