Do you have a fear or strong phobia of something? There are many things a person can be afraid of, causing them to faint, shiver, or even have a panic attack. These phobias tend to have strange names, but the ten most common phobias are listed below.
1. Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia is an extreme fear of spiders, causing medical symptoms like anxiety, heavy breathing, and panic attacks. Actually, this phobia is not uncommon. It may arise after interacting with Arachnophobic people, or an innate human fear may form after spotting this creepy creature. Around 3 to 6% of the global population suffers from Arachnophobia.
2. Claustrophobia
You have probably heard about this one. If your friend gets freaked out in elevators or even small rooms, they might have Claustrophobia. Be cautious, as they might have a nervous breakdown from shortened breathing. Four to five percent of people worldwide suffer from this anxiety disorder, often hinting at a past traumatic event as the cause.
3. Acrophobia
Acrophobia is the fear of heights. A general phobia, many folks exhibit this in park rides or during travel. This disorder will make you feel like you are standing on the world’s edge. Nervousness and a fast heartbeat follow. Heights are interpreted as emotional trauma; hence, It is so common that nearly 5% of people are Acrophobic.
4. Trypanophobia
This phobia constitutes the fear of needles or injections. Surprisingly, Trypanophobia affects 20% of people globally. It’s so severe that patients avoid hospitals or hide their illnesses to escape. Some even faint seeing it because they have developed a chronic fear. The only way to tackle it is by talking to the person through the procedure.
5. Glossophobia
This phobia comes from the Greek word ‘glosso,’ meaning ‘tongue,’ whereas phobia means ‘fear.’ It is the fear of speaking publicly. This is the person’s fear of receiving judgment or negative remarks on their speech.
This causes symptoms of high blood pressure, dry mouth, and stiffening of body muscles. Public speaking may seem easy for some, but 70% of Americans still face Glossophobia today.
6. Aerophobia
Aerophobia means the fear of flying. This phobia is felt by those who feel incredibly uneasy during flights. They won’t even board planes because it makes them feel queasy. Such people imagine the risk of falling from a great height and getting hurt. Aerophobia, experienced by 2.5% percent of people globally, can simply travel by land.
7. Social Phobia
This phobia is so common that people don’t even call it a phobia anymore. It is a social anxiety disorder or fear of social gatherings. These Individuals suffer significantly in social situations with big, chatty crowds. Such introverts will panic and go numb as a reaction to their surroundings. Increased symptoms of distress and fear affect at least 12.1% of the U.S. population.
8. Astraphobia
Nobody enjoys a rain storm, but the 2% of people with Astraphobia have it difficult. This phobia defines the fear of lightning, forcing people to hide in their rooms during a storm. Symptoms include shaking or having a fast heartbeat. The causes of the anxiety vary from person to person. For example, getting struck by lightning or even a haunting memory of a past storm.
9. Aquaphobia
Aqua translates to water, and this phobia targets people who are afraid of water. Although it sounds impossible, it is valid for 2% to 3% of Americans. In reality, it springs from a past experience of drowning in water or getting hurt in water. So when aquaphobic people see water, they think anxiously about it. In some cases, Aquaphobic people turn pale or dizzy when approached by water.
10. Mysophobia
This last phobia has a firm hold on people afraid of catching disease. This fear of germs and contamination affects their daily habits, too. Mysophobic people might even go hysterical if they touch a dirty object.
Their repetitive patterns of sanitizing might hint at an obsessive-compulsive disorder. This phobia affects roughly 12.5% of U.S. adults, so it’s important to point out and help an individual suffering from Mysophobia.