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Learn what triggers fears and why in 'The Book of Phobias and Manias'

It’s October and that means Halloween is almost upon us.

The time of year when we eat too much candy, drink too much pumpkin spice and celebrate the things we’re most afraid of.

But why is it that we fear things like spiders and skeletons? Where do those fears come from? And why on earth would we want to celebrate them?

To get at some of those questions, The Show spoke with Kate Summerscale, an author who has taken a particular interest in the macabre.

Summerscale is the author of a new book on the topic, "The Book of Phobias and Manias: A History of Obsession."

More stories from KJZZ

Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.