Everyone has a fear of something and would rather not come across it or not be caught in certain types of situations. Phobias are different to general fears because of the amount of distress experienced, with the person avoiding the feared object or situation, which may cause disruptions to home, work, school, or social life. Phobias are considered a type of anxiety disorder.
Global surveys show that 7.4% of the general population experience a specific phobia.
There are many different phobias -common phobias include snakes, spiders, flying, heights, blood, elevators, fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), social situations (social phobia). Phobias can be associated with panic attacks.