There are all different kinds of phobias: the common fear of spiders is arachnophobia, or you might be deathly scared of going to high places which is acrophobia, the fear of heights. You might be scared of reading, thus have a bibliophobia. People all around the world have some type of fear or phobia. This year, it was found that 19.2 million American adults over age 18 have an extreme fear, or phobia, which is about 8.7 percent of people in the age group.
Here are the worst phobias:
- Snakes- This could actually be a good thing. According to studies, spotting a snake or a spider helps us survive, and it helped our ancestors to survive too. But I never understood why people were afraid of snakes. Of course they are venomous (that's the only thing that scares me), but only 20% of all snakes around the world are venomous and it is very rare that the poison actually kills a human. However, I can sympathize with the fear.
- Spiders- Women are four times likely to flinch and search for some sort of weapon when they encounter a spider than men. Studies show that even 11 month old girls flinch at the sight of a creepy crawly.
- Closed Spaces- Claustrophobia is the fear of closed spaces, and the common feared spots are elevators, public transportation, and shopping malls while the activities include driving, avoiding to leave home, and being in crowded areas. According to reports, 1.8 Americans over age 18 suffer from claustrophobia.
- People and Society- 15 million American adults suffer from some type of social phobia. There are a few symptoms: being nervous when delivering a speech in front of an audience, eating or drinking in front of others, being uncomfortable around anyone except family, etc. The fear begins early, during an adolescence's 13 year. 3.
- Heights- 3% to 5% of the American population suffer from acrophobia, the fear of heights. A study shows that acrophobics usually misjudge the height of a building and think it is a lot taller than it really is.
- The Dark- Being afraid of the dark is a kid's most common fear, whether they are afraid of the boogey-man or not.
- Thunder and Lightning- The loud sounds of thunder can make your heart pound, and the flash of lightning can make your palms sweat from your pores. In some cases, if you are scared of thunder and lightning, you have some severe weather phobia.
- Flying (on Airplanes)- Flying was always a dream to mankind, but some people panic when they are scheduled to board a plane. The fear can keep the person with the flying fear off an airplane at all costs.
- Dogs- People tend to develop a dog fear when they witness someone or themselves being bitten. Some are fearful and already know that dogs sometimes bite. Really, did grandma's dog biting you really mean every dog was out to get you?
- The Dentist- 9% to 20% of Americans have a fear of the dentist, and I totally agree with them. I wouldn't be so happy at the thought of having some intense sessions with the dentist.
Personally, I think numbers 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 10 scared me, although I also think needles (belonephobia, the fear of needles and pins) and clowns (coulrophobia) scared me even more than snakes and the other creepy crawlies. At least I know I’m bigger and smarter than them.
Here are some of my top 10 phobias:
10. Coulrophobia- Fear of clowns.
9. Phasmophobia- Fear of ghosts.
8. Nosocomephobia- Fear of hospitals.
7. Lachanophobia- Fear of vegetables.
6. Dromophobia- Fear of crossing street.
5. Bufonophobia- Fear of toads.
4. Belonephobia- Fear of pins and needles.
3. Ophidiophobia- Fear of snakes
2. Entomophobia- Fear of insects.
1. Arachnophobia- Fear of spiders.
Links:
What Really Scares People: Top 10 Phobias
