Health Tips > Psychological Disorder

Phobia

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Jannatul Ferdous:
Mysophobia – The fear of germs

Mysophobia is the excessive fear of germs which is often closely related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Many people suffer from both OCD as well as Mysophobia, as a result of which they might indulge in excessive bathing or hand washing. The unhealthy fear of germs causes the phobics to also fear contamination of food or exposure to bodily fluids from those around them. Mysophobia might lead to many complications since the person goes to extreme lengths to avoid all kinds of social situations. Isolation is a common symptom of this phobia. The condition might also give rise to other phobias such as Agoraphobia as well as various anxiety disorders.

Jannatul Ferdous:
Claustrophobia – The fear of small spaces

Nearly 5 to 7% of the world’s population is known to suffer from Claustrophobia– the fear of small or restricted spaces. This phobia is mainly related to the fear of suffocation or the fear of restriction. The phobia has been highly studied by experts and scientists, though the sad fact remains that only 2% of its sufferers seek treatment. Claustrophobia is often confused with Cleithrophobia which is the extreme fear of being trapped.

Jannatul Ferdous:
Agoraphobia – The fear of open or crowded spaces

Nearly 2 out of every 100 Americans suffers from Agoraphobia, the fear of open or crowded spaces. This is a debilitating condition which prevents the phobic from visiting malls, markets, theaters and other crowded areas as well as open grounds. The individual feels intense panic at the mere thought or sight of such a space (that s/he feels it will be difficult to escape from). Agoraphobia becomes a vicious circle where the sufferer feels afraid of experiencing a panic attack and these thoughts again lead to a panic attack. Limiting activities and avoidance behavior becomes a part of the phobic’s life. Depression is hence a common symptom of this phobia.

Jannatul Ferdous:
Acrophobia – The fear of heights

Acrophobia is an irrational fear of heights or the fear of falling (even when the person is not really that high up). It is a specific phobia that causes the sufferers to be highly agitated or in a state of panic which could interfere with his/her ability to climb down. In severe cases of Acrophobia, a panic attack might be triggered even when the sufferer is climbing up or down a chair. Nearly 10% of people in the United States are known to suffer from Acrophobia.

Jannatul Ferdous:
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.
Some theories suggest there is a genetic link to specific phobias as a kind of dormant survival mechanism.

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