Phobias

Phobia: the persistent & irrational fear of an object or

situation

• Phobias are an anxiety disorder

• Males & females are equally likely to have a phobia– Males are more likely to get

treatment

• 12% of Americans have a Phobia

• It is possible to have multiple phobias

• Phobias can be genetic & environmentally learned

• Phobias are the most common psychiatric illness among women

• Alcoholics are more likely to develop a phobia

Signs & Symptoms

• Common Signs & Symptoms:– Trembling– Sweating– Shortness of breath– Rapid heartbeat – Fainting– Choking sensation– Chest pain– Nausea– Dizziness– Avoidance

Types of Phobias

• classified by the object/situation the patient reacts to or avoids

• There are three main types of Phobias

1. Social Phobia2. Specific Phobia3. Agoraphobia

Social Phobias

• Fear of being humiliated and embarrassed

• Anxiety is felt before, during, and after the outing/ event

• Examples: Public speaking(glossophobia), meeting people(Anthropophobia), and using a public restroom(Paruresis)

Specific Phobias

• Feared object is not harmful under normal conditions

• Examples:– Astraphobia –fear of thunder and

lightening– Aerophobia –fear of flying– Cynophobia –fear of dogs– Acrophobia –fear of heights

Specific Phobias cont.

• There is a wide range of feared objects, some are rare

• Examples: – Aulophobia – the fear of flutes– Catoptrophobia – the fear of mirrors– Cacophobia – the fear of ugliness– Ereuthphobia – the fear of red– Nelophobia – the fear of glass– Pogonophobia – the fear of beards

Agoraphobia

• A phobic attack in a place where escape is difficult or embarrassing– Crowded areas including elevators,

streets, and churches

• Generally developed over a series of panic attacks

• Approx. 1.8 million Americans/year

Solutions & Treatment

• Not all phobias need treatment

• Any drugs which are prescribed are to help aid the signs & symptoms and do not actually cure the phobia itself

• Therapy is the most efficient manner of treating a phobia

Sources• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus

/phobias.html• http://www.helpguide

.org/mental/phobia_symptoms_types_treatment

.htm

• http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/phobias/Pages/index.aspx

• www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/ss/slideshow-phobias

• http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1448/mainpageS1448P0.html