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- Specific phobic disorders consist of persistent, unreasonable, intense fears (phobias) of specific situations, circumstances, or objects. The fears provoke anxiety and avoidance. The causes of phobias are unknown. Phobic disorders are diagnosed based on history. Treatment is mainly with exposure therapy. (See also Overview of Anxiety Disorders.)
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What are the symptoms of specific phobias?
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Jan 22, 2021 · According to the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the symptoms associated with specific phobias — fear, anxiety, and avoidance — persist for...
- Types of Phobias
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- How to Prevent phobia-related Panic Attacks
- Related Conditions
- Living with Phobias
There are three main types of phobias: social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and specific phobias. The former two were previously known as complex phobias and are generally considered more severe.Specific phobias are sometimes called simple phobias.
People with phobias experience symptoms of distress, anxiety, and/or panic attackswhen faced with the source of their fear. These may include: 1. Feelings of dread or terror 2. Excessive sweating 3. Rapid heart rate 4. Shortness of breath 5. Trembling 6. Desire to escape 7. Disorientation and confusion 8. Difficulty with balance and coordination 9....
It’s not entirely clear what causes some people to develop phobias. However, researchers have identified the following as potential contributing factors: 1. Genetics: Genetic factors may increase your risk of receiving a diagnosis for a specific phobia, agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder at some point. Twin studies suggest that some phobias ar...
A therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental healthcare provider can diagnose you with a phobia using the criteria for specific phobias, agoraphobia, or social anxiety disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition(DSM-5). During your session, you can expect your provider to ask you about your persona...
Some types of psychotherapy are considered the gold standard of treatment for phobias. Some healthcare providers may also prescribe medication—such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) or sedatives—to treat certain symptoms or to offer short-term relief during a phobia-induced panic or anxiety attack. Types of psychotherapy that have b...
You can’t stop yourself from developing a phobia. However, you may be able to prevent some phobia-related panic or anxiety attacks with the following short-term strategies: 1. Using relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises 2. Avoiding caffeine 3. Reducing alcohol intake 4. Prioritizing sleep 5. Practicing mindfulness techniques, incl...
Up to 81% of people with phobias have co-occurring mental health conditions—meaning, you may live with both your phobia and one of the following conditions at the same time: 1. Other anxiety disorders 2. Major depressive disorder 3. Eating disorders 4. Mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder 5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) Studies suggest th...
Some phobias resolve on their own without treatment, especially among children and teens. For example, around 2.9% of children experience social phobia, in comparison to just 0.3% of adolescents. This suggests that many childhood fears can go away over time. If left untreated, phobias may lead to social isolation, relationship conflicts, and other ...
- Laura Dorwart
Specific phobias consist of persistent, unreasonable, intense fears (phobias) of specific situations, circumstances, or objects. The fears provoke anxiety and avoidance. The causes of phobias are unknown. Phobias are diagnosed based on clinical history.
Apr 29, 2021 · According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), specific phobias are typically broken down into five subcategories: Blood, injection, and injury. Includes fear...
Dec 4, 2023 · How Phobia Is Diagnosed. A mental health provider uses criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5) to diagnose a phobia. People diagnosed with a specific phobia have excessive and persistent fear and/or avoidance of specific objects or situations.
- Ruth Edwards
Common types of specific phobias are fears of: Situations, such as airplanes, driving, enclosed spaces or going to school. Nature, such as thunderstorms, heights or the dark. Animals or insects, such as dogs, snakes or spiders. Blood, shots or injuries, such as needles, accidents or medical procedures.
Specific phobias are common anxiety disorders that affect about 8% of women and 3% of men yearly. The most common specific phobias include fear of animals (zoophobia), fear of heights (acrophobia), and fear of thunderstorms (astraphobia or brontophobia).
