The list of phobias suffered by humans is as varied as we are as people. Many, like fear of snakes (ophidiophobia) are well grounded and serve us good purpose. Others like chorophobia (fear of dancing) serve less purpose, that is unless the fear serves to prevent you from embarrassing yourself.It has been written that phobias have existed since the dawn of man. The more esoteric of them, such as consecotaleophobia (fear of chopsticks) are more current. Although many snicker, even the silliest of phobias impact someone making their life more difficult. There are many applicable ones within this category.For instance, haptephobia (fear of being touched) is a real phobia which afflicts more sufferers than one would imagine. Strong versions of this phobia banish those who have it to lonely existences rarely leaving the confines of their own homes. Those with hodophobia (fear of road travel) can leave their homes, but not go much further.Lilapsophobia (fear of hurricanes or tornadoes) is an example of a phobia which can serve a good purpose within reason. Obviously, it is within our interests to have a built in aversion to being in the path of a tornado. However, as with the tendency for many phobias, when taken to an extreme it can lead one to run for shelter at the slightest hint of clouds.Some phobias can actually help us succeed. Those suffering peniaphobia (fear of poverty) are most likely to turn out to be good workers. Conversely, those suffering from plutophobia are more likely to be the opposite. No, that isn’t fear of a planet or theme park character. Plutophobia is a fear of having wealth, and believe it or not it does exist.Many common phobias, such as pteromerhanophobia (fear of flying) are able to be confronted and overcome. Others, like children suffering scolionophobia (fear of school), are quickly surmounted with parental help. Similarly, your spouse will quickly help you get over novercaphobia (fear of your mother in law). Phobias can’t get you out of everything.Many try to use them as a crutch such as the husband who forgot his anniversary blaming it on his anthophobia (fear of flowers). Others are quite logical and reside within all of us, such as atomosophobia (fear of atomic explosions). Ballistophobia (fear of bullets) also fits into this category.The list of phobias ranges from the common to the rare. It also goes from the serious to the comical. Anything on earth appears to be capable of triggering one. Growing everyday as we invent new things to scare us, this list will never end.