The presented material links a cultural example, a prevalence figure and an expert source to sketch why phobias matter. An expert offers answers about what phobias are and how people might overcome them, and the piece highlights that phobias can alter both work and personal life.
The Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo is used as an illustration. The film’s protagonist, John “Scottie” Ferguson, played by James Stewart, is shown with acrophobia, an extreme fear of heights. In the story this fear forces him to retire from his job as a police officer and generates emotional turmoil that shapes the plot.
The text also reports a prevalence estimate: as many as 13% of the US population are affected by phobias. It lists common specific fears to show variety and focus: spiders, enclosed spaces and rats.
Jill Ehrenreich-May is named as a professor in the psychology department at the University of Miami and director of the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment program. The source points readers to her explanation for more information, but the article itself does not include detailed steps or specific treatments to overcome phobias.
Difficult words
- prevalence — how common something is in a population
- phobia — an intense, persistent fear of somethingphobias
- acrophobia — an extreme fear of heights
- protagonist — the main character in a story or film
- retire — to stop working, often because of age
- turmoil — a state of great confusion or emotional disturbance
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can phobias alter a person’s work and personal life? Give examples from the text or real life.
- Do you think using a film character to illustrate a mental health issue helps readers understand it? Why or why not?
- Why might the article point readers to an expert rather than listing specific treatments for phobias?
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