Phobia

From WikiMD's medical encyclopedia

(Redirected from Phobias)

Dr.Prab.jpg

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Phobia
Little Miss Muffet 2 - WW Denslow - Project Gutenberg etext 18546.jpg
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Intense fear or anxiety triggered by a specific object or situation
Complications N/A
Onset Typically childhood or adolescence
Duration Long-term
Types N/A
Causes Genetic predisposition, traumatic experience
Risks Family history, stressful life events
Diagnosis Clinical assessment, DSM-5 criteria
Differential diagnosis Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder
Prevention N/A
Treatment Cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, medication
Medication N/A
Prognosis Good with treatment
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. This fear often leads to avoidance behavior and can significantly interfere with a person's daily life and functioning.

CARTOON-O- PHOBIA

Introduction

Phobias represent an exaggerated or unrealistic fear response towards specific stimuli. The intensity of the fear is disproportionate to the actual threat posed, often leading to severe distress and impairment in everyday activities. Commonly feared stimuli can range from animals, such as in Arachnophobia (fear of spiders), to situations like Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) or Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces).[1]

Types of Phobias

  • Phobias are generally categorized into three main types:
  • Specific Phobias: These involve an intense, irrational fear of specific objects or situations, such as snakes (Ophidiophobia), heights (Acrophobia), or flying (Aviophobia). Specific phobias are the most common type of phobia.
  • Social Phobia (also known as Social Anxiety Disorder): This refers to an overwhelming fear of social situations, public humiliation, or intense scrutiny by others.
  • Agoraphobia: This involves a fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult, or where help may not be available should panic symptoms occur.[2]

Causes and Risk Factors

  • The exact causes of phobias are not fully understood, but they are likely to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Some phobias may develop following a traumatic event, while others may be learned responses from early childhood experiences. Certain phobias, like those related to animals or the environment, may have evolutionary roots.[3]
  • Risk factors for developing phobias include a family history of anxiety disorders, personal history of mental health disorders, and a tendency towards negative affectivity or high levels of anxiety sensitivity.[4]

Symptoms

  • The primary symptom of a phobia is an intense and persistent fear that is triggered by a specific object or situation. This fear is often accompanied by physical symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate, shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, and a strong desire to escape the situation.
  • Avoidance behavior is also a key characteristic of phobias. Individuals will often go to great lengths to avoid the feared object or situation, which can significantly impact their daily activities and quality of life.[5]

Diagnosis

  • The diagnosis of a phobia is typically based on a detailed clinical interview, where the healthcare provider assesses the patient's symptoms, fear triggers, and the impact of the fear on their daily life.
  • The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, provides specific criteria for diagnosing various types of phobias.[6]

Treatment

  • Treatment for phobias often involves psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help individuals understand and change their thought patterns leading to fear and avoidance. Exposure therapy, a type of CBT, involves gradual, repeated exposure to the feared object or situation until the fear response is diminished.
  • In some cases, medication may be used as part of the treatment. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers are some of the medications that might be considered.[7]

Epidemiology

Phobias are the most common type of psychiatric disorders in the general population. It's estimated that around 10% of individuals in the U.S. have a specific phobia, while social phobia affects approximately 7% of the population. Agoraphobia without panic disorder affects about 1.7% of adults.[8]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
  2. ↑ Craske, M. G., et al. (2017). Panic Disorder: A Review of DSM-IV Panic Disorder and Proposals for DSM-V. Depression and Anxiety, 27(2), 93–112.
  3. ↑ Marks, I. M., & Nesse, R. M. (1994). Fear and fitness: An evolutionary analysis of anxiety disorders. Ethology and Sociobiology, 15(5–6), 247–261.
  4. ↑ Otto, M. W., Pollack, M. H., & Maki, K. M. (2000). Empirically Supported Treatments for Panic Disorder: Costs, Benefits, and Stepped Care. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(4), 556–563.
  5. ↑ LeBeau, R. T., et al. (2010). Specific Phobia: A Review of DSM-IV Specific Phobia and Preliminary Recommendations for DSM-V. Depression and Anxiety, 27(2), 148–167.
  6. ↑ American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
  7. ↑ Ipser, J. C., & Stein, D. J. (2015). Evidence-based pharmacotherapy of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 18(7).
  8. ↑ Kessler, R. C., et al. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593–602.
WHO Rod.svg
This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!
PubMed
Wikipedia
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.

W8mdlogo.png
W8MD weight loss doctors team

W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:

NYC weight loss doctor appointments

Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.

Linkedin_Shiny_Icon Facebook_Shiny_Icon YouTube_icon_(2011-2013) Google plus


Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/w/index.php?title=Phobia&oldid=6548221"

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD