[Reading Science] Is 'Phobia' a Disease, Not a Mockery?

It is said that if acrophobia is severe, one may feel fear even at the height of a chair, making it difficult to maintain daily life.
[Photo by YouTube screenshot]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The term 'Phobia' has been appearing frequently in everyday life for some time now. It means 'fear disorder,' but as people hear and use it often, the weight of the word seems to have lessened somewhat.

In conversations with coworkers or acquaintances, when someone says, "I have a phobia of OO," others respond lightly with, "I have a phobia of OO too." Among close friends, it is sometimes taken half-jokingly as, "It's okay, you won't die from that."

However, this 'phobia' is not something to be taken lightly or mocked. A simple rejection reaction or a general level of fear toward something is not classified as a phobia. Most people show some degree of aversion to certain objects or situations that cause disgust or fear. In other words, if this everyday aversion can be overcome by willpower, it is not considered a phobia.

Phobia patients exhibit more severe rejection reactions to specific objects, environments, items, or situations than generally expected. They show anxious responses immediately upon exposure to the stimulus and may experience panic attacks. In severe cases, they may make extreme choices to escape the situation.

Those who have observed acquaintances suffering from such phobias realize how foolish it is to mock or take phobias lightly. Phobia is a legitimate illness. Medically, a diagnosis of phobia is made when symptoms show rejection reactions severe enough to interfere with daily life.

There are various types of phobias. The most well-known are 'Acrophobia' and 'Claustrophobia.' Acrophobia is the fear of heights. Anyone with common sense fears heights because they understand what happens if they fall.

Acrophobia is classified when symptoms exceed the normal level of fear. In severe cases, people may feel such intense fear even at the height of stairs, flower beds, or even chairs that daily life becomes impossible.

'Claustrophobia' is the intense fear experienced in enclosed spaces such as elevators or airtight rooms.
[Photo by YouTube screen capture]

Claustrophobia is the intense fear experienced in confined spaces such as elevators or small rooms. It is often called 'closed-space phobia,' but 'claustrophobia' is the correct term. People with this condition find it difficult even to watch others enter narrow spaces. They reportedly feel terrified just by watching contortionist acts like the 'Tong Ajussi' often seen in magic shows.

There is also 'Agoraphobia,' which is the opposite concept of claustrophobia. It is the fear of wide-open spaces or crowded places. Agoraphobia is anxiety and fear related to situations where immediate escape is difficult. Those with severe symptoms reportedly refuse to leave their homes.

About two-thirds of agoraphobia patients also suffer from panic disorder. They experience agoraphobia in places where they have had panic attacks and tend to avoid similar locations.

Another well-known phobia is 'Trypanophobia,' the fear of needles and sharp objects. Also called 'seondan phobia,' the correct term is 'cheomdan phobia.' It involves fear of sharp and pointed objects such as knives, scissors, needles, and injections. In severe cases, even chopsticks can cause anxiety. Most cases develop from trauma caused by being pricked or cut by sharp objects.

Seeing photos of blue holes and other underwater terrains that suddenly deepen can induce 'thalassophobia,' the fear of the deep sea.
[Photo by YouTube screenshot]

Other phobias include 'Deep Sea Phobia,' where people fear the sea and avoid coastal areas or feel terror when seeing photos of deep-sea creatures or blue holes where the sea floor drops sharply; 'Coulrophobia,' the intense fear of clowns; and 'Call Phobia,' the fear of making or receiving phone calls due to fear of making verbal mistakes.

People with phobias should actively seek treatment rather than feel ashamed or hide their condition. Most phobias can be treated through counseling, shock therapy, or medication. Especially phobias caused by past memories can be effectively treated with psychotherapy. However, since the trigger can be reactivated by certain events, continuous caution is necessary.