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 natura

The subjective aspect of a phobic response is experienced by the person as an alarming feeling of intense fear, tension or full panic, and is expressed in a variety of ways (Rachman 1). For example, some patients feel like they are dying, suffocating, or even like they are going to faint or collapse.

Social phobia is the third largest medical problem in the world. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, (NIMH), social phobia is "a disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self -consciousness in social situations." Social phobia is defined "as people intensely afraid of any social or performance situation in which they might embarrass or humiliate themselves in front of others - where they might shake, blush, sweat, or in some other way appear clumsy, foolish, or incompetent" (Wood 504). People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being scrutinized by others, or of being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. People with a social phobia start to avoid social situations because anxiety levels become so high that they often don't want to leave their home. This illness causes people to avoid making contact with other individuals, having close relationships, and hurt opportunities to advance in their careers. There are many physical symptoms which accompany social phobia. They include: blushing, profuse sweating, trembling and other symptoms of anxiety, including difficulty talking and nausea or other stomach discomforts. As people with social phobia worry about experiencing the symptoms, the greater the chance they will experience the symptoms.

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.

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).

Children are less likely to develop fears when they are in the company of a trusted and reassuring adult than when they are alone. Also,

Some common words found in the essay are:
Phobias Phobias, Prozac Zoloft, Nature Control, World Psychology, Health NIMH, Professor Wolpe, Nancy Smith, NIMH Researchers, social phobia, Doctors PET, panic attacks, people social, According Rachman, phobic reactions, simple phobias, treat phobias, smith 1, phobias phobias, neutral stimuli, people social phobia, children develop fears, phobia social phobia, produce phobic reactions, phobias fear, develop phobic qualities,
Approximate Word count = 2354
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)