10 most widespread phobias among people

New Delhi: Terrified of the creepy-crawlies? Scared of slithering serpents? Well, you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, phobias affect approximately 10% of adults. There are a number of explanations for why phobias develop, including evolutionary and behavioral theories. Don't believe it, here are the top 10 phobias: 1. Slithering Snakes Snakes, even the name can make some shrink with fear. It is the most widespread phobia as suggested by studies. There are places in the world where people are undaunted about snakes or spiders and the use them to make soups or fry spiders and put them on sticks. But in most places the fears of snakes still exist and it is linked to survival instinct by researchers. As per a study where children and adults were asked they picked the images of snakes more quickly than pointed out frogs and flowers among various non-threatening objects. 2. Creepy Crawlies Everyone might know someone who would scream and shot at the sight of a spider. And it is also been found that women fear spiders four times more than men do. These analyses were made by David Rakison of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, when 11 month old girls were shown images of spiders and snakes their facial expressions expressed fear, unlike the baby boys who did not flinch. 3. Scary Spaces The fear of place or circumstances which might be hard to escape creates fear and anxiety among many. Most common situation and places feared are bridges, sporting events, elevators, driving, shopping malls, public transportation and airplanes. People suffering from agoraphobia avoid traveling in cars, or being in crowded places and even leaving their home.4. Other People Everyone's a part of the crowd in a city but when on a stage many tune red and sweaty and get butterflies in the stomach which they can't escape from. These are some of the signs of social phobia. The intensity of this fear can extend to anxiety during eating or drinking in front of other people, also experiencing a general discomfort or nervousness among anyone other than family members. 5. Harrowing Heights This is the most common phobia among people, the fear of heights. It's called acrophobia. A study conducted by the Royal Society, the test to estimate the level of acrophobia, participants were made to stand at ground level and judge the height of a building and then from the top of the same building. The ones who were most afraid judged the building to be much taller than the rest. The acrophobics seem to see the building taller, which evokes the fear. 6. The Dark Fear from dark is the one of the most common fears among children. As said by Thomas Ollendick, professor of psychology and director of the Child Study Center at Virginia Tech "What always amazes us are the thoughts or beliefs that kids have,” she adds “Kids believe everything imaginable, that in the dark robbers might come or they could get kidnapped, or someone might come and take their toys away." If this anxiety reaches extreme level in a grown child it leads to phobia called nyctophobia. 7. Thunder and Lightning The fear of thunder and lighting is so deep seated in some people that they pack up and move to a place with calm weather. Weather phobia causes heart pounding, sweaty palm meltdown in some cases. John Westefeld of the University of Iowa said, recommending treatment, “a combination of social support and accurate information, and training in ways of coping with anxiety and panic,” in case of severe weather phobia. 8. Frightful Flight Many people have different levels of fear associated with flying, the ones who can't get on a plane, they suffer from aviophobia and then there are some who get a bit anxious on planes. As per Barbara Rothbaum, professor of psychiatry and the Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program director at Emory University School of Medicine there are two groups among frightful fliers. One, person afraid of plane crash and second are people who feels claustrophobic and posse the threat of panic attack in the cabin. 9. Dogs Hard to believe, but it's true. A large number of people share the phobia of dogs. It is known as cynophobia or extreme fear of dogs. According to psychology professor Brad Schmidt of Ohio State University, most people develop cynophobia in case they have been bitten by a dog or seen someone get bitten. However there are treatments available if anyone wants to work on their relationship with dogs. 10. The Dentist The sound of a dentist's drill is enough for many to skip the appointment. The most serious of all situations is the ‘full blown dental phobia' a condition where a person avoids the dentist's chair at all costs.