English Lessons

Everyone whether they know it or not, has some sort of fear of something.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, a phobia is an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation. In most cases, the phobia involves a sense of endangerment or a fear of harm. For example, those suffering from agoraphobia fear being trapped in an inescapable place or situation.

Types of Phobias

There are three types of phobias:
1. Social phobias—fear of social situations.
2. Agoraphobia—fear of being trapped in an inescapable place or situation.
3. Specific phobias—fear of a specific object (such as snakes).

There are four major types of specific phobias:
1. The natural environment—fear of lightening, water, storms, etc.
2. Animal—fear of snakes, rodents, spiders, etc.
3. Medical—fear of seeing blood, receiving injections, visiting a doctor, etc.
4. Situational—fear of bridges, leaving the home, driving, etc.


This Phobia list offers a glimpse of the many phobias that can have a serious impact on an individual's life.

Fear of darkness
Fear of heights
Fear of open spaces or crowds
Fear of injections
Fear of riding in a car/ accidents
Fear of men/women
Fear of thunder and lightening
Fear of imperfection
Fear of failure
Fear of being alone
Fear of marriage
Fear of speaking in public
Fear of blood
Fear of death or dead things
Fear of gaining weight
Fear of fire
Fear of strangers or foreigners
Fear of animals

Discussion Questions:

1． What do you think is the worst phobia on this list?
2． Do you have any phobias? If so, which one?
3． Do you think that everyone has phobias of something?
4． Why do think people have phobias?
5． What are the most common phobias in Korea?
6． What do you think is the best way to deal with a phobia? Get rid of it? Live with it?
7． Can you think of other phobias that are not on this list?
8． Name one positive aspect of having a phobia and one negative aspect.

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