10 Common Phobias and Their Meanings
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1. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a general term used to describe fears that occur when a person finds him or herself in closed spaces, crowded areas or any place where it seems like the person cannot escape . It causes mostly strong fear and anxiety that sometimes paralyzes the person and, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, it affects about 0.8% of U.S. adult population.
Social phobia results in a strong fear and anxiety of being judged by other people. People experiencing this condition are highly self conscious and are afraid of being embarrassed and humiliated by others. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that 6.8% of the U.S. adult population suffers from this disorder.
Aerophobia is experienced by people who are afraid of flying. Fear of flight can lead to intense feelings of anxiety before and during the scheduled flight. According to airsafe.com, it was found in one research that 18% of American adults are afraid to fly. Although flying is considered to be one of the safest modes of transportation, subconsciously people feel otherwise. Luckily, there are classes and resources to help overcome this fear.
You should never ask Acrophobics to climb a mountain with you because they are extremely afraid of heights. The fear of falling significantly interferes with the daily lives of acrophobics and it is so intense that it can lead to fainting. They are afraid to be in the vicinity of planes, elevators, tall buildings and anywhere where they perceive to be high above the ground. According to an article “An Augmented Reality system for the treatment of acrophobia” 2% to 5% of the population suffer from this fear . But fortunately it can be treated with an appropriate therapy.
5. Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia is an intense fear of spiders and other arachnids. People suffering from this phobia feel extreme anxiety and fear that can lead to fainting, increased respiration, and difficulty in breathing. Like many other phobias, however, it can be treated to lessen the intensity of symptoms.
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