Phobias: The Science Behind Fears

Photo courtesy / Sunbelt Staffing

Halloween is approaching and what could be more terrifying than an overwhelming fear that can create an inability to function normally or cause intense anxiety? For many, this is a reality. Phobias affect 8.7 percent of the adult U.S. population, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Phobias can be divided into three main categories: specific phobias, social phobias and agoraphobia. Specific phobias can be defined as “an irrational, persistent fear of a specific object or situation that's out of proportion to the actual risk,” according to Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical practice and research organization.

Specific phobias can range from conditions like chromentrophobia, the fear of clocks, to hypegiaphobia, the fear of responsibility. If even thinking about phobias gives you a hard time, you might have phobophobia – the fear of phobias. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, some of the most common specific phobias include acrophobia (fear of heights), claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), insectophobia (fear of insects), aviophobia (fear of flying), glossophobia (fear of public speaking) and dentophobia (fear of dentists). There are also more specific and bizarre phobias such as geniophobia (fear of chins), xanthophobia (fear of the color yellow) and arachibutyrophobia (the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth).

The second type of phobia, social phobias, goes beyond just being shy. People with this disorder, according to Mayo Clinic, are excessively self-conscious and are afraid of scrutiny and humiliation in social settings. They also fear rejection, negative evaluation and offending others.

The fear of open spaces, or agoraphobia, can also have very negative impacts. This may cause someone to fear open or enclosed spaces, public transportation, being in a crowd, being outside or home alone. This condition can be so severe it prevents people from being able to leave their home.

While all three types of phobias are different in nature, they can all produce similar reactions. Physical reactions include increased heart rate, sweating and having a difficult time breathing. Psychological reactions include uncontrollable panic and anxiety.

There is still a lot that is unknown about the causes of phobias, but influences may be genes, experiences or a combination of both.  Phobias can be inherited from family members as well as learned from family members. A traumatic event can also trigger phobias. Additionally, age can be an important factor too. Specific phobias normally develop by age 10, social phobias by age 13 and agrophobia in one’s early adulthood. However, these phobias can still possibly affect all ages.

Of course, it is not uncommon for people to find certain phobias absurd or laughable like dendrophobia, the fear of trees or koniophobia, the fear of dust, etc. However, phobias like these and the ones mentioned earlier can have truly negative impacts. A person with a strong phobia, as reported by Mayo Clinic, may experience social isolation. A strong fear can also prevent people from learning social skills and cause loneliness.  Lastly, people with phobias can be at risk for depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse and suicide.

It is important to recognize the difference between a full-on phobia and being afraid of something. The difference, according to National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the intensity of the fear and the extent to which it causes dysfunction in a person’s life.  Phobias are overwhelming and long lasting, while the less intense version of that would be a temporary moment of anxiety.

For some, phobias do not need treatment. Though, it is recommended if a phobia is inhibiting you in your daily life, you should seek treatment. This can be in the form of therapy or prescription drugs, depending on what type of phobia it is.

Phobias can have a huge psychological toll, so this Halloween the scariest thing out there might just be your own mind. Of course, that is unless you have samhainophobia, the fear of Halloween.