Common specific phobias concern fears of spiders, arachnophobia, dogs cynophobia and other animals Zoophobia, flying aivophobia, Blood hemophobia the dentist odontiatophobia, fear of the dark nyctophobia and of course claustrophobia fear of confined spaces to name but a few. Most sufferers realise that their fears are irrational or exaggerated yet they are unable to control such fears regardless of this insight.

I recall an article in the newspaper many years ago reporting the sad circumstance of a man living alone who one day shot himself. He was a sufferer of arachnophobia and could cope no longer: his home apparently for reasons that I now cannot recall was plagued by spiders, overwhelmed by fear he could no longer tolerate his situation and ended his life. Yes phobic fear can reach such high levels of intensity however phobias are highly treatable and no one should sufferer from this debilitating and inhibiting anxiety disorder.

Steve is a sufferer of Brontophobia ( fear of thunder) read his story:

Sufferers Stories: Steve Brontophobia