What is Phobia?

Phobia is used to describe a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous. Therefore it is an exaggerated, often disabling fear usually unclear to the subject. This common type of anxiety disorder is characterized by physiological symptoms such as; rapid heartbeat, tremulousness (trembling or shaking), flushing of the face, hot or cold flashes, perspiration (sweating), shortness of breath or smothering sensation, stomach disorders, nausea, elevated blood pressure, choking feelings, diarrhea, frequent urination, and faintness or dizziness.

Some common phobias are: acrophobia - fear of heights; claustrophobia - fear of closed places; europhobia/ailurophobia - fear of cats; xenophobia - fear of strangers; hemophobia - fear of blood and agoraphobia - fear of leaving a safe place (the familiar setting of the home).

Phobias are placed into three categories:

1. Specific phobias - fear of a single specific panic stimuli e.g. flying

2. Agoraphobia - (a generalized fear) fear of open or public spaces e.g. fear of leaving home.

3. Social phobias - fear of being with other people and social relationships e.g. Enochlophobia - Fear of crowds.

Treatment:
Systematic desensitization or exposure therapy is a technique used to treat phobias. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT (or other behavior therapies) are sometimes combined with medication. Treatment will usually depend on the severity of the phobia.

Related Article:
Phobias - What's Your Fear?