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phobia

noun

/ˈfoʊ bi ə/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of phobia

An extreme and irrational fear or aversion towards a specific object, situation, or activity.
"The phobia of enclosed spaces made it impossible for her to ride in elevators."

Detailed meaning of phobia

It is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an overwhelming and persistent fear that goes beyond normal apprehension. Phobias can be triggered by a wide range of stimuli, such as animals, heights, enclosed spaces, public speaking, or flying, to name a few. Individuals with phobias experience intense anxiety, panic attacks, and an overwhelming desire to avoid the feared object or situation. The fear associated with a phobia is often disproportionate to the actual danger posed by the trigger. Phobias can significantly impact a person's daily life, limiting their activities, and causing distress. Treatment for phobias often involves various therapeutic approaches, including exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral techniques, aimed at gradually reducing the fear response and helping individuals regain control over their lives.

Example sentences containing phobia

1. She had a crippling phobia of flying, making travel a daunting task.
2. The therapist helped him overcome his social phobia through gradual exposure.
3. My sister has a severe phobia of needles and avoids medical procedures whenever possible.
4. The mere thought of public speaking triggered intense phobia-related anxiety in him.
5. His acrophobia prevented him from enjoying breathtaking views from tall buildings or mountains.
6. The fear of snakes, known as ophidiophobia, is one of the most common phobias.

History and etymology of phobia

The noun 'phobia' has its etymological roots in ancient Greek. It is derived from the Greek word 'phobos,' which means 'fear' or 'terror.' In ancient Greek mythology, Phobos was also the name of the god of fear and panic. When combined with the suffix '-ia,' which is used to form nouns denoting a condition or state, 'phobia' literally means 'a state of fear' or 'fearfulness.' In its modern usage, a phobia refers to an extreme and irrational fear or aversion towards a specific object, situation, or activity. The term reflects the profound and often debilitating anxiety that individuals may experience when confronted with their irrational fears, highlighting the enduring connection between language and the human experience of fear and anxiety.

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Further usage examples of phobia

1. The horror movie triggered her coulrophobia, an extreme fear of clowns.
2. His claustrophobia kicked in when he entered the crowded subway during rush hour.
3. A severe phobia of germs led her to compulsively wash her hands dozens of times a day.
4. She sought therapy to overcome her phobia of driving after a traumatic car accident.
5. The phobia of thunderstorms made him seek refuge in a windowless room during a storm.
6. The phobia of heights made her heart race whenever she approached a tall building.
7. His entomophobia caused him to shriek and jump at the sight of a harmless butterfly.
8. Her arachnophobia made her shudder at the sight of spiders.
9. Claustrophobia made crowded elevators unbearable for him.
10. His aquaphobia prevented him from learning to swim.
11. The fear of flying, aviophobia, grounded her travel plans.
12. Social phobia left her anxious in large social gatherings.
13. His acrophobia kept him far away from tall buildings.
14. Canine phobia made her uneasy around dogs.
15. The therapist helped him conquer his agoraphobia.
16. Her phobia of public speaking hindered her career.
17. A fear of heights, or acrophobia, is quite common.
18. His trypophobia made him uneasy around clusters of holes.
19. She sought treatment for her mysophobia, or fear of germs.
20. His phobia of thunderstorms led to sleepless nights.
21. The child's arithmophobia made math class a nightmare.
22. The fear of clowns, coulrophobia, affected her childhood.
23. His phobia of needles made medical appointments stressful.
24. Conquering her phobia of flying was a personal triumph.
25. The therapy session addressed her emetophobia, or fear of vomiting.
26. Her photophobia required sunglasses even on cloudy days.
27. A fear of snakes, or ophidiophobia, is quite common.