All of the above situations are phobias, which are clinically defined as unreasonable fear and overwhelming dread of a situation, object or thing. Phobias do not pose a real threat but do provoke extreme anxiety and avoidance that can affect your life in negative ways.
All of us have phobias of some type or another. Most are minor and don't require psychological treatment. Things like fears of snakes don’t really matter in an urban setting, where the chances of encountering a reptile are pretty much nil or having to take the staircase rather than endure an elevator’s confinement.
But there are some things that can be debilitating to your social and professional lives, and these are matters that must be taken seriously.
There are millions of people who have phobias. To cite one example, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America reported that 15 million Americans suffered social anxiety disorders, with slightly more than one-third of that group having them for a decade or longer.
Three Types of Phobias
There are three main categories of phobias:
Specific – These are phobias that focus on a single object or situation that is way beyond a little trepidation. They include such things as a fear of certain animals (dogs are a big one); situations (flying is a common worry); and incidents (crowded rooms are often concerning). Many people are phobic about more than one thing.