Definition

A phobia is a persistent and irrational fear of a particular type of object, animal, activity, or situation.

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Specific phobias are a type of anxiety disorder in which exposure to the feared stimulus may provoke extreme anxiety or a panic attack. Specific phobias are among the most common of all psychiatric disorders, affecting up to 10% of the population.

Common phobias include the fear of particular animals (for instance, dogs or snakes), insects or spiders, high places, lightening, flying, and blood. People with specific phobias often realize their fear is irrational, but are unable to prevent it.

Symptoms

  • Exposure to the feared object provokes an anxiety reaction.
  • The anxiety and discomfort is out of proportion to the real threat of the feared object.
  • The person may experience excessive sweating, poor motor control, or rapid heart rate.
  • The person avoids situations in which contact with the feared object or animal may occur -- for example, avoiding driving through tunnels, if tunnels are the subject of the specific phobia. This type of avoidance can interfere with job and social functioning.
  • The person may feel weak or cowardly and lose self-esteem when avoiding the object of the phobia.

Signs and tests

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to help the person function effectively. The success of the treatment usually depends on the severity of the phobia.

Systematic desensitization is a technique used to treat phobias. The person is asked to relax, then imagine the components of the phobia, working from the least fearful to the most fearful. Graded real-life exposure has also been used with success to help people overcome their fears.

Anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications are sometimes used to help relieve the symptoms associated with phobias. Phobia clinics and group therapy are available in some areas to help people deal with common phobias, such as a fear of flying.

Expectations (prognosis)

Phobias tend to be chronic, but they can respond to treatment.

Complications

Some phobias may have consequences that affect job performance or social functioning. Some anti-anxiety medications used to treat phobias, such as benzodiazepines, may cause physical dependence.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider or a mental health professional if a simple phobia is interfering with life activities.

Review Date:11/15/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.