Common Phobias: Extreme Fears that Keep You Paralyzed

A phobia is typically defined as an extreme unreasonable fear over an object, thing or circumstance that is not really very dangerous at all. People who have real phobias often cannot control their fears and may become momentarily paralyzed when confronted with what they are afraid of. It is estimated that more or less 10% of the American population suffer from phobias. Here are some of the most common phobias: Agoraphobia

This phobia is often defined as the fear of open spaces but there is more to it than this definition reveals. People with this phobia are really afraid of open spaces which they deem as potentially dangerous. They are afraid that something bad will happen to them in unfamiliar territory. Agoraphobic people are therefore also afraid of stepping out of places which they see as safe such as their homes or rooms.

Claustrophobia

This is the extreme fear of confined, cramped, enclosed or tight spaces. There is a wide definition of enclosed spaces. For a claustrophobic, it can be as tight as an elevator or a closet or as moderately wide as a room or an airplane. Other tight situations like places with a lot of people and heavy traffic may also scare claustrophobics. A person with this phobia would normally feel trapped with no way to escape.

Arachnophobia

This is the irrational fear of spiders. People with this condition cannot even endure looking at pictures of spiders. This is perhaps one of the most well known phobias. In fact, it is believed to be the top phobia that people suffer from. Incidentally, in popular culture, we are often confronted with the idea that spiders are scary creatures. They are often part of scary movies and are also popular figures in Halloween decorations and costumes.

Necrophobia

This is the fear of the dead, death or anything associated with these concepts. In extreme cases, this is more than just the fear of corpses or your own death. It may also involve being afraid of funerals, funeral parlors, caskets or even stuffed remains in a museum.

Brontophobia

There are different definitions for this phobia but it is commonly seen as a fear of thunder. Thunder however is connected to lighting, storms, rain and dark clouds. People with this phobia may therefore begin to experience anxiety attacks when they see even just the signs that are associated with thunder.

Acrophobia

This is the fear of heights. Of course, it is normal for anyone to feel some fear if they are on top of the tallest building on earth or are about to bungee jump from a high bridge. Those with acrophobia however can’t even endure minimally high positions or areas. Extreme sufferers may be afraid of climbing ladders or going up the floors of a building.

Carcinophobia

This is an illogical fear of getting sick with cancer. It is reasonable to assume that no one would really want to suffer from cancer but those with carcinophobia nurture an extreme fear for the disease. They may not want to encounter people who have the condition. They may also become very particular with their own body signs, interpreting some minor bodily complaint as a symptom of cancer. Some will even go to the extent of meticulously avoiding foods and situations which they think may cause cancer and obsessively ingesting what they think can prevent cancer.