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Specific Phobias
A phobia is an excessive fear of certain things or situations which causes the person to avoid those things in their life or suffer extreme symptoms of anxiety if the things are unavoidable. Common phobias are rats, cats, dogs, birds, spiders, heights, water, storms, blood, injections, injuries, flying, lifts, hospitals and enclosed spaces. Often the fear is related to what might happen, such as vomiting or fainting, if the person is exposed to the thing they are trying to avoid.
Many people with phobias don’t seek treatment, as they can usually manage their lives by avoiding the things that they are afraid of. It is only if the phobia is restricting the person’s life significantly, (for example, fear of flying; or a child with a fear of dogs) that a person will look for assistance. |
