Beyond phobia

Spiders and snakes top the list: there are people who completely seize up just at the thought of seeing one of these animals. There are also people who are afraid of butterflies, on whom the thought of seeing one has a similar effect. There are people who cannot board an airplane, or get into an elevator. In these cases, the practical impact on their life can be significant, especially when their fear develops into a full-blown phobia, incapacitating them to the point where they lose their job or their relationships are affected.