Fear is one of the most powerful human emotions.

Phobias are an intense fear of certain situations or objects that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger. Some of these fears may make sense, but often, the level of fear doesn’t match the situation. As a result, you may spend a lot of time trying to avoid situations that may trigger the phobia.

For those experiencing an extreme fear or a phobia, it can trigger overwhelming physical and emotional symptoms which can limit enjoyment of life and create additional anxieties and stress. Symptoms may include, dizziness, palpitations, nausea, panic, crying and an overwhelming need to run away.

If you have a phobia, you probably realize that your fear may be irrational, yet you still can't control your feelings. Just thinking about the feared object or situation may make you anxious. And when you're actually exposed to the thing you fear, the terror is automatic and overwhelming. The experience is so nerve-wracking that you may go to great lengths to avoid it—inconveniencing yourself or even changing your lifestyle.