Unlike normal fear, phobias and anxiety disorders distort our perception of threat. A phobia is an intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations—like spiders, snakes, or heights—that may pose little or no actual danger. People with phobias often go to great lengths to avoid their triggers, even when they understand the fear is irrational. Similarly, anxiety can create a constant state of worry or panic, often without a clear cause, affecting daily life and emotional well-being.