Fear Factor - What scares You ?

It comes to something when a night out is ruined by pigeons.

Toronto psychologist Dr. Sophia Kahill was having a drink on a restaurant rooftop patio when her friend started panicking. "She was afraid of pigeons," says Kahill. "The closer they got, the more scared she was. She had to leave."

Kahill, who treats phobia victims, was even more perplexed when her pal refused her offer of assistance. Had the friend agreed to treatment, Kahill may have had the honour of naming another in a growing list of phobias.

The list is so long, there's even a name for a dread of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth -- arachibutyrophobia.

Such a phobia is easily cured by avoiding peanut butter, preventing any interference with the victim's daily life. But, says Kahill, there are plenty of phobias that play havoc with daily existence, such as a fear of crowds, elevators, flying, enclosed spaces and driving.

One particular phobia hits nine out of 10 people -- the dread of public speaking.
SCARY STUFF ... Most men look at Elizabeth Hurley and think sex. Unfortunately, some are petrified of beautiful women and cower at the idea of making love. -- Photo: Barry Wetcher

Some sufferers, says Kahill, will do anything to avoid making a speech or presentation, even a simple dinner toast. In some cases, like business executives, the phobia has to be conquered or deals and promotions can be kissed goodbye.

Fortunately, notes Kahill, most serious phobias affecting someone's daily existence are treatable, usually through a program of gradual exposure to the perceived fear. According to Kahill, most phobias can be defeated with two or three consultations, sometimes with only one.

Kahill, who also helps people overcome anxiety and panic attacks, says she has no phobias. "I'm not particularly fond of spiders," she admits, "but give me cold, hard cash and I'll pet one. "Someone with a real phobia about spiders wouldn't touch one for $1 million."

Most people fear something, with one survey showing that 25 million Americans are afraid to fly.

Famous victims of aviophobia include Aretha Franklin, Dutch soccer star Dennis Bergkamp, Cher, Michael Jackson, Glenda Jackson and Muhammad Ali.

Actress Natalie Wood, who drowned in 1981, suffered from hydrophobia, a fear of water.
Other people fear politicians, like Mel Lastman. Some are scared stiff of coffee and some dread dancing. -- Photo: Zoran Bozicevic

Actress Kim Basinger fears open spaces. Anne Rice, who writes supernatural novels, fears the dark. Film director Alfred Hitchcock supposedly feared eggs.

Virtual reality computer systems have been used to successfully treat phobias.

A person afraid of heights can be hooked up to a visual system which will show films depicting various heights. Flight simulation is used to help those who fear flying.

So if your afraid of something or someone then remember you are not alone. Millions of people are there to give you company.

For those of you who are not afraid of anyone or anything kindly take part in the NBC TV Show titled ' Fear Factor ' - Click Here to visit the FearFactor.com Website