Phobias

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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.

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 particular animals (for instance, dogs or snakes), insects or spiders, high places, lightening, flying, and blood. People with specific phobias often realize their fear is irrational, but are unable to prevent it.

Review Date: 11/15/2006
Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.