It is easy for people to fear something. However, when fears give you anxiety and affect your normal life, it becomes a phobia. It is fear due to things or situations that are less likely to give you harm. It came from the Greek word Phobos. Hence, this word means panic or horror.
Common Types
1. Acrophobia
This fear is one of the common types of phobia. People with this fear have serious anxiety and panic when they are in high places. It is common to feel dizzy and nervous when looking down from a high place like a skyscraper or roller coaster. Such situations do not make you avoid all high places. If seeing a steep mountain in a picture triggers your fear or anxiety, then you have acrophobia. You may feel sick even just by thinking of high places.
2. Aerophobia
Traveling through airplanes makes it faster and easier for us to arrive. However, to some, riding a plane brings intense fear and panic. Among the list of phobias is the fear of flying or aerophobia. Also, people living with this fear avoid flying at all costs. A bad flight experience may be the cause why a person feels uncomfortable riding a plane.
3. Arachnophobia
Fear of spiders ranks number 1 among the types of phobias. Many people do not like spiders, especially women. Therefore, we might try to kill it or run away from it. However, people with this kind of fear will do everything to avoid spiders. They might fear places where they once saw spiders.
4. Astraphobia
Thunder and lightning are often shown in movies to trigger thrills. People may experience surprise from sudden thunders and lightning. However, a serious fear of these two is astraphobia. It is common to notice this fear among children. Pets like cats and dogs may also have it. They may freak out or feel nervous after hearing thunder.
5. Autophobia
Humans are social beings. We communicate and need other people to survive. However, there are also times where we are alone. Different people show different reactions to this situation. Some may have an abnormal fear of being alone. People with this condition feel that they need somebody around to be safe. Also, they may think of bad things that may happen if they’re alone.
6. Claustrophobia
It is another common fear on the list of phobias. Hence, a crowded area brings serious fear to people with this condition. For instance, windowless rooms, crowded elevators, or congested highways are some. Though it is not a panic disorder, you may feel like having an attack. People with this fear may sweat, tremble, and feel chest pain.
7. Hemophobia
For health practitioners, seeing blood may be normal. However, others may feel a little uneasy. Some people may faint or feel anxious as they see blood. Thinking that you are undergoing surgery may trigger people with this phobia. Therefore, the bad thing about this fear is skipping check-ups or medical appointments.
8. Hydrophobia
Moreover, a person who fears to drink or swim may not enjoy their life. We, humans, cannot live without water. So, this fear is dangerous. It may result from rabies. Also, it is a symptom of the later stages of the infection. As a result, the person or animal will fear water. This fear may also result from near-drowning.
9. Ophidiophobia
Upon hearing someone yell “Snake!” it is normal to run away and look for a safer place. A mild fear makes you nervous as you encounter large or poisonous snakes. In severe cases, smaller snakes or pictures with snakes may serve as a trigger. Additionally, this fear may stop you from enjoying activities in nature like camping or hiking.
10. Zoophobia
It is all about the fear of animals. Hence, it is a kind of fear that makes a person avoid all kinds of animals. Aside from spiders and snakes, other triggers may include fear of bees, dogs, and fishes. Other people may also have an intense fear of rats and insects.
If you have any of these fears, search for ways on how to overcome them. There are treatments or therapies available for some types. Above all, do not let your fears keep you from doing great things.
