It's Halloween Time: Here Are Some Of Illinois' Biggest Fears

I just learned this morning that there are over 400 recognized phobias out there, and that a person can develop a phobia about nearly anything. What's more, you can develop a phobia later in life to something that never bothered you before.

So, you've got that going for you.

Now, as we enter the final couple of weeks of spooky season before the arrival of Halloween, let's take a look at some of the things that cause Illinoisans to freak out over or develop a phobia.

I'm sorry if the word "Phobia" is one of your phobias. (Getty Images)

It Turns Out That Not As Many People Have Phobias As You Might Think

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines phobia as "an intense, irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. Although adults with phobias may realize that these fears are irrational, even thinking about facing the feared object or situation brings on severe anxiety symptoms."

However, NIMH goes on to say that only 9.1% of the population actually have some sort of phobia. Of all the phobias (and there are plenty) which phobia do you believe is the most common?

If you said "arachnophobia," or the fear of spiders and arachnids, you nailed it. Estimates put arachnophobia at affecting roughly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men.

I've gotta think that a shrieking person freaks out a spider. Even a plastic one. (Getty Images)

In Illinois, Our Biggest Phobia Is Not Bugs, Heights, Or Needles

According to a study on fears released by YourLocalSecurity.com, Illinoisans have a phobia that must make Halloween extra tough because you see plenty of it in October: Blood.

That's right, Illinois residents, along with the residents of 8 other states, have an intense, irrational fear of blood. Since you can't chuck a pumpkin around here without having it land in some Halloween decoration that's been covered in fake blood, October has got to really suck for those with this phobia.

Getty Images

Do I disgust and repel you?(Getty Images)

Nationwide, Fear Of Failure Is This Year's Number One Phobia

Fear of failure was the "winner" with 10 states choosing that phobia, followed by Illinois' chief fear, blood. Water, intimacy, spiders, and "the outside" round out the top six.

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LOOK: How Halloween has changed in the past 100 years

Stacker compiled a list of ways that Halloween has changed over the last 100 years, from how we celebrate it on the day to the costumes we wear trick-or-treating. We’ve included events, inventions, and trends that changed the ways that Halloween was celebrated over time. Many of these traditions were phased out over time. But just like fake blood in a carpet, every bit of Halloween’s history left an impression we can see traces of today.

Gallery Credit: Brit McGinnis