Phobia List - Your Online Source for Information on Phobias
This list of phobias represents the most common of these irrational fears that combine to be the most common form of mental illness found in the United States. A phobia is basically an unreasonable fear of something that is generally thought to be harmless. There are many different named phobias, but this list of phobias focuses on those we most frequently hear about.
Achluophobia may be most common among children, and to them it certainly does not seem irrational to be afraid of the dark.
Acrophobia is another one we hear a lot about. This is the fear of heights.
Agoraphobia is probably the most serious problem on this list of phobias. It is the fear of open and public spaces or the fear of being in crowds. An agoraphobic person can be so severely stricken that they do not step foot out of their house for days, weeks or even years at a time.
Aichmophobia is the fear of needles, and should not be confused with Trypanophobia which is the fear of injections.
Arachnophobia is one we have all heard about. It is the fear of spiders, and it is found more often in women than men.
Astraphobia is yet one more phobia we are aware of but have probably never heard the official name. And to many, the fear of thunder and lightning doesn't seem irrational during a major electrical storm.
Atychiphobia is an overwhelming and debilitating fear of failure.
Claustrophobia is probably the most common on the whole list of phobias. This is the fear of enclosed spaces, and sufferers will do their best to avoid elevators, small confined rooms and even airplanes.
Coulrophobia is somewhat creepy, if understandable: the fear of clowns.
Cynophobia, or the fear of dogs, is one phobia that usually stems from a personal experience like being attacked or bitten by a dog as a child.
Entomophobia goes beyond just the fear of spiders and expands to a fear of all insects. This is also known as Insectophobia.
Glossophobia is something that almost everyone has a touch of. Some people say they fear public speaking even more than death itself.
Lilapsophobia is the fear of hurricanes and tornadoes and would be considered irrational in someone who has little chance of being caught in either one.
Mysophobia is the fear of bacteria and germs. This can be extremely debilitating and sometimes contributes to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Ophidiophobia, or the fear of snakes, is another on the list of phobias that can be influenced by personal experience or cultural factors.
Pteromerhanophobia is the fear of flying. Behavioral therapists often treat this phobia with exposure therapy that is designed to guide them out of their fear and onto a plane.
Social Phobia is an irrational fear of all types of social situations. This can include fear of being judged by others, eating in front of people, public embarrassment and any type of social interaction. Sufferers often cut themselves off entirely from any type of social activity.