• Question: why do we have phobias but other people don't have the phobias.

    Asked by MooMoo2510 to Carolyn, Peter, Richard, Sara, Siana on 17 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Carolyn Nielsen

      Carolyn Nielsen answered on 17 Nov 2015:

      That’s a really interesting question. As far as I am aware, phobias are a psychological problem rather than a physical one, but the other scientists can correct me on that if I am wrong. I am not sure what exactly triggers people to develop phobias, but I know that it is possible to overcome them. My sister used to have a needle phobia which meant it was a nightmare whenever she needed jabs for holidays. You can actually get needle therapy with the NHS though and now she is completely fine!

    • Photo: Richard Unwin

      Richard Unwin answered on 17 Nov 2015:

      Hi MooMoo.
      Carolyn is spot on, phobias are all in the mind and nobody really knows why we have them. Usually there is Some logic there, for example some spiders are dangerous, but a phobia is a fear of ALL spiders, even tiny harmless ones. People therefore think it could be a defence mechanism in the brain thats a bit too sensitive. However, some people have phobias about weird things – like the number 13 – and I don’t get that at all!

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