Top 5 Phobias of Americans

The Mayo Clinic states phobias are unreasonable fears that become overwhelming and often cause severe panic attacks or anxiety even though these fears pose limited, or no, danger. Phobias can cause debilitating psychological anxiety or physical ailments, which may limit the daily functions of individuals in social, school or work environments. The American Psychiatric Association lists the most common types of phobias within Americans.

Agoraphobia

• Agoraphobia is a phobia of being found in a situation where there is no easy way to escape. According to Merck, agoraphobia means "fear of the marketplace," and often limits or hinders a person's ability to visit places where large groups of people congregate, such as movie theaters, airplanes or malls. Exposure treatment, which is a form of behavior therapy that places patients in a situation directly related to their phobia, is the most effective way to battle this phobia. According to Merck, 90 percent of patients who regularly engage in this form of therapy find their symptoms are reduced.

Claustrophobia

• Claustrophobia is the fear of small or enclosed spaces. Those suffering from this phobia often feel trapped or unable to easily exit a situation, which causes a physical and emotion response. Symptoms of claustrophobia include rapid heart beat, fainting, nausea, feelings of terror and hyperventilation. Other symptoms include compulsively searching for exits in a room and avoiding closed-in spaces such as subways, elevators or small rooms, according to the New York University Langone Medical Center. Treatment for this phobia may include the practice of relaxation techniques during a phobia attack or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Some doctors place patients with claustrophobia on anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication to help reduce physical symptoms in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Acrophobia

• Acrophobia is an extreme fear of heights. This phobia is categorized within the Specific Phobias list by the American Psychiatric Association. Those suffering with acrophobia experience panic attacks and other physical or emotional symptoms when found in high places such as stairways, balconies or roller coasters. The danger of this symptom is a sufferer may experience a severe panic attack, causing them to become too agitated to be safely removed from the situation. Treatment for acrophobia is often the same as the other phobias within the Specific Phobias list, which includes a combination of psychotherapy and medication; however, according to Temple University, immersive photography can be used as a form of exposure therapy. Immersive photography places a patient suffering with acrophobia in a room where a digital photograph is stretched 360 degrees around the patient. This photograph normally is a view from atop a skyscraper, the top of a dam or at the top of a roller coaster. The patient is then able to safely face his phobia without the dangers of being in the actual location.

Social Phobia

• Social phobia is the fear of being watched by one or more persons while performing a common or not-so-common function. Those suffering with social phobia may experience moments of panic or anxiety by simply ordering a meal, writing a check or eating in front of other people. The American Psychiatric Association states the most common form of social phobia is public speaking as well as interpersonal phobias, which limit the patient's personal interaction with others. If a social phobia goes untreated, the American Psychiatric Association states the phobia can last throughout a patient's life. Treatment options for social phobia include cognitive behavioral therapy as well as anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications.

Animal Phobias

• Animal phobias are also categorized within the Specific Phobias list by the American Psychiatric Association. Animal phobias can be limited to a specific type of animal such as snakes, insects or horses; however, this type of phobia can include a wide spectrum of animals. Symptoms of an animal phobia are similar to that of any other phobia, which include hyperventilating, panic attacks, sensations of doom or extreme fear. Treatment for animal phobias often includes exposure therapy, where a therapist places a patient within direct contact with the animal in question.