Phobias
Phobias affect 12% of population, 26.4 million Americans.
Fear and anxiety are normal healthy responses to harmful, dangerous or unknown situations. Such responses alert us to changes in our environment and can protect us from harm. Avoiding such dangerous situations is a healthy choice.
Individuals with phobias over react to specific situations that are not deemed harmful or dangerous. Phobias can be described as extreme anxiety or irrational fears connected with specific situations or circumstances and attempts to avoid these situations. All phobias are rooted in anxiety and share similar causal factors and treatment options.
The symptoms are severe enough to interfere with ability to fully function. There are three major types of phobias: agoraphobia, specific phobia, social phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
- Anxiety symptoms
- Anticipatory anxiety - anxiety even thinking of the fearful situation
- Fight/ flight response to feared situation
- Panic attacks when confronted with feared situation
- Avoidance of situations where fears have arisen
- Fear of dying, going crazy or embarrassing self
Causal Factors:
Biologic, Genetic, Sociologic and/or Situational factors.
Treatment Options:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Medication, and/or Anxiety Management Techniques.