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Questions and Answers
What characterizes a specific phobia?
What characterizes a specific phobia?
Which demographic is more likely to experience specific phobias?
Which demographic is more likely to experience specific phobias?
At what age do blood-injection-injury type and natural environment type phobias commonly first appear?
At what age do blood-injection-injury type and natural environment type phobias commonly first appear?
What is a common comorbidity found alongside specific phobia?
What is a common comorbidity found alongside specific phobia?
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Which statement about the prevalence of specific phobias is true?
Which statement about the prevalence of specific phobias is true?
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Study Notes
Specific Phobia
- Specific phobia is an irrational fear of an object, place, or situation that's out of proportion to its actual danger. It leads to avoidance of these triggers.
- Diagnosis requires significant anxiety, possibly panic, upon exposure.
- The person recognizes the fear as excessive and illogical, causing substantial distress.
- Exposure or even the anticipation of the trigger can provoke panic attacks.
Epidemiology
- Specific phobias are the most prevalent mental disorders, affecting an estimated 5-10% of the population.
- Lifetime prevalence of specific phobia is 10%.
- Specific phobia is the most frequent mental illness in women and the second most common in men (following substance use disorders).
- The prevalence is 14-16% in women, twice as high as in men (5-7%) in cases of blood-injection-injury-related phobias.
- Blood-injection-injury phobia and natural environment type phobias typically emerge between ages 5-9, although onset can be later.
- Situational phobia (excluding fear of heights) usually appears in the mid-20s (similar to agoraphobia's typical onset).
Comorbidity
- Common co-occurring conditions include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders.
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Description
Explore the nature and impact of specific phobias through this quiz. Understand their prevalence, symptoms, and the psychological implications of such irrational fears. Discover how specific phobias affect individuals and their daily lives.
