Arachnophobia, Claustrophobia and Other Common Fears

Phobias, defined as the excessive, sometimes irrational fear of an object or situation, affect approximately 10 percent of adults. Many can affect a person so drastically that they plan their day--or even their life--to avoid the phobia. Ranging from fear of crowds to fear of open spaces, there are too many types to list. Here are a few of the most common.

Nyctophobia: Are you afraid of the dark? If so, no need to be ashamed--this fear is thought to be one of the most common in both adults and children. It is said that a healthy fear of the dark is necessary, providing a person with heightened senses so as to keep them safer when they can't see where they are going or what they are doing. Nyctophobia, however, is an acute fear of the dark, a pathological fear of darkness. People who suffer from this phobia aren't necessarily afraid of darkness itself, but rather what the darkness may be hiding, what might be lurking in the shadows. Antianxiety medications may be used to treat this phobia, allowing the sufferer to relax enough live their daily lives.

Claustrophobia: Fear of tight spaces, of being closed in with no escape, is another common phobia. Those with the more severe form of this phobia (five to seven percent of the world's population) feel as if they are suffocating when in everyday situations, such as being in elevators, cars, or even offices with the door closed. This most often causes a panic attack, and may lead to hyperventilation or even fainting. Due to the debilitating aspect of this phobia, it can affect virtually every area of a person's life, including work, family and travel. Cognitive therapy is often used to treat claustrophobia, allowing the sufferer to work through the misconceptions associated with their fear. For instance, they may be made to realize that being in a car is not dangerous. Rather, it is a useful machine that makes life easier by allowing us to get from one point to another.

Arachnophobia: One of the most common of animal-based phobias, this is the irrational fear of spiders or anything spider related, such as webs. Someone with this phobia may even go so far as to refuse to go anywhere they may think a spider may be. Some believe this fear may be passed down from generation to generation, with spiders being seen as dangerous, blood-sucking creatures.

Acrophobia: An extreme or irrational fear of heights, acrophobia is very common, affecting up to five percent of the general population. Many argue that this is an instinctual fear, increasing awareness and cautiousness when in high places. However, sufferers of the more severe form of this phobia may refuse to climb ladders or even stairs. Others say that the fear of the height itself isn't the problem. The real problem lies in the fear of falling (a fear which, by the way, is called bathophobia).

Aquaphobia: As the name implies, this is the fear of water. This is most often associated with fear of large bodies of water, such as oceans or lakes, but may evolve into the fear of bathtubs or getting splashed with water. Like most phobias, the severe form of aquaphobia can be debilitating to those who suffer from it, leading to isolation and social issues if bathing becomes difficult or impossible.

Sources

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claustrophobia

Mayoclinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/phobias/DS00272

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaphobia

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrophobia