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Types Of Phobias

There are many types of phobias. Phobias are a common type of anxiety disorder resulting from an unreasonable fear of a certain object or situation. People can be frightened of something and not have a phobia. The fear reaches the point of phobia when it disrupts a person’s life by causing panic attacks or preventing a person from living a normal, healthy life because of the fear of encountering the object or situation of the phobia.

The most common types of phobias include Agoraphobia, Claustrophobia, Acrophobia, Social Phobia, and specific phobias. Many phobias fall into the category of Specific Phobia – which is the fear of a specific object or event, such as the fear of dogs, heights, tunnels, water, and driving. A specific phobia occurs when a person fears on certain object or event so that this fear prevents them from participating in a normal lifestyle. Social Phobia is the fear of being embarrassed in a social setting. A person with a social phobia often avoids any and all social settings including attending school, shopping, attending church, or attending any event or visiting any location where people will be gathered.

Claustrophobia is one of the most common phobias and is the fear of enclosed places. A person suffering from claustrophobia often panics while inside an elevator, airplane, crowded room, or other small, enclosed space.

Agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces and often includes a fear of crowds. People suffering from Agoraphobia often restrict themselves to their home or neighborhood and isolates themselves from social situations and are unable to leave home alone. In extreme cases of Agoraphobia, a person refuses to leave the safety of their home at any time. Acrophobia is the fear of heights. People suffering from Acrophobia avoid any type of situation that involves heights including climbing ladders, crossing bridges, and traveling in airplanes. Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders.

As indicated, there are many types of phobias. Specific Phobias can range from the fear of spiders to the fear of water, snakes, dogs, clowns, and many other instances. A phobia can develop when a person develops an unhealthy and exaggerated fear of any particular object or situation. Not all fears are phobic in nature. It is normal to be afraid of a snake, spider, or aggressive dog. The fear turns into a phobia once it has reached a level that disrupts a normal lifestyle resulting in panic or anxiety attacks, or a person living a solitary life in an attempt to avoid certain situations. If you have developed a phobia, it doesn’t have to isolate you from society. Phobias can be managed, and in many cases, overcome. You have to take the first step by realizing that your common fear has turned into a phobia.

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Scott Barker- EzineArticles- Expert Author

For additional resources on fears and phobias, you can view my
Squidoo Lens at:

Phobias Tools & Treatment

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Filed under: Phobias