The term 'irrational dread' can be summed up as a PHOBIA, which is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of certain objects or situations. People with phobias often experience irrational and excessive fear when faced with the object or situation they are afraid of. This fear can lead to avoidance of the object or situation, as well as physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing. Irrational dread is a type of PHOBIA that is characterized by an irrational fear of something that poses no real danger.