Top Ten Most Common Phobias Around the World

Kei Quinal

Reading — Intermediate Level
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Activity

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There are many things people are fearful of, but here are the ten most common phobias:

1.) Social phobias- Social phobias are the most common type of fear.
They are considered an anxiety disorder and include excessive self-consciousness in social situations. Some people can fear being judged so much they avoid specific situations, like eating in front of others.
2.) Agoraphobia: fear of open spaces
While it is generally understood to be a fear of open spaces, agoraphobia is a much more complex fear. It is a serious anxiety disorder than can trap people in their homes or make leading a normal life next to impossible.
3.) Acrophobia: fear of heights
Some people fear heights so badly the escalators at the local shopping centre give them vertigo. Vertigo is different to the phobia and is the sense of dizziness people can develop.
4.) Pteromerhanophobia: fear of flying
With all the media coverage of air disasters it is understandable many fear being in a plane crash and hence have a fear of flying.
5.) Claustrophobia: fear of enclosed spaces
Sometimes the fear of flying is actually more closely linked to a fear of enclosed spaces. People with this fear say they feel like the walls are closing on them.
6.) Entomophobia: fear of insects
They are small, they crawl and they often bite, so it is understandable why many people do not like spiders and insects.
7.) Ophidiophobia: fear of snakes
Indiana Jones famously quipped "I hate snakes", and he is not alone. A fear of all things long and venomous is common to many. The great thing about snakes is that if you leave them alone they will leave you alone.
8.) Cynophobia: fear of dogs
A fear of dogs is a common phobia, particularly among children and door-to-door sales agents. The fear can be exacerbated by a negative experience with an animal and can be one of the most difficult phobias to conquer given canines can sense people's fear.
9.)Astraphobia: fear of storms
It is understandable why the booming sound of thunder can send people's hearts racing and a fear of storms is common.
10.) Trypanophobia: fear of needles
Having a sharp piece of metal stuck in your arm is always an unpleasant thought and many people develop a strong aversion to needles.
Source: ABC News
  1. Social Phobia is the first on the list because most people are afraid of   .

  2. If left untreated,   can turn into a serious mental disorder.

  3. Which of the following phobias can develop into a sense of dizziness?

  4.   and   are somehow similar since both phobias have to do with the fear of crawling and venomous creatures.

  5. The fear of flying is mostly influenced by   .

  6. Why is Cynophobia the most difficult phobia to conquer?

  7.   is the opposite of Agoraphobia.

Discussion

Practice your writing skills by discussing the questions below

  1. What is your biggest fear? Why?

  2. Have you overcome any of your fears?

  3. If yes, how did you overcome that fear?

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