Fear Factor Gene? Perhaps But Environment Also Plays a Role in Fears and Phobias

Some of us might suffer from fear of public restrooms, needles, or snakes. Perhaps the fear of these situations has a genetic basis. But other fears may have environmental causes. This article will discuss factors that might influence these phobias.


Fear of needles
The current study used data collected from seventy-two pairs of male and female twins in 1997 and 2000 to determine the genetic basis of phobias. In addition to twins, the study also included 1,624 individuals from the same family. Individuals were categorized by age, with twins being subdivided into two age groups. Individual twins were matched by age for their gender and inherited half of the genes underlying fear.

The genetic component of fear is important, but environmental factors play a large role as well. Fear of needles is one such case. It may come from an ancient fear of parasites and infectious diseases. According to researchers, this fear may be hereditary in origin, although the environment plays an important role in fear development.

Phobias are often severe and affect a person's health, work, and relationships. Some people refuse life-saving medical treatments because of their fear of needles. Others are afraid to fly and miss important business meetings or family gatherings.

Fear of public restrooms
Fear of public restrooms can be a very common phobia. It can make a person feel embarrassed, dizzy, and even faint. It also prevents them from fulfilling a basic need, and can lead to a sense of isolation. Unfortunately, few people are aware of this condition. While the reasons behind this fear are varied, it is often related to the fear of germs or vomit. Some people also have a fear of going too far from a restroom.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a medical professional. A medical professional will be able to diagnose your problem and may prescribe medication to treat your fear. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need therapy. A doctor can also refer you to a specialist for further treatment.

Fear of snakes
While many phobias are genetic in nature, researchers have found that the environment can contribute to the development of specific fears. For example, a person's fear of snakes may be a direct result of the environment, as people from different parts of the world may exhibit different levels of phobias. This makes it difficult to find the exact cause of a phobia. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome your fear.

There is no direct evidence that snakes are particularly dangerous, but studies have found that exposure to them is a significant contributor to the development of phobias. For example, people who have a fear of snakes are more likely to be frightened of snakes than those who are not. It is important to note that the study was based on 1198 male-male twins. Of these, 707 were monozygotic while the other 491 were dizygotic twins.

The fear of snakes is closely associated with the fear of diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and HIV. Genetic Factor 2 is loaded on four other phobias, including the fear of public restrooms. Fear of snakes is linked to the fear of disease and the fear of snake bite. In addition, fear of snakes is linked to the fear of blood-injury, which makes the animal's bite resemble an injection.