Fear of… Flying

Known as aerophobia, it affects 28% of people in the UK**. “This stems from thinking about external factors that are beyond your control, such as turbulence, bad weather or an engineering fault,” says Dr Winwood. “People with aerophobia are acutely aware that if the plane encounters trouble they are helpless.”

Cure it “Acknowledge it – seeking out alternative methods of travel only reinforces the phobia,” says Dr Winwood. “Anxiety thrives off ‘what if?’ catastrophic thoughts, so we can help overcome this by brushing up on the facts. research how a plane flies and the causes of turbulence, so you know what to expect. that can help give you a feeling of greater control over the risk. Online flight simulators can also be helpful and many airlines offer special courses. Alternatively, therapists can also suggest breathing techniques to help you stay calm.” try the Headspace app (free, iOS, Android) – the easy-to-follow breathing exercises can be downloaded and used when you’re offline.

64% of British adults admit they’re scared of the dark, according to Bensons for Beds

Fear of… heights

“Acrophobia is rooted in a fear that we’ll lose control,” says Dr Winwood. “It’s natural to feel nervous from an unnatural height – genetically speaking, keeping away from dangerous drops was an evolutionary necessity.”

Cure it “Slowly exposing yourself to new heights, such as looking over a stairwell, is a strong starting point,” says Dr Winwood. “When you’re feeling braver, you could try an experience day involving a zip line or indoor skydiving. Cognitive behavioural therapy

(CBt) could help train your brain into thinking of heights as a perceived threat that you’re in control of.”