Almost everyone has some or the other kind of phobia. A phobia is defined as an exaggerated, usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object or class of objects. Phobias are pretty common. There are more than 130 known phobias that afflict man. There may be more, though not well-known or defined.
Some phobias like Claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) are pretty common. These people dread travelling by lifts preferring to take the stairs, whichever floor their destination may be.
Some phobias like Hydrophobia (fear of water) are well known. This fear extends to swimming and people afflicted with this phobia are scared of venturing near large bodies of water like seas, lakes or the oceans for fear of drowning. Thankfully a bucket of water in the bathroom does not arouse hydrophobia. Just imagine if this fear extended to a bucket of water, then the world would sure be a smelly, dirty place and we would have to cover our noses every time we walked near people having this fear!
Though some of us can laugh of these phobias certain other fears are not easy to shrug off. Many people have Phonophobia; before you frown wondering what it is, let me tell you that it is the fear of speaking aloud. I would prefer calling these people socially shy or afflicted with stage fright.
Ophidiophobia is pretty common. It is nothing but fear of snakes. These creepy, crawly things are feared by many people. Again it’s nothing unusual. Nowadays we all have developed Basiphobia, a fear of walking, that's why we prefer moving from one place to another in cars, autos or bikes adding to the high levels of pollution already existing in our cities and our congested roads. Overcoming this fear will have many benefits, better health for everyone, less smoke and noise in our cities and a decrease in fuel consumption.
Just imagine a doctor suffering from Haematophobia (fear of blood). He or she will swoon every time a drop of blood is spied. Thank goodness doctors don't have that phobia. I am yet to figure out what do people afflicted with Trichophobia (fear of hair) do. Do they tear out chunks of their hair, or shave off their arms and legs or run for a hair removing cream every time they spy a few bristles on their body. Or is it hair on other peoples’ bodies that they fear.
An apple a day...
Iatrophobia (Fear of doctors) is pretty well known and popular, most of us dread a visit to the doctor however friendly he or she may be. Perhaps it’s the  fear of injections, or pills or maybe the diagnosis (God knows what the doctor may unearth in the course of his\her  inspection).
I pity the people who have Cibophobia (Fear of Food). What do these people eat? How does their body get nutrition? Do they waste away for lack of food? One does feel sorry for them. Nyctophobia (Fear of Night) sees people safely locked away behind closed doors, and drawn curtains as darkness descends, refusing to venture out until morning. These unfortunate people have missed out on star gazing and moon light walks.
Anyone who has Plutophobia (Fear of wealth) should really get themselves checked. Not having enough is cause enough for a fear, but having a fear of it, is really a puzzle. Students complete their homework on time because of Poinophobia (Fear of punishment); it could be because they dread detentions, doing lines or getting their marks cut. I think this fear is not too bad, it brings about a much needed discipline in our lives.
People having Hodophobia have never moved out of their cities. Hodophobia is nothing but Fear of Travelling. They prefer the sanctuary of their own cities rather than visiting new places. Just imagine being a Spectrophobic; you would be unfamiliar with your own appearance as Spectrophobia is the fear of mirrors.
This is one fear all of us can laugh at, we all do love peering into mirrors to see those gorgeous reflections of ourselves many times a day. I know people who check their reflections every time they are in the vicinity of a mirror, be it the lobby of a hotel or the mirrors in shops or even a car window!
When everything is scary!
Someone who has a fear of everything is a Pantophobic. People with Pantophobia  fear everything around them. Those of us who have Cynophobia miss out on having a loving and loyal pet. Cynophobia is a fear of dogs.
Do chefs have Aichmophobia? No, never, otherwise how would they cut those fresh vegetables and juicy fruits to make tasty dishes for us. Aichmophobia or the fear of knives thankfully does not afflict them, otherwise we would be served uncooked vegetables washed and cleaned and smothered  with spices and sauces as the chef was unable to venture near a knife!
Hindi movie producers and directors should thank their lucky stars that their heroes and heroines do not have Ombrophobia (Fear of Rain). Where would we be without our heroes and heroines singing and dancing in the rains. Then movies would be shorter and songs fewer.
There are as many different kinds of phobias as there are different things in the world. Many people resort to Hypnosis to rid them of their phobias. Psychiatrists too assist people in getting over their fears. Some use positive affirmations many times a day like saying “ I am not scared of dogs” or whatever else that they fear, to overcome their fears of these objects.
I can go on and on and still on, but I have suddenly developed Graphophobia. It’s nothing serious but a fear of writing. So I’ll just wind up now.