If you are going to screw the fear, it’s best to learn a little bit about the top 10 fears. Here are some of the most common fears. Most other fears are actually variations of the top 10 fears. Whether it is fear of public speaking or fear of mascots/clowns, there are elements of the fears below. Phobias are upsetting feelings caused by out-of-control fears, both genuine and imagined. Here are the most common top 10 fears.
1. Arachnophobia – The fear of spiders
Nearly 30.5% of Arachnophobia sufferers (the excessive fear of spiders or other arachnids like scorpions) are living in the United States alone. It is one of the most common animal phobias around the world. The cause of the phobia is often evolutionary meaning that some species of spiders are deadly and it is a natural human response to survive. Arachnophobes however tend to go to extreme lengths to ensure that their surroundings are free from spiders, often causing themselves a great deal of embarrassment, which is something most phobics try hard to avoid.
2. Ophidiophobia – The fear of snakes
The fear of snakes or Ophidiophobia is the second most common zoophobia (right after the no. 1 phobia on this list) affecting nearly 1/3rd of the adult human population. Like the phobia mentioned below, the fear of snakes also has evolutionary roots. To an extent, the fear of venomous snakes is also essential for survival. Extreme Ophidiophobia can affect one’s life as one tends to avoid hiking, camping and related activities or might even become afraid of pet store snakes and other reptiles. Next up is the number one phobia of all time.
3. Acrophobia – The fear of heights
Acrophobia is an irrational fear of heights or the fear of falling (even when the person is not really that high up). It is a specific phobia that causes the sufferers to be highly agitated or in a state of panic which could interfere with his/her ability to climb down. In severe cases of Acrophobia, a panic attack might be triggered even when the sufferer is climbing up or down a chair. Nearly 10% of people in the United States are known to suffer from Acrophobia.
4. Agoraphobia – The fear of open or crowded spaces
Nearly 2 out of every 100 Americans suffers from Agoraphobia, the fear of open or crowded spaces. This is a debilitating condition which prevents the phobic from visiting malls, markets, theaters and other crowded areas as well as open grounds. The individual feels intense panic at the mere thought or sight of such a space (that s/he feels it will be difficult to escape from). Agoraphobia becomes a vicious circle where the sufferer feels afraid of experiencing a panic attack and these thoughts again lead to a panic attack. Limiting activities and avoidance behavior becomes a part of the phobic’s life. Depression is hence a common symptom of this phobia.
5. Mysophobia – The fear of germs
Mysophobia is the extreme fear of germs which is frequently identified with OCD. Numerous individuals experience the ill effects of both OCD just as Mysophobia, because of which they may enjoy over the top washing or hand washing. The unfortunate fear of germs causes the phobics to likewise fear sullying of nourishment or introduction to organic liquids from people around them. Mysophobia may prompt numerous inconveniences since the individual goes to outrageous lengths to keep away from a wide range of social circumstances. Detachment is a typical manifestation of this fear. The condition may likewise offer ascent to different fears, for example, Agoraphobia just as different nervousness issue.
6. Claustrophobia – The fear of small spaces
Nearly 5 to 7% of the world’s population is known to suffer from Claustrophobia – the fear of small or restricted spaces. This phobia is mainly related to the fear of suffocation or the fear of restriction. The phobia has been highly studied by experts and scientists, though the sad fact remains that only 2% of its sufferers seek treatment. Claustrophobia is often confused with Cleithrophobia which is the extreme fear of being trapped.
7. Flying (Aviophobia)
Another common fear is that of flying, which affects almost a third of the global population. This fear causes discomfort at the thought of taking a trip on an airplane, or any flying vehicle. Many of them choose to travel by land and feel safer traveling days on wheels instead of hours by air.
People who fear flying believe that their flight could crash or be hijacked causing them to vomit, be sick on the plane, or have panic attacks. Flying combines different types of phobias in one: fear of heights, claustrophobia, fear of water, and fear of strangers.
8. Strangers (Xenophobia)
Xenophobia is an intense fear of a person, group of people, or situations that are foreign. Symptoms include extreme anxiety, dread of anything associated with strangers, sweating, panic, nausea, shaking, and inability to articulate. This phobia can sometimes be tracked back to a traumatic event at an early age.
9. Blood/Needles (Trypanophobia)
This is an irrational fear of needles, pins, or injections. Just the idea of getting a shot can trigger anxiety for someone with Trypanophobia. Symptoms include feeling faint, passing out, nausea, panic attacks, and increased heart rate. Majority of people with Trypanophobia fear everything related to blood.
10. Darkness (Nyctophobia)
Nyctophobia is fear of darkness or night. This phobia is not from a fear of scary or paranormal activity in the darkness but just the darkness alone. This is a common phobia especially in children. Sufferers of Nyctophobia avoid complete darkness, need light at all times, and have extreme discomfort whenever they’re in dark places.
These tend to run the gambit of annoying to needing therapy. Now this site isn’t about therapy or curing you of one of the top 10 fears. It’s about doing what you want to do even in the face of fear. Chances are your fear of spiders isn’t going to hold you back in life. Fear of public speaking or fear of changing jobs might be. Let us know if you want to start taking the journey.