Was balloon phobia part of my destiny ?
Recent research has indicated that there is likely to be a link between our genetic
make up and whether or not we will suffer from a phobic condition at some time in
life. In any event, it has been estimated that one person in three will suffer from
a phobia at some time - so we are talking about a common occurrence here.
The studies seem to indicate that there may be differing genetic structures which
cause different types of phobia but only time and further research will determine
that - for now we can only say for certain that there is likely to be a general
susceptibility to developing a phobia of some kind. It has been observed that, in
families where there is an obvious genetic disposition towards phobia development,
there are a number of different phobias present - it is unusual for people within a
family circle to suffer from the same set of phobias. It is also common, as with many
other genetically controlled features, for characteristics to skip a generation - for a
sibling to be a sufferer and the parent to be immune, but the grandparent to be a
sufferer, and the great-grandparent to be unaffected.
The area of the genetic code that appears to affect the potential for phobias is
closely associated with the area which determines pigmentation - the color of skin
eyes and hair, so there may be racial stereotypes which have their basis in something
much more certain than hearsay or reputation. It has been suggested that, because
the genetic structure that appears to readily allow phobias to develop, is one that
survives in a large proportion of the population, this facility was at some time
and in some place, beneficial for survival. When Darwin spoke of the 'survival of
the fittest' he was not talking about physical 'fitness' although that is never a
bad thing, he was referring to people and creatures that had the skills which FITTED
the needs of survival at a particular time and place. It would appear that there
was a time in our past where people who were over-cautious had a better chance of
survival.
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