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Some of the Most Common Phobias
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Phobias are one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Approximately 10% of people in the U.S. have specific phobias, 7.1% experience social phobias, and 0.9% have agoraphobia. According to the American Psychiatric Association, phobias are the most common psychiatric illness among women and the second most common among men.
(https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/specific-phobia.shtml)
Arachnophobia
Cherry (2022), Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders and other arachnids. The fear response can be triggered simply by seeing an arachnid, but in the worst cases, overwhelming fear and panic can be triggered by the image of an arachnid or the thought of a spider (Arachnophobia).
Ophidiophobia
Ophidiophobia is the fear of snakes. According to Kendra Cherry, writing on the VerywellMind Website notes that this phobia is quite common and often attributed to evolutionary causes, personal experiences, or cultural influences. Some suggest that since snakes are sometimes poisonous, our ancestors who avoided such dangers were more likely to survive and pass down their genes (Cherry, 2022).
Acrophobia
Acrophobia is the fear of heights. This type of phobia, the fear of heights, affects more than 6% of people in the United States. It can lead to anxiety attacks and avoidance of high places. People who suffer from this phobia may go to great lengths to avoid high places such as bridges, towers, or tall buildings (Cherry, 2022).
Aerophobia
Aerophobia is the fear of flying. This phobia affects between 10% and 40% of U.S. adults despite the fact that airplane accidents are actually not very common. Around 1 out of every 3 people have some level of fear of flying. Some of the common symptoms associated with this phobia include trembling, rapid heartbeat, and feeling disoriented (Cherry, 2022).
Cynophobia
Cynophobia is the fear of dogs. Actually, this particular phobia appears to be quite common. Personal experiences such as being bitten by a dog during childhood may be the attributing cause. Events like that can be quite traumatic and lead to fear responses that last well into adulthood (Cherry, 2022).
Astraphobia
Cherry (2022), Astraphobia is a fear of thunder and lightning. This phobia causes victims to experience overwhelming feelings of fear when they encounter such weather-related phenomena. Like those of other phobias, symptoms of astraphobia often include shaking, rapid heart rate, and increased respiration. It is not atypical for people with this disorder to go to great lengths to take shelter or hide from the weather event; even hiding under the covers in bed or even hiding in a bathroom or closet (Astraphobia).
Trypanophobia
Trypanophobia is the fear of injections, a condition that can sometimes causes people to avoid medical treatments and doctors. This fear often goes untreated, like many phobias because people tend to avoid the situation. Cherry (2022), notes that Mclenon and Rogers in an article in the Journal of Advanced Nursing (2019;75:30-42) suggest that from as many as 20% to 30% of adults may be affected by this type of phobia
Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
Cherry (2022), social phobias involve the fear of social situations and can be quite debilitating. In many cases, these phobias can become so severe that people avoid events, places, and people who are likely to trigger an anxiety attack. The most common form of social phobia is a fear of public speaking. Social phobias often develop during puberty and can last throughout life unless they are treated. People with this phobia fear being watched or humiliated in front of others. Even ordinary, everyday tasks such as eating a meal can be anxiety-provoking (Social Phobia).
Agoraphobia
Cherry (2022), Agoraphobia involves a fear of being alone in a situation or place where escape may be difficult. This type of phobia may include the fear of crowded areas, open spaces, or situations that are likely to trigger a panic attack. People with this disorder try to avoid these trigger events, even going as far as to discontinue leaving their homes entirely. Approximately one-third of people with panic disorder develop agoraphobia. Agoraphobia usually develops sometime between late adolescence and mid-30s. Two-thirds of people with agoraphobia are women (Agoraphobia).
Mysophobia
Cherry (2022), Mysophobia, is the excessive fear of germs and dirt, which can cause people to engage in extreme cleaning, compulsive handwashing, and even avoidance of things or situations perceived as dirty. In some instances, this phobia may be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. This common phobia can also result in people avoiding physical contact with other people out of fear of contamination, overuse of disinfectants, and excessive preoccupation with media reports about illness outbreaks (Mysophobia).
Miscellaneous Thoughts
The term NOMOPHOBIA or NO MObile PHone PhoBIA is used to describe a psychological condition when people have a fear of being detached from mobile phone connectivity. The term NOMOPHOBIA is constructed on definitions described in the DSM-IV, it has been labeled as a “phobia for a particular/specific things.” Nomophobia might not yet be classified as an official mental health condition. However, experts agree this issue of the technology age is a growing concern that can affect mental health. Nomophobia appears most common in young people, though many phone users experience some degree of symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
Phobias are one of the most common types of psychiatric disorders and can create a significant disruption in a person's functioning and well-being. Fortunately safe, and effective treatments are available which may include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
The appropriate treatment depends upon a variety of factors including the symptoms and severity of the phobia, so it is always best to consult with your doctor or therapist to develop a treatment plan that works for your specific situation.
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