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Dogsare wonderful beings, theres no doubt about it.
But not everyone is equally thrilled about being in their vicinity, often due to fears and phobias.
Takethis redditorsneighbor, for instance.
Stephane Bouchard, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions about phobias.
But fear is rarely ever rational, especially if its a full-fledged phobia.
In general, phobias are believed to affectroughly 9%of the population in the US.
Depending on the severity of the phobia and the context, these reactions may be impossible to regulate.
Some people will break into tears, run away from situations, or freeze.
If there were a chance Id meet a dog, I wouldnt leave the house.
To make matters worse, cynophobia is just one of the numerousphobiasthat make peoples lives difficult.
Many children will have phobic-like reactions to strangers, clowns, doctors, insects or large dogs.
Most people with a specific phobia will find ways to cope with their phobia and it may go unnoticed.
Phobias are real and intense reactions associated with distress.
They are also associated with avoidance behaviors that may appear unnecessary or exaggerated.
But not taking peoples phobias seriously is not helping anyone.
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