Most of us have something we’d rather avoid, whether it’s spiders, heights or the dentist’s chair. A phobia is more than a dislike. It’s an intense fear that’s out of proportion to the actual danger, lasts six months or more, and leads you to avoid the thing you fear, or to get through it with a lot of distress.
Phobias are common. A World Health Organization survey across 22 countries found that about 1 in 14 people (7.4%) have a specific phobia at some point in their life. Most phobias start in childhood, at a median age of 8. Yet fewer than 1 in 4 people with a phobia get any treatment.
Common phobias and what they mean
| Name | Fear of | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Nyctophobia | The dark or night-time | Fear of the dark in children |
| Trypanophobia | Needles and injections | Adults · Children |
| Astraphobia | Thunder and lightning | Fear of storms in children |
| Acrophobia | Heights | Adults · Children |
| Aviophobia | Flying | Fear of flying |
| Emetophobia | Vomiting, or seeing others vomit | Adults · Children |
| Iatrophobia | Doctors and medical procedures | Adults · Children |
| Aquaphobia | Water | Fear of water in children |
| Arachnophobia | Spiders (often insects too) | Adults · Children |
| Cynophobia | Dogs | Fear of dogs in children |
| Dentophobia | The dentist | Fear of the dentist in children |
| Claustrophobia | Small or enclosed spaces | Claustrophobia |
You don’t need to know the name of your fear to get help. Psychologists group phobias into five types: animals (spiders, dogs), the natural environment (heights, storms, water), blood, injections and injury, situations (flying, lifts, enclosed spaces), and “other” (vomiting, choking, loud noises).
Why phobias stick around
A phobia often starts with a frightening experience, seeing someone else’s fear, or simply hearing scary information. But avoidance is what keeps it going. Every time you avoid the feared thing, you feel instant relief. Your brain learns “that was dangerous, and avoiding it kept me safe”, so the fear grows. You never get the chance to learn that you can cope.
Signs a phobia is worth getting help for
- You avoid places, events or health care because of the fear (for example, skipping blood tests or vaccinations).
- The fear is starting to limit your work, travel or family life.
- You plan your day around the possibility of meeting the feared thing.
- Your child’s fear is stopping them doing things other children their age do, or causing big meltdowns.
- With needles or blood, you’ve fainted or come close to it.
What treatment involves
The main treatment for phobias is exposure therapy, part of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). With your psychologist you build a “fear ladder”, starting with steps that feel manageable, such as looking at a picture, and gradually working up to the real thing. You stay with each step until the fear starts to settle, and your brain learns that the danger was smaller than it felt.
It’s always done at your pace and with your agreement. Nothing is sprung on you. Some phobias can be treated in a few sessions, and some specific phobias can be treated in one longer, carefully planned session. For people who faint at the sight of blood or needles, there’s a specific skill called applied tension, which helps keep your blood pressure from dropping.
For children, parents are part of treatment. You learn how to encourage brave steps without forcing them, and how to respond to fear in ways that build confidence.
Phobia treatment at MindBox Psychology
Our clinical psychologists in St Leonards treat phobias in children, adolescents and adults. Sessions are face-to-face, which suits exposure work, and some steps can also be practised through online counselling anywhere in Australia. You don’t need a referral to book. Medicare rebates may be available with a referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP or paediatrician. Private health funds and self-managed NDIS may also cover some costs.
