PHOBIAS

General Information

DEFINITION--

A type of anxiety that involves persistent, irrational or an exaggerated fear of a particular object, situation, activity, setting or even a bodily function (all of which are not basically dangerous or an appropriate source for anxiety). Most people with phobias recognize that the fear is inappropriate to the situation. Phobias are classified as:

• Social (fear of embarrassment in social situations such as public speaking or using public bathroom).
• Agoraphobia (fear of being alone or fear of public places).
• Simple (fear of a particular stimulus such as animals, insects, heights, flying, closed places, etc.).

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Nervous system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Females more than males; usually late adolescent or young adulthood.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

Anxiety symptoms occur when exposed to, or thinking of, the phobic stimulus:

• Palpitations.
• Sweating.
• Tremors.
• Flushing.
• Nausea.
• Experiencing negative thoughts and scary images.

CAUSES--Exact cause is unknown. Possibly a learned response (conditioning) such as being raised by someone with a similar fear or having an early frightening experience that has become associated with the object or situation. Other theories focus on the phobia as having a symbolic meaning.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Family history of anxiety.
• Separation anxiety in childhood.
• Presence of another psychiatric disorder.
• Perfectionist type individual.

HOW TO PREVENT--No specific preventive measure to prevent the phobia. Techniques are available to prevent or control the reaction.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical and social history and physical exam by a doctor (sometimes).

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care.
• Psychotherapy or counseling for severe phobias and for phobias that are life-style restricting. Several different types of therapy are used such as desensitization or flooding (See Glossary for both).
• Fear of flying clinics are available in many communities.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Life-style constrictions brought on by avoidance of the phobic stimulus. Agoraphobia in particular restricts an individual's activities and is severely disabling.
• Dependence on drugs or alcohol to overcome anxiety.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--

• Simple phobias--some spontaneously stop as a person ages; others don't cause any impairment if the object can be avoided (such as fear of snakes); for some, the people go through their fearful situations (such as flying); and others can be cured with treatment.
• Social phobias--may be overcome with treatment.
• Agoraphobia--person becomes more and more homebound without treatment (is often associated with panic disorder).

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• If you feel your fear taking hold: Shift your thoughts from negative--"The dog will bite"--to something realistic positive--"The dog is on a leash." Do something manageable--count backward from 1000, read a book, talk aloud, take deep-measured breaths. Shift your thoughts to pleasant ones. Practice relaxation techniques.
• Join a support group if available.
• See Resources for Additional Information.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe tranquillizers for a short period of time.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet. Avoid caffeine.

Call Your Doctor If

• You feel any phobia is restricting or disrupting your life.
• Symptoms of the phobia return after treatment.