Phobias
Mental HealthA phobia is a type of anxiety disorder — a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. There are many specific phobias.
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About Phobias
About this summary: Written by Swasthya Plus for Indian readers, using MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine as a reference source. For personal guidance, please consult a qualified Health Expert.
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder — a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger.
There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights; agoraphobia is a fear of public places; claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places. If you become extremely anxious or self-conscious in everyday social situations, you may have a social phobia. Other common phobias involve tunnels, driving, water, flying, animals, or blood.
People with phobias try to avoid what they are afraid of. If they cannot, they may experience:
- Panic and fear
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Trembling
- A strong desire to escape the situation
Phobias usually start in children or teens and continue into adulthood. The exact causes are not known, but they sometimes run in families.
Treatment helps most people with phobias. Options include medicines, therapy, or both.
Reference source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine