Agoraphobia , a fear of places or situations that trigger fear or helplessness, is singled out as a particularly common fear with its own unique diagnosis. Social phobias, which are fears related to social situations, are also singled out with a unique diagnosis.
Specific phobias are a broad category of unique phobias related to specific objects and situations. Specific phobias affect an estimated Phobias come in all shapes and sizes.
Because there are an infinite number of objects and situations, the list of specific phobias is quite long. This is typically done by combining a Greek or sometimes Latin prefix that describes the phobia with the -phobia suffix. For example, a fear of water would be named by combining hydro water and phobia fear.
This is actually more common than you might imagine. These panic attacks can be so uncomfortable that people do everything they can to avoid them in the future. For example, if you have a panic attack while sailing, you may fear sailing in the future, but you may also fear panic attacks or fear developing hydrophobia.
Studying specific phobias is a complicated process. A survey of more than 8, respondents published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that some of the most common phobias include:.
Specific phobias tend to be incredibly specific. Some so much so that they may only affect a handful of people at a time. The most effective treatment for specific phobias is a type of psychotherapy called exposure therapy. During exposure therapy, you work with a psychologist to learn how to desensitize yourself to the object or situation that you fear. This treatment helps you change your thoughts and feelings about the object or situation, so that you can learn to control your reactions.
A phobia is an uncontrollable, irrational, and lasting fear of a certain object, situation, or activity. This fear can be so overwhelming that a person may go to great lengths to avoid the source of this fear. One response can be a panic attack. This is a sudden, intense fear that lasts for several minutes. It happens when there is no real danger. About 19 million Americans have one or more phobias that range from mild to severe.
Phobias can happen in early childhood. But they are often first seen between ages 15 and They affect both men and women equally. But men are more likely to seek treatment for phobias. Research suggests that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the start of phobias. Certain phobias have been linked to a very bad first encounter with the feared object or situation. People with specific phobia know that their fear is extreme.
But they can't overcome it. The problem is diagnosed only when the specific fear interferes with daily activities of school, work, or home life. There is no known cause, although they seem to run in families.
These can include monophobia, or a fear of being left alone, and claustrophobia , a fear of feeling trapped in closed spaces. The most common specific phobias in the U. These are far from the only specific phobias. People can develop a phobia of almost anything. Also, as society changes, the list of potential phobias changes. For instance, nomophobia is the fear of being without a cell phone or computer. It is unusual for a phobia to start after the age of 30 years, and most begin during early childhood, the teenage years, or early adulthood.
These usually develop before the age of 4 to 8 years. In some cases, it may be the result of a traumatic early experience. One example would be claustrophobia developing over time after a younger child has an unpleasant experience in a confined space. Phobias that start during childhood can also be caused by witnessing the phobia of a family member. A child whose mother has arachnophobia, for example, is much more likely to develop the same phobia.
More research is needed to confirm exactly why a person develops agoraphobia or social anxiety. Researchers currently believe complex phobias are caused by a combination of life experiences, brain chemistry, and genetics. If a person faces a similar event later on in life, those areas of the brain retrieve the stressful memory, sometimes more than once. This causes the body to experience the same reaction.
In a phobia, the areas of the brain that deal with fear and stress keep retrieving the frightening event inappropriately. Researchers have found that phobias are often linked to the amygdala , which lies behind the pituitary gland in the brain.
These put the body and mind in a highly alert and stressed state. Phobias are highly treatable, and people who have them are nearly always aware of their disorder.
This helps diagnosis a great deal. Speaking to a psychologist or psychiatrist is a useful first step in treating a phobia that has already been identified. If the phobia does not cause severe problems, most people find that simply avoiding the source of their fear helps them stay in control. Many people with specific phobias will not seek treatment as these fears are often manageable. It is not possible to avoid the triggers of some phobias, as is often the case with complex phobias.
In these cases, speaking to a mental health professional can be the first step to recovery. Most phobias can be cured with appropriate treatment. There is no single treatment that works for every person with a phobia.
Breathe in the clean, fresh air. Spritz on your favorite perfume. Taste — Slowly eat a favorite treat, savoring each bite. Sip a cup of coffee or herbal tea. Chew on a stick of gum. Enjoy a mint or your favorite hard candy. Touch — Give yourself a hand or neck massage.
Cuddle a pet. Wrap yourself in a soft blanket. Sit outside in the cool breeze. When fear or anxiety starts to carry you away, meditating can help stop it in its tracks. And with regular practice, meditation boosts activity in the area of the brain responsible for feelings of serenity, helping to quell fear and panic before they strike.
The anxious thoughts that trigger and fuel phobias are usually negative and unrealistic. By writing down the negative thoughts you have when confronted by your phobia, you can begin to challenge these unhelpful ways of thinking. Many times, these thoughts fall into the following categories:. Fortune telling. All dogs are dangerous. The plane is going to crash! Use the following example to get started.
There are air vents which would stop the air from running out. Could you do anything to resolve this situation if it does occur? For example:. Authors: Melinda Smith, M. Craske, M. Lancet London, England , , — Walter, H. Anxiety Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. NHS Inform. Fears and Phobias — Information geared to teenagers about fears, phobias, and treatment. NAMI Helpline — Trained volunteers can provide information, referrals, and support for those suffering from anxiety disorders in the U.
Call National Alliance on Mental Illness. Find a Therapist — Search for anxiety disorder treatment providers in the U. Anxiety Disorders Association of America.
Support Groups — List of support groups in the U. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Call: Anxiety UK.
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