Phobias
are very common in most people. Spiders, snakes, and heights are very common
among most people, but why are people afraid? Most scientists say that simple
phobias are developed during childhood. If a child is put in a stressful or
scary situation they are likely to develop a phobia. Simple phobias are more
likely to occur in early childhood. Simple phobias caused panic or anxiety that
will soon pass. (The link below is a list of all different kinds of simple
phobias.)
Ultimate Phobias http://www.fearof.net/
Unlike a simple phobia, a complex phobia, is something that is
developed during adulthood. Complex phobias are more detrimental to the person.
These phobias are known as social phobias. Scientists say that what causes
these phobias are a combination of genetics, brain chemistry and life
experiences. Neuroscientists have studied different parts of the brain, and
have found that certain parts of the brain store dangerous and deadly events
that a human has been through. When a person is put through this type of event
again the brain remembers it, and fear develops. Treatment for complex phobias
has not been discovered yet. This is because the brain tends to hold on to
these "bad" memories, and finding an exact cure is very difficult for
many doctors and scientists.
People
who develop complex phobias have a very difficult time attending social events,
like parties, functions, and weddings. They have a fear of being humiliated or
embarrassed in public. Most people who have complex phobias are likely to
develop depression due to isolation from the public. The most common complex
phobia is Agoraphobia. This is the fear of not being able to escape a
situation. Many people that have this phobia are afraid to go to anywhere in
public or any public travel. These people usually develop panic disorder.
Complex phobias are far more detrimental then simple phobias.
Caitlyn Cordaro (1)
I’ve always found the concept of phobias to be very interesting. I’d never known that complex phobias actually develop during adulthood and not something that is only developed from childhood on. These phobias are very detrimental as they interfere with a person’s life immensely. I would be interested in knowing more about the certain steps to treatment people take, or if there is just no cure.
ReplyDeleteYustina Kang (Group 2)
When people develop a complex phobia, it usually leads to a more serious disease. Diseases like depression and panic attacks happen very frequently due to isolation and fear of the public. Doctors will then tend to try to help anxiety and depression with medicine and therapy.
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn Cordaro (1)
It is hard to have Agoraphobia and stay away from people.It is also hard to have phobia and freak out when you see what you are fear off. I thought all phobias develop during childhood, so it is good to know that complex phobias develop during adulthood.
ReplyDeleteMohammed Saleh
I did not know the difference between simple and complex phobias until I read your article. It makes sense that most simple phobias are likely evolutionary relics (an ancestor scared of snakes has a higher likelihood of survival and procreation than an ancestor who has no aversion to snakes). I hypothesize that the development of complex phobias may also be an evolutionary relic, causing individuals to develop potentially evolutionarily favorable aversions to certain things they encounter as adults. Depending on the complex phobia, it may have allowed for more successful procreation in ancestors (in certain situations). In modern times, the development of complex phobias is unlikely to be favorable to procreation due to the structured and social environment modern humans live in.
ReplyDelete-Bradley Sarasin (Group 3)
This is a really interesting hypothesis that you have thought of, I never thought of it like that. I think that you made a great point that in modern times it isn't as likely to be procreation, but I do believe that in older civilizations that it could have been passed on from generation to generation.
DeleteCaitlyn Cordaro (1)
Interesting blog post! I wasn't aware that different levels of phobias exist.. and the amount of phobias that exist! My sister is beyond terrified of spiders, I always wondered if a fear that is deep enough inside you or that has always been around was built into your genes, as if to say your gene expression on a certain chromosome would determine if you had a certain type of phobia. It would be cool to see what we could do with science and healing phobias if that was how phobias developed.
ReplyDelete-Kelsey Morrison
This was so interesting to read about! There are so many phobias out there but I didn't know there were different classifications of them if they were developed during childhood or adulthood. It would be interesting to learn more about how someone could over come a phobia, possibly with therapy or other treatments.
ReplyDelete-Emily Mueller (Group 2)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that there are two forms of phobias, and that one is developed during childhood, meanwhile the other is developed during adulthood. I personally do not have any phobias, but certain things due cause me to have anxiety; but when is the line drawn? Though it is disrespectful to find humor in other people's distresses, but some phobias bewilder me. I was watching a show one time, and a woman was afraid of cotton balls.
ReplyDelete-Soffie Jobarteh