Phobia - simple/specific

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Fears and phobias

A phobia is a persistent and irrational fear of a particular type of object, animal, activity, or situation that poses little to no actual danger.

Specific phobias are a type of anxiety disorder in which exposure to the feared stimulus may provoke extreme anxiety or a panic attack. Specific phobias are among the most common of all psychiatric disorders, affecting up to 10% of the population.

Common phobias include the fear of:

• Blood, injections, and other medical procedures
• Certain animals (for instance, dogs or snakes)
• Enclosed spaces
• Flying
• High places
• Insects or spiders
• Lightning

Review Date: 02/14/2010
Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, Addiction and Forensic Psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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