Phobias - Types of Phobias

A phobia is an intense, persistent and irrational fear of

• Objects (such as snakes or needles)
• Context (such as confined spaces or hospitals)
• Activities (such as flying or speaking on the phone)

Phobias are considered atypical behaviour as people show extreme fear in a non-threatening/moderately threatening situation. However, it is typical behaviour to experience fear.

The most common phobias are

• Agoraphobia -  Being in public, away from home
• School Phobia - Attending/ being in school
• Social Phobia - Embarrassment in social situations
• Acrophobia - Heights
• Arachnophobia - Spiders

Symptoms of phobias include

• Heart pounding
• Sweating
• Feeling sick
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of control

A phobia is not just the fear of a stimulus, but it is also the active avoiding of it. This what creates a major impact on people's lives.

Agoraphobia

• Highly restrictive, people may become confined to their homes
• Fear of context
• Fear of being trapped in a place/situation where they may become trapped or struggle to escape

Social Phobia

• Can be specific, such as eating in public, or general.
• Most know this is irrational, but still experience panic days or even weeks in advance to the event
• Fear of activities

School Phobia

• Non-attendance is related to anxiety
• May fear leaving home or embarrassing themselves
• Most common in 11-12 year old boys
• Fear of context

Acrophobia

• More extreme than a typical fear
• Might not be able to walk on the roof of a tall building, or may have to kneel or crawl due to fear of losing their sense of balance
• Extreme sufferers may avoid any heights
• Fear of context

Arachnophobia

• Most common animal based phobia
• In extreme cases. cartoons or the word will be triggering
• Less extreme cases require an actual spider
• May check bed or clothes for spiders
• More common in women
• Fear of object.