Phobias are common and can often be effectively managed with appropriate treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with a phobia, seeking help from a mental health professional can be beneficial.
A specific phobia is a strong fear and avoidance of a particular object or situation, without spontaneous panic attacks or fear of social humiliation. Direct exposure to the phobic object or situation may cause panic, and the fear significantly disrupts daily life despite being recognized as irrational.
Common specific phobias include:
Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape might be difficult, often leading to avoidance of open spaces, crowds, or traveling alone.
Aerophobia: Fear of planes crashing or being hijacked.
Doctor/Dentist Phobias: Fear of painful medical or dental procedures.
Thunder/Lightning Phobias: Fear of storms, often starting in childhood.
Blood-Injury Phobia: Fear of blood or injury, often causing fainting.
Disease Phobia: Fear of contracting diseases like cancer.
Source: The anxiety &Phobia Workbook-Edmund J. Bourne.
Photo by Jocke Wulcan on Unsplash
Comments