5 Questions
What is specific phobia?
Specific phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an extreme, unreasonable, and irrational fear associated with a specific object, situation, or concept which poses little or no actual danger.
What are the symptoms of specific phobia?
The symptoms of specific phobia include avoidance of the object or situation, persistence of the fear, and significant distress or problems functioning associated with the fear.
How does a phobia differ from a normal fear?
A phobia is an extreme type of fear where great lengths are taken to avoid being exposed to the particular danger, whereas fears are common and normal.
How common are phobias?
Phobias are considered the most common psychiatric disorder, affecting about 10% of the population in the US, according to the DSM-5.
What percentage of patients with specific phobia have more than one phobia?
About 75% of patients with specific phobia have more than one specific phobia.
Study Notes
Phobias and Specific Phobia
- A specific phobia is an excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that poses little or no actual danger.
Symptoms of Specific Phobia
- Symptoms include excessive anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and panic attacks in response to the feared object, situation, or activity.
- Physical symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, sweating, and nausea.
Phobia vs Normal Fear
- A phobia differs from a normal fear in that it is excessive and interferes with daily life, causing significant distress or impairment.
- Normal fears are proportional to the actual danger and do not interfere with daily life.
Prevalence of Phobias
- Phobias are common mental health disorders, affecting approximately 12.5% of adults at some point in their lives.
Multiple Phobias
- About 75% of patients with specific phobia have more than one phobia.
Test your knowledge on specific phobias with this quiz! Explore various objects, situations, and concepts that can trigger extreme and irrational fears. Challenge yourself to identify different types of specific phobias and learn more about the associated symptoms and effects.
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