An extremely common misconception about phobias is that they're linked to a traumatic event, but in fact, phobias can emerge at any time in a person's life, without an obvious reason. You may suddenly find yourself suffering from lepidopterophobia, or a fear of butterflies. Author Jennifer MacKay offers young readers and researchers a means of understanding phobias and their ramifications. This guidebook offers insight into what phobias are, what causes them, how people live with them, and the latest information about treatment and prevention.