The Oxford English Dictionary defines a phobia as "an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something".

That "something" could be a thing, a group of things, a group of people, a place or a situation.

These fears are often inexplicable and, in extreme cases, can make it incredibly difficult for the sufferer to enjoy their life for fear that they will encounter then object of their phobia.

Phobias can be classified into three groups:

-Social phobias: an avoidance of social situations as a result of extreme shyness and may be associated with depression.

-Agoraphobia: Fear of being alone in public or open spaces in a crowd with no easy escape.

-Specific (isolated) phobias: Includes many types of intense fear reactions. These include:
~ Fear of animals (e.g. spiders or snakes)
~ Environmental fears (e.g. heights or water)
~ Situational fears (e.g. enclosed spaces elevators)
~ Fear of injury (of potentially dangerous situations-either real or imagined such as fear of flying)
~ Other phobias (e.g. fear of loud noises)

Phobias tend to develop between the ages of 4 and 8 years, though for some social phobias the age of onset is usually in the early to mid teens.

People with phobias will have uncontrollable reactions of panic or dread with rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, and an overwhelming desire to flee.

There are supposedly only two fears you are born with: fear of falling and fear of loud noises. These fears are pre-programmed as a survival mechanism.

Social and specific appear to run in families providing evidence of a possible genetic connection.

Most adult phobics are aware that their fear is excessive but feel incapable of freeing themselves.

Phobias are treatable. Steps can be taken to cure the sufferer through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and immersion therapy.

Phobias can be triggered by traumatic events and are more common in females.

People with social phobias often feel that small mistakes as far more exaggerated than it is in reality.