Specific Phobia

A specific phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by intense or irrational fear of a particular object, situation, activity, or person. The fear or anxiety is consistently triggered by the specific object or situation, prompting the individual to actively avoid it.

1. The fear or anxiety is extreme compared to the actual danger that can be caused by the object or situation.
2. The fear or anxiety must last for at least 6 months.
3. The fear or anxiety causes impairment in your everyday functioning.

• Animal phobias (snakes, spiders, dogs)
• Phobias of the Natural Environment (heights, hurricanes, thunderstorms, darkness, germs)
• Situational phobias (airplanes, driving over a bridge, going to the dentist, MRI machine).
• Body based phobias (fear of seeing blood, receiving a blood test or shot, childbirth, medical procedures)
• Other Types (e.g., phobic avoidance of situations that may lead to choking, vomiting, or contracting an illness; in children, avoidance of loud sounds like balloons popping)