A phobia is a strong and serious fear that is typically irrational and caused by very concrete things and situations such as specific animals such as rats, snakes, spiders or perhaps small rooms, open spaces, etc.

Although phobias are a very common problem we know very little about why some people suffer from them. In some cases treatment with hypnotism has proved to have some effect but we do not know any real cures for phobias.

What is phobia and what types of phobias do we know of? How badly are some people affected by their phobias? Can a phobia seriously threaten life quality?

Keynote speakers on phobias take a closer look at these matters, trying to provide some answers.