The word is derived from the Greek phobos meaning extreme fear and flight. The ancient Greek god, Phobos, was believed to be able to reduce the enemies of the Greeks to a state of abject terror, making victory in battle more likely.

Phobias affects people of all the ages, all the long walks of the life, and in each place in world. The national institute of the mental health has disclosed that 5.1%-12.5% of Americans have phobias. Phobias forms the psychiatric disease commonest between the women of all the ages and is the second common disease between the men oldest of 25, according to NIMH statistic.