Phobias are powerful vehicles for aggressive feelings. They condense anxiety. Intrusive phobias aren't part of general personalities, they just kick in at key moments. They're a defence against intense trauma, fear of intimacy, stuff like that.
Phobias serve as intense expressions of underlying aggressive emotions, acting as a means to channel anxiety. These fears do not define an individual's personality but rather emerge in critical situations where they provide a protective mechanism. They can serve as a defense against deeper issues such as trauma or an aversion to intimacy.
In the context of Christopher Fowler's "Full Dark House," phobias highlight the way people cope with profound inner...