彭蒙惠英语：Ten Phobias That Disrupt Our Lives（在线收听）

Ten Phobias That Disrupt Our Lives

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5 Agoraphobia: Fear of open or public spaces

People who suffer from this phobia often fear being unable to escape the situation. This is “the most common and the most debilitating phobia,” Elpers says. “It can actually cripple someone and really affect their life.” Professional help is almost always a must. After all, it’s difficult to have a life if you’re afraid to step outside the door.

6 Cynophobia: Fear of dogs

This is a classic example of a phobia that has arisen as a learned response. Many phobias develop because of something that has happened to you, said Kirsch. After a dog bites you, “… you cultivate a fear of dogs.” She says the best way to conquer cynophobia is to “unlearn what you’ve learned.”

7 Gephyrophobia: Fear of crossing bridges

In the San Francisco Bay Area, this fear spiked after the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989. The Bay Bridge collapse is a clear example of how phobias develop, says Agustin. “The bridge becomes connected to a fear response.”

8 Hobphobia: Fear of bums or beggars

Therapists point out that this fear has gotten worse as cities have grown, while jobs and housing have shriveled. This phobia can largely be avoided—just skirt areas where panhandlers hang out.

9 Coulrophobia: Fear of clowns

Therapists say it’s no surprise that coulrophobia is possibly the most maligned phobia, since clowns can be downright scary. “That bright makeup . . . the clothes ... can be terrifying for small children,” blossoming from fear into a phobia, Agustin says. To prevent this from happening, therapists urge parents to explain to their children what the entertainer is all about before they encounter a clown.

10 Fear of terrorists

According to Elpers, “During certain periods ... there’s an increase in specific fears,” such as today’s “ ... fear of terrorists, but it doesn’t have a name. Within the year, they’ll have a name for that.”

Indeed.

Vocabulary Focus

cripple (v) [5kripl] to damage something very badly and make it weak or not effective

cultivate (v) [5kQltiveit] to form, develop or establish something

spike (v) [spaik] to rise sharply and briefly

skirt (v) [skE:t] to avoid, especially by moving along the edge of something

Specialized Terms

malign (v) 中伤；诽谤 to unfairly criticize or say false and unpleasant things about someone or something