Phobias and Fears

What is a Phobia?

A phobia can be classified as a disability in that it can effect a persons psychological being and ability to perform certain tasks. A phobia is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, or persons.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 8.7% of people, or about 19.2 million American adults, suffer from one or more specific phobias.

The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. When the fear is beyond one's control, or if the fear is interfering with daily life, then a diagnosis under one of the anxiety disorders can be made.

It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events and internal predispositions.

Phobias are more often than not linked to the amygdala, an area of the brain located behind the pituitary gland in the limbic system. The amygdala secretes hormones that control fear and aggression, and aids in the interpretation of this emotion in the facial expressions of others.

Phobia's in Children - Fears and Childhood Phobia's

Fears are common and normal in childhood, however, for some children and teenagers, their fears can become very severe over time, and even develop into a phobia. In children and adolescents, the identified fear must last at least six months to be considered a phobia rather than a transient fear.

Childhood phobias can make it difficult for your child to go to school, be around other kids, or get involved in combined activities, such as school camping trips and day camps etc.

Phobias can be very hard on children and teenagers, especially when their friends and/or family don't understand why the child is getting upset over something that is nothing to them. An adult or teenager can often realize their fear is unreasonable or excessive, whereas a younger child might not be aware of this.

A child psychiatrist, psychologist or other qualified health or mental health professional usually diagnoses anxiety disorders in children or adolescents following a comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation. Parents who note signs of severe anxiety in their child or teen should help by seeking an evaluation and treatment early. Early treatment can prevent future problems.

Most psychologists and psychiatrists classify most phobias into three categories:

a) Social phobia - Also known as social anxiety disorder - fears involving other people or social situations such as performance anxiety or fears of embarrassment by scrutiny of others, such as eating in public.

b) Specific phobias - Fear of a single specific panic trigger such as spiders, snakes, dogs, elevators, water, flying, catching a specific illness, etc.

c) Agoraphobia - A generalized fear of leaving home or a small familiar 'safe' area, and of possible panic attacks that might follow.

View our list of common phobias

Further Information Regarding Phobias and Fears

Anxiety Disorders and Panic Attacks
Approximately forty-million adults in the United States, or about eighteen percent of the population, experience a form of Anxiety disorder each year; feeling uncertainty and anxiety. Anxiety disorders may last at least six months and can worsen if left untreated.

What Is Social Phobia?
Social phobia is a mental health disorder that is difficult to understand because it is amongst the last anxiety conditions discovered by doctors. In fact, about 7% of people suffer from this condition, which can be debilitating and difficult for doctors to diagnose. Most are aware that their symptoms are not right, but unaware of exactly what they are suffering.

Overcoming Social Phobia
Everybody experiences an irrational and strong aversion or fear of a particular thing, individual, or situation. This condition is generally referred to as phobia. There are numerous types of phobia, and one of the most common is the social phobia.

Fear of Spiders - Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia can be triggered by the mere thought of a spider or even by a picture of a spider in some cases. Some arachnophobics will, on entering a room, search it for a spider. If they find one they will monitor its progress very thoroughly.

Conquer Your Fears or Phobia
Many people are fearful, anxious or phobic about something - a dark room, a furry cat, being on top of a tall building, or being in a small, cramped room. These fears or phobias may be exaggerated or irrational yet they cause so much distraction and distress.

Phobia Treatments
About 18 percent of those living in the United States endure a kind of a panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, general anxiety disorder or phobias, such as a social phobia, agoraphobia, or a specific phobia, which embody common fears of items such as germs, heights or elevators.

Agoraphobia Definition and Information
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder related to fear of being in places that might be embarrassing or difficult to leave quickly, get help, or where you might experience a panic attack. Persons with Agoraphobia often avoid places they believe they might have a panic attack or symptoms of one.