Specific phobia
Specific phobia
Specific phobia (pronunciation: /spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈfoʊbiə/) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. The term originates from the Greek words "phobos" meaning fear and "specifus" meaning particular or specified.
Symptoms
People with a specific phobia experience intense fear or anxiety when they encounter or even think about the specific object or situation they fear. The fear is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the object or situation. Symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, and a strong desire to avoid the object or situation.
Causes
The exact cause of specific phobias is not known, but they often develop in childhood and may be associated with personal experiences or learned behavior. Some research suggests that specific phobias may be related to genetics and the brain's response to fear.
Treatment
Treatment for specific phobias often involves cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help individuals learn to manage their fear and anxiety. In some cases, medication may be used to help manage symptoms.
Related Terms
- Anxiety disorder: A category of mental disorders characterized by feelings of anxiety and fear.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to harmful behaviors or feelings.
- Exposure therapy: A type of therapy that involves gradually exposing individuals to the object or situation they fear in order to help them manage their fear.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Specific phobia
- Wikipedia's article - Specific phobia
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski