Phobia

Phobia, inordinate and overwhelming fear of certain events, situations, and objects. Some common fears include fear of heights (acrophobia), small spaces (claustrophobia), water (hydrophobia), foreigners (xenophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), and open spaces (agoraphobia). Phobias can severely restrict an individual's daily life and prevent the execution of daily routines. Phobias are considered a psychological disorder and treatment usually requires psychoanalysis or behavior therapy.

See also: Neurosis.