Phobias and Fear Examined in New America Haunts Blog Series

Farmington Hills, MI, September 01, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Members of America Haunts (www.americahaunts.com), an association of elite haunted house attractions that delivers fear-based entertainment to more than a million thrill-seekers each Halloween season, have begun publishing an online series of short articles defining and exploring phobias that comprise the culture of Halloween fear.

Available at AmericaHaunts.com, entries will be posted throughout the Halloween season and range from Triskaidekaphobia (the irrational fear of the number 13) and Phasmophobia (an unnatural fear of ghosts and apparitions) to Dementophobia (a fear of insanity) and Nyctohylophobia (the fear of dark wooded areas). Each entry in the organization’s phobia blog series will explore at least one phobia that might be experienced by a thrill-seeker coming to an America Haunts attraction. Collectively, America Haunts venues annually welcome more than one million fear seekers through their doors.

“Fear is a belief, real or imagined, about impending doom or a threat. Our individual phobias get the adrenaline pumping and we get that rush from our fight-or-flight response,” said Scott Simmons of America Haunts and co-founder of Pittsburgh’s ScareHouse. “For some people, the mere thought or presence of spiders—Arachnophobia—is enough to send them into panic mode.

“People visit our attractions annually - intentionally exposing themselves to the things they fear most for the sheer thrill. America Haunts is the authority on fear, so it makes sense for us to explore this fear-phobia relationship.”

America Haunts members are dedicated to providing the safest, scariest and most fun haunted entertainment in the country. The organization is home to the nation’s most elite tier of haunted houses and fear-inducing attractions, each representing the highest echelon of Halloween entertainment. With daunting criteria for acceptance, America Haunts membership is exclusive and considered one of the greatest recognitions a haunted venue can receive.

Haunts that have been invited to be part of America Haunts feature some of most gruesome, creative and innovative displays to horrify visitors. Each has a commitment to technical excellence with stunning set designs and Hollywood-quality make-up, costumes and actors. Several of the haunts have been in operation for more than 30 years.

To read about specific phobias, review a directory of individual American Haunts haunt and attraction members and respective websites, including hours and ticket prices, go to www.AmericaHaunts.com.

With more than 20 hayrides, and attractions in 20 markets across the country, America Haunts delivers fear-based entertainment to more than a million thrill seekers each Halloween season. The attractions within this organization have been featured on Travel Channel and recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records on multiple occasions. The high-tech attractions within this association are committed to providing technical excellence, stunning set design, and Hollywood-quality make-up, costumes and creatures. Members’ enjoy nothing more than delivering a good old-fashioned scare to fright fans of all ages. For more information, visit AmericaHaunts.com.

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