There are three kinds of phobias: simple phobia, social phobia, and panic attacks. Simple phobias, also called specific phobias, are fears of a specific thing, such as spiders or being in a closed place. Most simple phobias develop during childhood and eventually disappear. Specific phobia is a marked fear of a specific object or situation. It is a category for any phobias other than agoraphobia and social phobia. The categories of specific phobias are 1. situational phobias such as: fear of elevators, airplanes, enclosed places, public transportation, tunnels, or bridges; 2. fear of the natural e

Panic attacks are the third kind of phobia. They can change the quality of a person's life. Someone with a phobia this bad may be shopping at the supermarket and suddenly experience dizziness and a feeling of being out of control. At that moment, the person experiences a fear of dying, with no safe place to go. When this happens more than once, the person might think they are going crazy. Someone with panic attacks soon won't leave the house because of fear of a panic attack happening outside the house. Soon, depression sets in.

One of the most common phobias is claustrophobia, which is defined as "an abnormal fear of confined places" ("Oxford" 268). An estimated five million Americans, two thirds of them women, suffer from this anxiety disorder. Claustrophobia is often characterized as "feeling trapped" (Smith 1). A claustrophobe feels uncontrollable panic at the thought of taking an elevator, flying in an airplane, riding an amusement park ride, or sitting in a crowded theater. They feel an unreasoning fear that far exceeds the real risks. Often, they develop symptoms to match like: shortness of breath, constriction of the chest, palpitations, trembling, nausea, and feeling of probable doom. People with claustrophobia, try to avoid any place where they could become trapped. Only a small percentage of claustrophobic's seek treatment (Smith 1).

Social phobias are fears of being in situations where your activities can be watched and judged by others. People with social phobias try to avoid social functions at all costs and find excuses not to go to parties or out on dates. This avoidance is the difference between having a social phobia and simply just being shy.

Researchers say social phobia may be caused by a small structure in the brain called the amygdala. The amygdala is a central site in the brain that controls fear responses. Animal studies are adding to the evidence that suggests social phobia can be inherited. The NIMH recently identified the site of a gene in mice that affects learned fearfulness. Scientists believe that the sensitivity due to social phobia may be physiologically, there might be a biochemical basis for the disorder. The World of Psychology book states that "the neurotransmitter serotonin plays a important role in anxiety attacks." A process called observational learning or social modeling is when a person with social phobia acquires their fear from observing the behavior and consequences of others. Lowered self- esteem, depression, and even suicide attempt are all consequences of a social phobia.

Phobias may be acquired through observational learning, as well. For example, children who hear their parents talking about frightening experience with the dentist, with bugs or thunder storms may develop similar fears themselves. Frightening experiences set the stage for phobias, yet not all phobias recall the experience producing the phobia. For example, if a person was humiliated by performing in front of others, they may develop a social phobia.

Social phobia often runs in families and may be accompanied by depression or alcoholism. The disorder typically begins in childhood or early adolescence and rarely develops after age 25. Social phobia occurs in women twice as often as in men although a higher portion of men seek help for this particular disorder, according to the NIMH.

Social phobia is the third largest medical problem in the world. According to the Natio

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