What are The Most Common Fears and How to Cope with Them
Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. The term 'phobia' comes from the Greek word 'phobos', meaning fear or dread.
In the clinical sense, phobia is more than simply a fear; it is an irrational fear that leads to avoidance of the feared object or situation and causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
Phobias are classified as specific phobias, social phobia (social anxiety disorder), and agoraphobia , each with different criteria and characteristics .
Specific phobias involve marked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (e.g. flying, heights, animals), often leading to active avoidance . In this article, we will cover the 20 most common types of phobias.
Arachnophobia is defined as an intense fear of spiders and other arthropods. This fear is often the result of an evolutionary response to avoid potentially dangerous creatures. A person with arachnophobia may panic when they notice a spider.
This panic may cause the person to leave the room suddenly or refuse to participate in outdoor activities where spiders may be present. This can negatively impact a person’s daily life .
Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes, and this fear can cause a person to panic just by seeing photos or videos of snakes. A person with this fear may avoid visiting zoos or watching documentaries featuring snakes. They may also feel anxious and nervous when walking through tall grass .
Acrophobia is a phobic disorder characterized by an extreme and irrational fear of heights. Fear of heights can lead to physical symptoms such as dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, and shortness of breath, and can significantly limit a person's daily life .
Aerophobia is an intense fear and anxiety at the idea of traveling by plane or other aircraft. This fear can be caused by various factors, such as collision or loss of control .
Cynophobia is known as the fear of dogs. This phobia can be caused by a traumatic event in the past or by the perception of dogs as unpredictable. For example, a person may change their walking route to avoid encountering dogs or feel extreme anxiety when they hear a dog barking. Cynophobia is a term that refers to people's anxiety and fear of dogs .
Astraphobia is defined as the fear of thunder and lightning, and can often cause people to panic during a storm. A person with astraphobia may hide in a windowless room or basement during a storm and obsessively check the weather forecast to avoid being caught in the storm. This phobia is an example of people experiencing intense anxiety about natural events .
Trypanophobia refers to the fear of needles and injections and may lead to avoidance of medical care. A patient with trypanophobia may react to the sight of a needle by fainting or having a panic attack, which may lead to avoidance of necessary medical treatments or vaccinations .
Social phobia is a fear of being evaluated or criticized when interacting with others. This fear may cause a person to avoid attending social events or avoid public speaking. Someone with social phobia may not accept social invitations or may experience stress and anxiety during social interactions .
Agoraphobia is a phobic disorder characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of open spaces, crowds, or any environment from which escape may be difficult. This fear can significantly restrict a person's daily life and lead to social isolation .
Mysophobia is known as an excessive fear of germs, and this fear can lead to obsessive behaviors such as frequent hand washing. A person with this fear may refuse to touch door handles or public surfaces without using barriers or disinfectants. They may also avoid social contact to reduce the risk of transmission .