Psychological Disabling Phobias and Fears

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2023/04/19
Category Topic: Phobias and Fears (Publications Database)

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Subtopics

Synopsis: A phobia can be classified as a disability in that it can effect a person's psychological being or the ability to perform certain tasks.

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.

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 also aids in the interpretation of this emotion in the facial expressions of others.

Introduction

What is a Phobia?

In clinical psychology, a phobia is defined as a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational. In the event the phobia cannot be avoided entirely, the sufferer will endure the situation or object with marked distress and significant interference in social or occupational activities.

Main Document

A phobia can be classified as a disability in that it can effect a person's 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 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.

Phobia Categories

Most psychologists and psychiatrists classify most phobias into three categories:

Facts and Statistics

Phobias are a common form of anxiety disorders, and distributions are heterogeneous by age and gender.

View our list of common phobias

Latest Publications

- American fears in 2024 include government corruption, possibility of global war, and economic uncertainty.

- Trypophobia, commonly known as fear of holes, is linked to a physiological response more associated with disgust than fear.

- Fears a parent may experience can be passed down to their children and results of experiments suggest fallout from traumatic experiences may extend through generations.

Complete List of Publications

Subtopics

Citing Information and Page References

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Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World (DW). (Rev. 2023, April 19). Psychological Disabling Phobias and Fears. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 15, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/phobias/

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