Growing up, the need for a nightlight was essential to keep away the boogieman and other creatures that come out in the dark. It wasn't usually thought of as achluophobia, the fear of darkness; it was known as the little secret that was kept from friends.
Phobias, such as phronemophobia, the fear of thinking, can put even more stress on a person. Since students are constantly thinking, either about what to eat next or how to write that 12-page paper, this phobia can become very limiting.
According to Dr. Sherilyn Thomas, director of the University at Buffalo's Psychological Services Center, phobias are caused by either past experiences or sudden changes in environment.
"If a person was bitten by a dog, then that could cause them to have a phobia of dogs," Thomas said. "Or if you come to college and you are used to a clean environment, then rodents or other pests could become a phobia."
Some common phobias among college students are the fear of animals and insects as well as social phobias, Thomas said.
According to Dr. Larry Hawk Jr., associate professor of psychology, some phobias that are out of the ordinary and in the spirit of Halloween are the fear of the number 13, triskaidekaphobia, and the actual fear of Halloween, samhainophobia.
From the fear of witches, wiccaphobia, to the fear of ghosts, phasmophobia, Halloween has it covered in the fright department.
"The most uncommon and limiting phobia I have seen among students is the fear of ambulances," Thomas said. "The student was so fearful that she eventually stopped leaving her home in fear of seeing one."
According to Josh Sicard, graduate student in media arts production, a past roommate had a phobia of outer space. Just the idea of space would cause sweating and high anxiety.
According to Carly Clemons, a junior sociology major, although living in Buffalo does not allow for many whale sightings, the fear still afflicts her daily life.
"I can't go into the Burger King on campus because there are pictures of whales on the wall. It freaks me out because they are just too big," Clemons said.
Phobias vary in the degree of effect that they have on people's lives.
According to Hawk, it all depends on how frequently one encounters the phobia. If a patient is suffering from a fear of snakes, the Buffalo area will not likely be a life-limiting factor, but if the patient is a park ranger, then it becomes an issue.
"If a person has a phobia of flying, they might put off vacations or promotions due to the need to fly," Hawk said. "Others may still fly, but they will experience excruciating anxiety throughout the flight; some do not allow the fear to limit them but they suffer just the same."
According to Thomas, many students experience social phobias, which significantly decrease the enjoyment of their college years. The fear will consume patients to the point where they will refuse all invitations to social outings.
This exclusiveness can cause a rift in relationships, but most peers and family members will understand what is going on with a patient when they have a phobia, Hawk said.
"We all are a little scared of snakes, spiders, wild animals and public speaking, so it's easier to understand when a friend or family member is experiencing a related phobia," Hawk said.
Social phobias make it hard on friends because the ability to go out on the weekends is extremely restricted.
"When a phobia of a friend or family member begins to encroach upon our own lives and affect the way we live and cause us any anxieties, that is when relationships truly suffer," Hawk said.
With many phobias such as the fear of bald people, peladophobia, and the fear of chins, geniophobia, one has to wonder about the rationality of these fears. According to Hawk, all phobias are to an extent irrational and excessive.
"People who have a phobia of spiders think that the spiders can sense their fear and will attack them because of it," Hawk said. "When in reality, a spider is more than likely to run from a human, instead of chasing one."
One of the biggest misconceptions about phobias, according to Hawk, is that they are untreatable and the patient has to live with the fear forever. There is hope in the form of treatment based on education and exposure.
According to Hawk, the treatments can be as quick as one session and as long as 10 sessions, and the effects are long term. The sessions include information about the subject of the phobia and a systematic approach to exposing the patient to what is causing the fear.
Students who might be feeling a quiet fear can get consultation at the Psychological Services Center to see if there is a need for phobia treatment.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
