Miley Cyrus admits she has a phobia of paper, saying it makes her ‘want to vomit’

Miley Cyrus recently shocked fans by confessing she has an intense phobia of paper, which can trigger a gag reflex and make her feel physically ill.

The pop superstar opened up about this very unusual fear, medically known as Papyrophobia, during a recent TV appearance. Her aversion is particularly severe when dry hands touch certain types of paper, a scenario that often turns her into a self-proclaimed “Grinch” around the winter holidays.

This unexpected personal detail reveals a serious struggle that even impacts her daily routines and home life, proving that no one, not even a chart-topping celebrity, is immune to debilitating phobias. She’s now looking into therapeutic intervention to help manage this surprising anxiety disorder.

Let’s break down the details of Miley’s startling confession and how she’s dealing with this everyday terror.

What is Papyrophobia?

Papyrophobia is the specific, irrational fear of paper, or, more broadly, the anxiety that is triggered by the sight, sound, or texture of paper.

This phobia falls under the category of Specific Phobic Disorders, which are characterized by an extreme, persistent fear of a particular object or situation. For sufferers, the fear is very real and can trigger a full physical panic response, including dizziness, shortness of breath, and nausea.

The fear can manifest in various ways; some may be afraid of paper cuts, while others might react to the crumpled sound or a specific type of paper, like newspaper or wrapping paper. It’s an incredibly tough phobia to live with, given how much paper we encounter daily in documents, packaging, and money.

Where Did Miley Reveal Her Fear?

Cyrus candidly discussed her unusual anxiety during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she was visibly uncomfortable even talking about the subject.

She was on the show to promote her recent music work, and the conversation took an unexpected turn when discussing her personal life. The “Flowers” singer was particularly focused on how the issue affects her during the winter months.

She told Kimmel, “I’m known as a little bit of a Grinch because I have a qualm with Christmas. I hate paper.” She pointed out that the real problem for her is when “people have dry hands and they touch paper,” which is so common when it’s cold, and the air is dry.

Miley humorously, yet earnestly, gestured toward the cue cards on the host’s desk, stating that just looking at them made her “want to vomit.”

What are Miley’s Specific Paper Triggers?

While paper in general is a huge issue, Miley pointed to a few particular items and textures that send her over the edge.

She explained that the roughness of materials like cardboard is the absolute worst. Amazon boxes, which are delivered almost daily in modern life, are a huge trigger for her anxiety.

She joked that her engagement to musician Maxx Morando was a strategic move: “That’s the best part—that’s really why I got engaged because I just make my fiancé open all the packages outside.” She is also unable to open letters she receives, preferring to communicate almost exclusively through texts, emails, or other digital platforms. Modern technology, like the Kindle or an iPad, has been a life-saver for her reading habits.

Interestingly, not all paper is off-limits. Cyrus noted that smoother items, such as wax paper and rolling papers, don’t trigger her fear. This detail suggests her phobia is tied primarily to the specific dry, rough texture and the sound it creates. This isn’t just a quirky dislike; it’s a serious physical and emotional reaction that disrupts her peace.

Where Does Her Paper Phobia Come From?

Cyrus attributes the initial development of her intense fear to her childhood, specifically long road trips with her family from their home in Nashville, Tennessee, to Canada.

She recalled being stuck in the backseat with her brothers during these 14-hour drives. While the siblings would fight throughout the trip, her brothers found one particular way to “really torture” her.

She described how they would rub sheets of notebook paper together right next to her ears. The sound and sensation of the rubbing, combined with the general chaos and lack of escape, imprinted a deep trauma linked to the rough, dry texture and sound of the paper. While the cause is rooted in a childhood memory, she acknowledged that the phobia has only gotten worse as she’s gotten older.

How is the Phobia Affecting Her Life Today?

The phobia has become a genuine obstacle to her quality of life, extending far beyond the holiday season or mail collection.

From filling out official forms to simply handling packaging, paper is unavoidable, which is why she feels an “intervention” is necessary. The former Disney star realizes she needs professional help to address a fear that is increasingly interfering with her day-to-day existence.

Cyrus shared that she is actively looking into treatment options. Specifically, she mentioned being “hypnotized about it” or trying a therapy known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Miley is being proactive because she knows that trying to avoid an object as ubiquitous as paper is simply not a sustainable solution.

Her transparency about this struggle offers an important reminder that mental health issues can take many unexpected forms, even for the most famous people.

TL;DR

• Miley Cyrus revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she suffers from Papyrophobia, the fear of paper.
• The phobia is so severe that the sight or texture of certain paper makes her feel nauseous and “want to vomit.”
• Her biggest trigger is the sensation of dry hands touching dry, rough paper, making her particularly anxious around Christmas wrapping.
• Miley says cardboard, like that used in Amazon boxes, is “the worst of it all.”
• She credits her fiancé, Maxx Morando, for opening all her packages outside to help her cope with the fear.
• The phobia is traced back to a childhood trauma when her brothers would rub paper together next to her ears during long road trips.
• Miley is seeking professional treatment, including EMDR or hypnotherapy, as the phobia is “affecting my everyday life.”

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.