What is the most common phobia in the world?

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asked Feb 15, 2022 in Mental Health by Stringfellow (1,230 points)
What is the most common phobia in the world?

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answered Feb 20, 2022 by QJesse44 (8,910 points)
The most common phobia in the world is Arachnophobia.

Arachnophobia is a fear of spiders, or arachnids.

Estimates put arachnophobia at affecting roughly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men.

Arachnophobia, otherwise known as spider phobia, is the intense fear of spiders and other arachnids.

Around the world, between 3% and 15% of individuals have been diagnosed with specific phobias, with the fear of animals and heights being the most prevalent.

Classified as a specific phobia, arachnophobia causes clinically significant distress that can impact an individual's quality of life.

When in contact with, or thinking about arachnids, individuals will likely feel fear and experience symptoms of anxiety almost immediately.

Common triggers include: Sight of a spider (in person or in pictures).

Sight of a spider web (in person or in pictures).

Thoughts/anticipation about spiders or spider webs.

Speaking about spiders or spider webs.

The best and only treatment for fear of spiders or arachnophobia involves therapy.

This could be regular talk therapy, group therapy, exposure therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy.

Exposure therapy is specifically designed for people who have phobias or are otherwise debilitated by fear.

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