Ten Common Phobias

Let's face it. We all fear something. It's common, and 68% of the human race has it.

Here is a list of 10 common phobias.

1- Arachnophobia- The fear of spiders- Did you know that women more than men fear spiders? It's a fact. Women are more likely to fear spiders than men are.

2- Ophidiophobia- The fear of snakes- This is often caused by personal experiences, evolutionary, or cultural influences. That's a well known fact. In some counties, snakes are used for religious ceremonies, and often result in non-lifethreatening attacks.

3-Acrophobia- The fear of heights- This can lead to anxiety attacks and avoidance of high places. Pilots and staff undergo psychological evaluation before getting their pilot license. That's a fact!

4-Agoraphobia- The fear of situations- In which escape is difficult. This phobia can trigger a panic attack. This includes, crowded areas, open spaces,and can lead to a point where they cease to leave home.

5- Cynophobia- The fear of dogs- Associated by personal experiences. Often by being bitten by a dog during chilhood.

6- Astraphobia- The fear of thunder and lightening- Also known as Brontophobia. Tonitrophobia, or Ceraunophobia.

7- Trypanophobia- The fear of injections- Like many phobias, this fear goes untreated because people avoid the triggering object or situation.

8- Social Phobias- The fear of social situations- In many cases, people avoid events, places and people that are likely to trigger an anxiety attack.

9- Pteromerphobia- The fear of flying- Often treated using exposure theropy, in which the client is gradually and progressively introduced to flying.

10- Mysophobia- The fear of germs or dirt- This fear may be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

You can learn more about these common phobias at- psychology.about.com/od/phobias/p/commonphobias.htm