A specific phobia is a fear of a particular object, animal or situation. Although many people may fear some situation or thing, such as flying or spiders, in specific phobia the fear is great enough that the person goes to great lengths to avoid the situation or experiences it only with intense anxiety. The most common fears reported by people with specific phobia include insects, spiders, snakes, mice/rats, bats, heights, water, enclosed spaces, storms, bridges, and tunnels.