Phobias

For two sessions we discussed the topic of Phobias, and have pondered such questions as, "What is a phobia?" "What are the most common phobias?" "Are there phobias that occur more often in younger children? Adults?" As a culminating lesson the students of TTO created their own "exam" on phobias. Below is a sample of their questions. Test your knowledge!

1. What does the word phobia mean?

2. What are the most common phobias?

3. Are phobias treatable?

4.  How do phobias arise?

5. What is glossophobia?

6. Is there a fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth?

7. What is the fear of spiders called?

8. What is zoophobia?

9. What are the common reactions to phobias?

10. Can alligators have phobias?

(Answers)

1. Phobia comes from the Greek word meaning "fear." It means the irrational fear of an object or circumstance.
2. Most common phobias are claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) and aviophobia (fear of flying).

3. Yes, phobias are treatable. Sometimes professional help is required.
4. Phobias are a learned response that often arise through trauma.
5. Glossophobia is fear of public speaking. It comes from the Greek meaning "tongue."
6. Yes, it's called arachibutyrophobia.
7. Arachnophobia
8. Fear of animals
9. Symptoms can range from intense anxiety, feeling of uneasiness, or a sense of foreboding, sweating, crying, or stomach upset.
10. Not that we know of.