What are the things that scare you: snakes, spiders or fierce tigers? Or maybe you have a fear of heights or visiting the dentist. Although some of us just get scared or a bit nervous about these things, for others it can cause an unreasonable reaction that can’t be controlled-something we call a phobia (恐惧症). 【小题1】

Sometimes it’s good to be aware of the possible dangers from things. Our brain warns us of the risks that might lie ahead, but then we often get prepared and overcome them. Clinical psychologist Warren Mansell told the BBC, “Our fears are rooted in our brains-we don’t need to learn to be afraid of animals like snakes or spiders.”【小题2】With a phobia, your breathing gets quicker, your pulse speeds up, you sweat and your brain is unable to control these reactions.

【小题3】 Speaking to the BBC, Lauren Rosenberg, a fear and phobia expert, says, “Phobias usually are a copy behaviour from a higher authority, like a parent or teacher, or a kind of mental suffering from a past event that comes back to trouble you continuously.”

There are many different complex phobias some people suffer from, such as agoraphobia－caused by being away from home, and iatrophobia-fear of doctors.【小题4】Therapy (心理治疗) is one choice, where you gradually get used to whatever it is you fear. Lauren Rosenburg says she likes to work with people to clear their bad memory and help them breathe. But if you do have a phobia, continually trying to avoid what you’re afraid of by yourself is likely to make the situation worse.【小题5】