Humankind's 10 Most Common Fears (And How To Overcome Them)

How it worksEffectivenessSafetyTechFor businessDownloadHumankind’s 10 Most Common Fears (And How To Overcome Them)Why they exist and how to overcome themByAnne PutnamMedically Reviewed byDr HamiltonSource: Unsplash

Real-life fears are much scarier than scenes from a horror film, like a serial killer doll or flesh-eating zombies. The most common fears and phobias cause more discomfort than your average spook and are more real and complex. 

These fears can be debilitating, preventing people from living wholly or causing them to create a routine focused on avoiding triggers — tolerating the sensations that result from triggering objects or situations isn’t an option, as they’re known to make people feel like they’re in a life-threatening situation.

Some of humanity’s most common phobias are well known, like the fear of heights or of the dark. Others, however, are less expected, like the fear of speaking to strangers due to anxiety about what they might think of you. To free yourself of these fears, you have to understand them — it’s not enough to change the channel or end the conversation. 

Debugging humankind’s most common fears

Fear has an important job: keeping us alive. Without it, we might challenge dangerous animals or throw ourselves off cliffs without the fear of pain or death. It’s a protection instinct.

But irrational fears can cause us to withdraw from life’s joys, affecting our quality of life. When fear reaches this level, it’s upgraded to a phobia. With phobias, your mind has established what psychology calls “automatic thoughts” — every time the feared situation occurs, your brain automatically receives a message (in the amygdala), and your body reacts with uncomfortable sensations and attempts to get away from the “danger.”

Get started feeling better today, with Youper

Get it on App StoreGet it on Google PlaySource: Unsplash

Humankind’s 10 most common fears

How to overcome a fear or phobia

To change the system, aside from understanding it better, it’s necessary to gradually come into contact with your fear — to face it, safely. The exposure will create a new form of reasoning, which consists of creating new, safe memories about your fears. In time, the brain learns those situations don’t always need to alert you to “escape” to survive. Slowly, your automatic thoughts become different, calmer feelings and behaviors. This type of treatment is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Therapists created Youper to make mental healthcare accessible to everyone. Youper is a mental health chatbot that guides you through interactive CBT Therapy exercises to help you calm anxiety, improve your relationships, be more productive, and improve your mood. Youper is available on your own time and schedule wherever and whenever needed.

Get started feeling better today, with Youper

Get it on App StoreGet it on Google Play

Share this article

Anne Putnam‍Experienced writer and educator dedicated to demystifying and destigmatizing mental health care.

Dr Hamilton‍Psychiatrist on a mission to empower people all over the world to better take care of their emotional health.

More articles about

Anxiety

Anxiety

Anxiety in Men Is More Common Than You Think

And it can affect their quality of life if they don’t get the help they needAnxiety

The Difference Between Fear and Anxiety

How to know when you're feeling more than just scared and it’s time to get help with your anxiety

Over 60,000 5-star reviews

Star icon Star icon Star icon Star icon Star icon

548 Market StSan Francisco, CA 94104

• HomeAbout usHow it worksEffectivenessSafetyTech

• For usersFor businessBlogPrivacy PolicyTerms of use

Follow us

Instagram iconTwitter icon LinkedIn icon Get it on App StoreGet it on Google Play© 2023 Youper Inc. All rights reserved