Fear of Driving

This is a phobia that results in a persistent and intense fear of driving or riding in a vehicle. It is characterized by significant distress at the prospect of driving, as well as fear-based efforts to avoid driving. These fears may interfere with the one’s lifestyle and quality of life.

Some people experience distress or fear while being a passenger in a car, while others fear driving in specific situations. Such situations may include: driving over a bridge; through a tunnel, at night, at high speeds, changing lanes, or merging, or generally because they fear something negative will happen.

Fear of Flying

Fear of getting on a plane can be a heritage from childhood or it can emerge from adulthood because of activating factors. Many people experience some anxiety when thinking about flying, are about to board a plane, or while flying. The crowded space, turbulence, and sensations of taking off and landing can be unpleasant.

Statistics suggest that air travel is safer than traveling by other means including car and train. However, some people experience an extreme sense of fear or panic and thus avoid flying altogether. Whether or not your fear of flying has developed into a phobia, it can have serious effects on your quality of life.

Fear of Public Speaking

Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. Nervousness or anxiety in certain situations is normal. Public speaking can manifest as slight nervousness or as paralyzing fear and panic. This fear may lead to avoiding public speaking situations altogether. Or the fear may cause the speaker to suffer shaking hands and a quavering voice. Its symptoms can vary from physiological changes, mental disruptions, and detrimental speech performance.

Unfortunately, we need to be reasonably proficient at public speaking to communicate our ideas effectively and lead teams. Thus, speech anxiety may cause one to lose out on openings.

Fear of Needles

This phobia is the extreme fear of medical procedures involving injections or hypodermic needles. The fear can prevent people from seeking out medical care, visiting the dentist, following prescribed treatments, and obtaining necessary lab work.

This fear may significantly interfere with a person’s quality of life. The symptoms may be so intense that they can be debilitating. Symptoms may be present when a person sees needles or is told they will have to undergo a procedure that involves needles.

Children tend to be afraid of needles because of the unusual sensation of their skin being pricked by a sharp object. Adults generally can tolerate needles better.