What was the sound beyond the corridor or that figure in the corner of your eye? That certain feeling of your heart beating faster and your palms sweating, the thrill called fear. Fear is a defense system to warn humans that we may be in danger, but what happens if fear goes too far? People with phobias feel cold sweat falling from their face, their pupils dilated, they tremble at the sight of traffic lights or do not have the courage to cross rivers, it is most likely a phobia. It is an irrational fear that takes over someone's mind and prevents them from overcoming obstacles in their life. They can range from something scary like spiders to something strange like paper towel rolls. As Lea Winerman, a writer for the American Psychology Association, states: “All phobias are anxiety disorders, grouped in the same class as post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder, among others. And anxiety disorders are, fundamentally, fear-based.” Phobias prevent people from functioning normally and leading a healthy life, taking control of their lives and daily schedules. The effects of having a phobia result in inconveniences in your life, stress, and medical problems in your future. One of the biggest concerns about having a phobia is that it will get in the way of your daily life. A phobia can prevent a person from having a normal life. Being afraid of things like cars or computers could be an obstacle in anyone's daily life. These feelings of insecurity push people to lash out or hide in corners. People are prone to have phobias due to past experiences, but these cause a huge gap in people's lives. Phobias can also cause people to become detached and yet helpless in the face of their fears. Mr. Burnett, a doctor of neuroscience and professor, says that… middle of paper… can create unwanted stress, and stress turns into future health problems. Phobias are deeply rooted fears, but fears can be treated with patience and the help of a doctor. No one should face fear alone, it takes real courage and the support of others to gain control over the fear in your life. (Word Count: 786) Works Cited Burnett, Dean. “Phobias: The Logic Behind Irrational Fears.” Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, June 28, 2013. Web. April 27, 2014. Dryden-Edwards, Roxanne, MD, and Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD. "Phobias: Information on the definition and treatment of phobias." MedicineNet. Medicinenet.com, December 9, 2012. Web. April 27, 2014. Wittchen, HU, and E. Beloch. "The impact of social phobia on quality of life". National Center for Biotechnology Information. United States National Library of Medicine, July 11, 1996. Web. April 27. 2014.