You're struggling with your phobia . But what exactly is it? Where does this almost uncontrollable fear come from, a fear that can so effectively ruin our lives in some cases? Other phobias are more like apprehensions.
We offer a non-exhaustive list of the most "popular" phobias, along with their definitions. Of course, many of these terms will likely never be heard! Then, we give you some tips for overcoming your fears.
First of all, there are different types of phobias:
There are excessive, irrational fears that the person is able to control.
- Ablutophobia – Fear of bathing. This phobia is more a fear of drowning than a fear of water.
- Aerophobia – Fear of flying, of airplane travel
- Amaxophobia – Fear of driving, fear of vehicles or being in a vehicle, fear of automobiles
- Ascensumophobia – Fear of elevators
- Claustrophobia – Fear of confined spaces
- Maskaphobia – Fear of masks
- Necrophobia – Fear of corpses
- Paraskevidekatriaphobia – Fear of Friday the 13th, and of Friday
- Telephonophobia – Fear of answering the phone
- Zoophobia: fear of animals
Phobias in the literal sense of the term .
Facing the object of our fear triggers major anxiety , even a panic attack . The patient therefore begins to avoid situations that would force them to confront their phobia. Indeed, if there is no confrontation, there are no symptoms, and no distress.
- Achmophobia / Aichmophobia – Fear of needles and sharp objects (scissors, knives, syringes for example)
- Acrophobia – Fear of heights; often accompanied by vertigo
- Agoraphobia – Fear of public spaces and, by extension, of crowds; more generally, of spaces where escape is difficult (crowds, but also deserted places)
- Ecclesiophobia – Fear of churches
- Philophobia – Fear of falling in love or committing to a romantic relationship.
Obsessive fears.
Fears reside in the mind, and the brain endlessly ruminates on negative thoughts. This becomes burdensome and painful because nothing can reassure them or stop these thoughts. For example, a person suffering from cancer phobia will never be reassured by a medical examination proving their good health. They will continue to worry every day.
- Achievementphobia – Fear of success
- Apeirophobia – Fear of infinity
- Atelophobia – Fear of imperfection, of never being good enough
- Autophobia – Fear of loneliness
- Cancerphobia – Fear of cancer
- Cherophobia – Fear of joy
- Nosophobia – Fear of illness, of being sick
And then there are the "strange" phobias! No one can imagine that someone could be afraid of that!
- Abibliophobia: Fear of running out of books to read
- Aerophobia – Fear of air and wind
- Anthophobia – Fear of flowers
- Apopathophobia – Fear of going to the toilet
- Arachibutyrophobia – Fear of having peanut butter stuck to the roof of the mouth.
- Arithmophobia – Fear of numbers
- Bananaphobia – Fear of bananas
- Butyrophobia – Fear of butter.
- Calamophobia – Fear of feathers.
- Carpophobia – Fear of fruit
- Mythophobia – Fear of fairy tales and legends
- Nanopabulophobia – Fear of garden gnomes with wheelbarrows
- Selenophobia – Fear of the moon
- Siderophobia – Fear of stars.
And the least funny one…
- Pantophobia – Fear of everything
There are plenty more! For a complete and categorized list of other types of phobias, click here !
Why do we develop phobias ?
Clearly, the family environment and upbringing play a significant role. A parent with a phobia can pass on an emotional vulnerability to their child, predisposing them to phobias. They may even pass on the same phobias, such as ailurophobia, the fear of cats!
Simple phobias are often linked to traumatic childhood events, whether real or imagined. A phobia of dogs can develop in a child who has actually been bitten, but also in a child who has imagined being attacked by a dog.
Social phobia usually originates from a personal experience. However, it can also develop as a result of observing the behavior of others. For example, if someone witnesses an individual being humiliated or bullied by a group, this can trigger social phobia. Furthermore, it is often preceded by marked shyness during childhood.
Overcoming phobias
Someone who suffers daily from their phobia will eventually need help to regain a quality of life.
The most effective treatment for simple phobias appears to be cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With the help of a trained professional —general practitioner, psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist—you will gradually learn to confront the situations that trigger your phobia.
For a more in-depth treatment, hypnotherapy can even be considered if one is receptive to it.
Some situations will require a prescription to help cope with the frightening situation. For example, a doctor might prescribe an anxiolytic medication to help you board a plane! This type of medication quickly calms anxiety symptoms for the duration of the flight.
Other situations might require antidepressants. This type of medication is widely used to treat social phobia. This phobia affects not only an individual's personal life but also their professional life, and it can become a serious problem.
In addition to this therapy, relaxation, breathing and meditation techniques are recommended.
