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TOP 10 PHOBIAS WEB SITES »
Top 10 best phobias web sites rated by the LoveToKnow
editors.
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Top 10 List how we choose |
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Arachnophobia
A fear of spiders is one of the most common fears. Although most people have
a very mild form of this phobia and simply feel uncomfortable around
spiders, other people have an intense, paralyzing fear. Historically,
Arachnophobia dates back to Biblical times when areas in Abyssinia were
abandoned by people because of a "plague of spiders" that had fallen on
those towns. Treatment includes giving the arachnophobe
knowledge about spiders as a way to ease unfounded fears. |
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Social Phobia
Social phobias can take on many different forms but tend to appear as some
type of anxiety disorder. As with most phobias, the fear can be slight or so
intense that it keeps the person from functioning in everyday life.
Social phobias can be things like fear of public places, fear that
people are watching, fear of germs and fear of talking to others. Medication
helps some people with social anxiety, but most are helped with behavior
group therapy. |
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Aerophobia
Aero means a fear of being in something that flies such as an airplane or
helicopter. This fear can limit a person's social and career life because
the aerophobic refuses to fly on business or even to visit family and
friends. People with Aerophobia who are forced to fly can have
panic attacks or even become violently ill to the point of vomiting.
Although medications are available, treatments such as group therapy and
systematic desensitization seem to be most effective in helping overcome a
fear of flying. |
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Agoraphobia
This unusual fear is actually much more common than might be expected.
Agoraphobia is the fear of not being able to get out quickly or get help.
This can include fear of places that are crowded, bridges or even being
alone in a secluded location. Agoraphobics typically do not feel safe during
any type of public gathering, even large family get togethers. Treatment can
be challenging, but experts at the Mayo Clinic recommend facing the fear and
some cognitive group therapies for this and many
other phobias. |
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Claustrophobia
This is a common fear and is the fear of enclosed spaces. Claustrophobia is
thought to be brought on by a traumatic childhood moment (such as being
locked in a closet) or even something that happens as an adult that is
traumatic for the individual, such as being trapped on an elevator. Symptoms
are quite frightening for the individual and can include sweating, increased
heart rate, hyperventilating and even fainting. Claustrophobia cannot be
cured, but can be reduced with
treatments like behavioral therapy, drugs and exposure therapy. |
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Acrophobia
Acrophobics are afraid of heights. It is among the most common phobias. Like
many phobias, there are degrees of Acrophobia. Some people have a very mild
fear of heights that simply makes them a bit nervous when in tall buildings.
However, others have an intense paralyzing fear of heights that can result
in a panic attack.
Overcoming a fear of heights can be one of the hardest phobias to
escape. Many experts recommend facing your fear. You may need to do this in
gradual stages, so seek the advice of a mental health care professional. |
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Emetophobia
Another common phobia, people with Emetophobia have a fear of vomit. The
fear might be that they will vomit in public, see someone else vomit or even
a fear about any aspect of vomiting. There hasn't been a lot of research
conducted on Emetophobes, but this site offers success stories from others
who've dealt with this anxiety. You'll also find questions and answers about
the topic.
Anorexia can sometimes be brought on by a fear of vomiting. If you don't
eat, you don't have the urge to vomit. |
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Carcinophobia
Carcinophobics have a fear of cancers or catching cancer. Someone with this
fear might run to the doctor for any tiny symptom that could in any way be
related to cancer and ask for multiple tests to rule out the possibility of
the disease. Most people with Carcinophobia believe that you can catch
cancer from simply being around someone else who has the disease.
Treatments for this fear include Erickson hypnotherapy, anxiety relief
drugs and counseling. |
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Brontophobia
Brontophobia is often called Astraphobia and is a fear of thunder and
lightning. People with this fear may become completely paralyzed during
thunder storms. This fear has some unique symptoms in addition to the
typical anxiety, sweating, shaking and feelings of fear. People who are
scared of thunder storms may try to find extra shelter in addition to the
indoors by hiding under covers, a bed or table or inside a closet. This fear
is often seen in children, but people can develop Brontophobia at any age.
Treatment options vary widely and can include counseling, hypnosis, group
therapy and even
Neuro-Linguistic Programming through hypnosis. |
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Necrophobia
Necrophobia is a fear of death or of dying. Almost everyone has some level
of fear over the thought of the end of their existence, but for some it is
more intense than others. The fear can become so intense for some that they
avoid any situation that might by the slightest possibility lead to danger,
such as riding in a car or an airplane.
Treatment theories abound and include traditional methods such as group
therapy, medication and hypnosis. However, some counselors believe simply
being prepared by living life to the fullest can help ease this fear. There
are also
Biblical studies to help people overcome their fear of dying. |
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