"Phobias are hardwired fear responses—from experience, trauma, or how we're wired neurologically," an expert told Newsweek.

Phobias - the word is Greek for 'fear' - have always been part of the human condition, with some people harbouring irrational fears of things that cannot or are unlikely to hurt them. Small ...

but there are four or five places in the U.S. that are using it today." The University of Washington is one institution that uses virtual reality (VR), coupled with real life, in treating phobias.

A Netherlands researcher claims even the most extreme fears can be treated using her method Mari Ramsawakh Phobias, or irrational fears, can be difficult to handle — if not downright debilitating.