She would never make great money, nor would she see many promotions, but neither would she have to fly, or find herself in an office high up in the air. Acrophobia, the fear of heights, is no laughing matter. In fact, while some people who suffer phobias can easily avoid the objects of their fears throughout their lives, others greatly disrupt their lives, along with the lives' of their loved ones, in the process of avoiding what makes them afraid. Some, like the woman above, will never travel abroad or pursue promising career opportunities. Others might estrange themselves from their friends, feeling unable to function properly in social situations, and instead live years without healthy social contacts.
Normal anxiety is absolutely necessary for survival.
It is what drove early humans into caves, seeking safety from predators, and it is what makes us today look both ways before crossing the street. A phobic person might be terrified at the sight of an insect, but will also become anxious at the thought of a spider and thus take excessive measures to avoid one, such as spraying large amounts of pesticides even where no insects are evident. Between four and seven percent of Americans suffer from phobias. They can begin in childhood or adulthood, and they occur in more women than men, though the reason for this is as yet unknown. Specific Phobia Specific phobias are the ones we tend to be most familiar with.