Phobias

The greek word phobos,  literally translated as ‘fear’ or ‘aversion’, gives rise to the modern English word ‘Phobia’, which when put together with a (often Latin) prefix, can give the medical terms of certain conditions which may manifest themselves as reactions of irrational fear. They are variable, and not everyone will react the same way to the same stressor. There is an infinite number of phobias known to mankind, and new ones are constantly being named and discovered. During quarantine, some of these phobias may have been heightened due to drastic changes in everyone’s lifestyle. Examples of a few of these are:

1. Agoraphobia- Fear of public and open spaces
2. Autophobia- Fear of being alone
3. Nosophobia- Fear of catching a disease
4. Nosocomephobia- fear of hospitals
5. Claustrophobia- Fear of closed spaces
6. Anthropophobia- Fear of people or society
7. Trypanophobia- Fear of needles

This series of articles will provide information on these phobias, along with specific treatments and myth-busting.

At the end of it all, these phobias are ultimately healable. Qualified professionals exist to help people suffering from such conditions, and if ever you feel that such a phobia is affecting your life, many therapy methods are available for you.