Miley Cyrus reveals fear of paper, explains how fiancé Maxx Morando helps her cope

Miley Cyrus has a surprising phobia: she is genuinely afraid of paper. During her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on December 4, the singer opened up about this unusual fear, which affects many aspects of her daily life.

The Something Beautiful star, recently engaged to musician Maxx Morando, explained that her fianc often opens their mail and packages outside to spare her from contact with paper. Thats really why I got engaged, she admitted, highlighting how seriously her fear impacts her routine.

Cyrus described the discomfort paper causes her, especially when people with dry hands touch it in cold weather. She prefers digital alternatives such as texting, emailing, phone calls, and e-books. Its a phobia, and I need help, she confessed, adding that certain types of paper, like rolling papers and waxed paper, are exceptions for her.

Her fear, clinically known as papyrophobia, can trigger anxiety when encountering paper. It often begins in childhood, and studies indicate women are more likely to develop the condition than men. Specific phobias like this affect roughly 8% to 12% of Americans.

Cyrus traced her paper fear back to childhood road trips from Nashville to Toronto, where her brothers would tease her by rubbing paper together in the car. Today, she still avoids cardboard and packaging, making her fianc handle deliveries outside their home.

While treatment options exist, including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, hypnotherapy, and medication, Cyrus noted the challenge of completely overcoming her fear. For smoother paper, like marriage certificates, she finds it more tolerable but still cautious.

Despite her phobia, Cyrus enjoys holiday gifts, as long as they are wrapped in silk instead of traditional paper. I love stockings, and anything that I want fits perfectly in a silk stocking. No paper, she said, adding that silk prevents the dryness that triggers her discomfort.

Author: Natalie Monroe