A phobia is an intense fear or anxiety of something that poses little or no actual danger. Here, learn the common types of phobias and ways to combat fear.
In this article you will learn about phobias, which are intense and irrational fears or anxiety related to a specific object or situation that poses little or no actual danger. The article covers the common symptoms of phobia, including physical symptoms, and discusses how a diagnosis of phobia is made. It also outlines some of the most common types of phobias, such as fears of spiders, insects, heights, and airplanes, and provides information on ways to combat phobias.
What is a Phobia?
A phobia is an intense fear or anxiety of something that poses little or no actual danger. For some individuals, even thinking about the thing or situation can bring on severe anxiety symptoms.
Many adults in the U.S. suffer from specific phobias with approximately 12% experiencing this disorder at some point in their lives.
Symptoms of Phobias
Signs that you may have a specific phobia:
- Marked fear about a specific object or situation
- In children, this may be seen as crying, tantrums, or clinging
- The object or situation that almost always provokes immediate fear and/or anxiety
- The object or situation is typically avoided or endured with intense fear
- The fear is usually out of proportion to the actual danger posed
- One should have at least 5 of the above symptoms during a 2 week period of time. It should cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.
There are several medical conditions that may mimic these symptoms (such as thyroid disorders). It is important to rule out these conditions before making the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.
Physical symptoms may accompany the phobia like:
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking or trembling
- Vomiting
The diagnosis is usually made if the symptoms last for about six months and have significant impairment in one’s life.
Types of Phobias you can have:
Essentially, phobias can be about almost anything. However, there are some fairly common things that are the object of one’s fear. There include:
- Spiders
- Insects
- Dogs
- Heights
- Storms
- Water
- Needles
- Invasive medical procedures
- Airplanes
- Elevators
- Effective Ways to Calm Anxiety at Night
Conclusion
In conclusion, a phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that can cause intense fear or anxiety in response to specific objects or situations. Symptoms may include physical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and heart palpitations. Common types of phobias include spiders, heights, and water. If you experience symptoms of a phobia that significantly impact your life, it is important to seek treatment from a mental health professional. There are many effective ways to combat fear and manage phobias, including therapy and medication.
