We have all encountered scenarios that have struck fear within us. When scared, it is normal to experience slight anxiety, fight or flight responses, and instinctive reactions. However, when our fears of objects or situations become persistent and excessive, they may be diagnosed as phobias [1]. In line with the symptoms of an anxiety or panic disorder, the symptoms an individual experiences when they have a phobia include sweating, trembling, hot flushes and chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and the feeling of tightness in the chest. Phobias can be categorized into five main types: animal type, natural environment type, blood-injection-injury type, situational type, and other type [2].
Most Common Phobias
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is known as the fear of open spaces [3]. At a psychological level, it is a panic disorder that inhibits an intense fear of becoming overwhelmed and not being able to escape situations. Approximately one third of individuals who suffer from panic disorder are subject to experience agoraphobia, as well. People with this phobia avoid situations like mingling with crowds, going to spaces outside of their home, and using public transportation.
Acrophobia
Acrophobia is the fear of heights [4]. Depending on the severity of the condition, individuals fear different height levels. For example, someone may fear being on a high floor of a building as much as they would fear climbing onto a step-stool.
Claustrophobia
Known as the fear of enclosed spaces, claustrophobia encompasses the taking of extreme measures to avoid confined spaces such as lifts, tunnels, tube trains, and public toilets [5]. Research has suggested that many individuals who suffer from claustrophobia experienced a traumatic event revolving around confinement and enclosed spaces during their childhood.
Entomophobia
Entomophobia is the fear of insects [6]. Historically, insects have been thought of as unknown creatures, stirring up a feeling of disgust within individuals. This is referred to as the “rejection response” because people tend to avoid unknown or foreign matter. Additionally, insects and critters have negative connotations attached to them due to the potential diseases they carry. For instance, in many countries, specifically tropical ones, cockroaches are known to cause illness when they dislodge bacteria onto foods. From an evolutionary standpoint, as a species, we may have evolved to be aware of infectious insects. Finally, many individuals feel threatened by colonies of insects because of an inferiority response. By nature, individuals believe that they are strong enough to complete tasks on their own; however, when they observe colonies of insects working together and supporting one another, their beliefs of what they can accomplish on their own are undermined. These are all possible reasons to support the development of entomophobia.
Achluophobia
Achluophobia is the fear of the dark [7]. This phobia may be evolutionary in nature, as many predators hunt at night or within darkness. Some psychoanalytical researchers also believe that achluophobia is related to separation anxiety from a primary attachment figure. Commonly known as “being left in the dark”, when a primary attachment figure suddenly exits an individual’s life without explanation, the individual may never know the reasons for their leaving. Another association with achluophobia is a lack of confidence and security. Individuals who lack confidence may have experienced dark points in their lives that are suppressed. They are fearful of the dark because they are afraid of uncovering personal insecurities and weaknesses. Commonly, individuals with achluophobia become nervous in a darkened environment, are reluctant to going out at night, and prefer to sleep with the lights on.
Causes of Phobias
Although it is difficult to pinpoint the origin of phobias, as everyone has individual experiences and symptoms attached to them, researchers agree that they arise from aspects related to both genetics and the environment. In other words, both nature and nurture have a role to play.
Genetics
Many studies have shown that children will develop the same phobias as their parents, suggesting that the cause of phobias are due to genetic connections [8]. In addition, the biological vulnerability of being startled can predispose individuals to naturally develop fears.
Environment
Phobias most commonly develop as a result of negative or traumatic experiences, occurring when fear produced by an originally threatening situation is transferred to other similar situations.
Changes in Brain Function
Phobias can arise from changes in brain functioning which alter sectors of the brain that control emotion and fear. The primary structure that comes into play here is the amygdala.
Sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]
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