Phobias: The rationale behind irrational fears | Dean Burnett

Phobias are very common, with many people admitting to being irrationally afraid of something. But where does this fear come from, and what can we do about it?Recently, this section featured an article about the tarantulaTyphochlaena costae. While the piece was very interesting, this was likely lost on some readers, as it's difficult to focus on details while distracted by the sound of your own screaming.Arachnophobia is one of the more well-known phobias and can be very potent. Searching the science section for some lunchtime reading is not the sort of activity that typically includes spiders, so to be suddenly confronted, apropos of nothing, by an image of a humungous tarantula probably caught many unawares. How many tablets/phones/laptops were ruined due to being hurled across the room in a panic?Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Psychology Medical research Neuroscience Society Life and style Health Mental health & wellbeing Source Type: news