Why do I have a fear of empty swimming pools

asks Nelli:
A. More than 16 million people in this country live with a phobia or an anxiety disorder that affects their everyday routine in some way. Phobias are normally divided into 'simple' phobias and 'social' phobias.

Q. What's the difference
A. 'Simple' phobias are the fear of something specific - such as an empty swimming pool. The most common simple phobias are the fear of animals, such as snakes, spiders and mice, the fear of enclosed spaces and the fear of flying. These phobias produce symptom of a racing heartbeat, panic and nausea.

'Social' phobias are about the fear of social situations, which cause the sufferer to do anything to avoid them. They feel as if everyone is staring at them and judging them, and commonly they are afraid of those in authority. The physical symptoms include intense fear, racing heart, blushing, excessive sweating, dry throat and mouth, trembling, swallowing with difficulty, and muscle twitches.

Q. What causes phobias
A. There is often a simple link - you were bitten by a dog as a child so you have a fear of dogs, for example. But the majority were inexplicable, until now...

Q. Why, what's changed
A. New research into phobias was presented recently at the Human Genome Organisation conference in Edinburgh by scientists from Barcelona University - their studies lead them to believe that phobias are an hereditary genetic trait.

Q. You're born with it
A. Yes. Dr Xavier Estivill, who led the research, explained how they studied 2000 inhabitants of a small village. An investigation of 70 unrelated panic attacks found that all but two of these cases showed evidence of an abnormality in the chromosomes, called DUP25.

Q. How common is it
A. The scientists claim that 7% of the general population has DUP25, and that it is a major factor in anxiety attacks.

Q. What can we do now that we know what causes them
A. For a start, people will have the comfort of knowing that they can't help their phobias and that they're not abnormal. And it may lead to genetic research in the future to find new therapies and treatments.

Q. Where can I find out more about phobias
A. For information about anxiety and social phobias, visit Anxiety Network.

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By Sheena Miller