Specific phobia, the most common type, is an irrational fear of an object or
a specific situation. The most frequent is fear of animals such as dogs (cynophobia),
spiders (arachnophobia), or snakes (ophidiophobia). Specific phobias such
as a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia) and fear of heights (acrophobia)
is in this category.
These phobias, occurring in one out of every ten Americans are relatively
safe and stem from an intense dread of an object. Usually the person who
suffers this phobia is aware that the object is comparatively safe and the fear
is irrational. One knows that airplanes are a reasonably safe means of
transportation, safer than traveling by auto. Yet, many people are
intensely afraid of flying.
Phobia List
Triskadekaphobia--fear of #13
Ornithophobia--fear of birds
Gephyrophobia--fear of bridges or crossing bridges
Odontiatophobia or Dentophobia--fear of the dentist
Acrophobia--fear of heights
Agoraphobia:
As defined by the American Psychiatric Association, “Agoraphobia is the fear
of being alone in any place or situation from which it would be difficult or
help unattainable should the need arise.” Most people will develop this
disorder after experiencing an intense panic attack in a situation such as
being in a room full of people or on a busy street. These attacks are random
and the person fears another. The person eventually becomes afraid to
leave their own home. This is the most debilitating of the phobias.
Social phobia:
Social phobia is an intense fear of being humiliated or embarrassed in
public. This may be connected to low self-esteem. A person with this
phobia can be unemployed, avoids making friends, and lives a rather lonely
existence. Those with social phobia may exhibit these behaviors: view small
mistakes as exaggerated, feel all eyes are upon them, afraid of talking to
persons in authority.