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[00:00.39] What are the things that scare you: snakes, spiders or creepy crawlies?

[00:06.23] Or maybe you have a fear of heights or visiting the dentist.

[00:11.54] Although some of us just get scared or a bit nervous about these things, for others it can cause an irrational reaction that can’t be controlled – something we call a phobia.

[00:24.83] It occurs when someone develops an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation or object.

[00:34.39] Sometimes it’s good to be aware of the possible dangers from things.

[00:39.17] Our brain alerts us to the risks that might lie ahead, but then we often rationalise the risks and overcome them.

[00:48.20] Clinical psychologist Warren Mansell told the BBC: “Our fears are hard-wired into our brains – we don’t need to learn to be afraid of animals like snakes or spiders.”

[01:00.68] But phobias are stronger than just fears.

[01:03.87] Warren says: “An area called the amygdala in the brain is recognising a threat and preparing your body for fight or flight.”

[01:13.96] With a phobia, your breathing gets quicker, your pulse speeds up, you sweat, there’s more glucose in your blood, increasing your energy, and your brain is unable to control these reactions.

[01:27.24] But where does a phobia come from? 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 something you have learnt from your own experience.”

[01:46.64] Or a trauma from a past event that comes back to haunt you.

[01:51.68] There are many different complex phobias some people suffer from, such as agoraphobia – triggered by being away from home, social anxiety disorder – feeling anxious in social situations, and iatrophobia – fear of doctors.

[02:11.08] But how can they be overcome? Cognitive behavioural therapy is one option, where you gradually get used to whatever it is you fear.

[02:21.70] Lauren Rosenburg says she likes to work with people to clear their subconscious memory and help them breathe.

[02:31.26] But if you do have a phobia, continually trying to avoid what you’re afraid of is likely to make the situation worse, so it’s a good idea to find help to overcome it.