Phobias - What are they?

Many people suffer from phobias, they are intensely and irrationally afraid of specific things or situations, like dogs, tunnels, and needles. A person might have no fear of traveling at high speeds, but panic in the subway.

Some phobics are afraid of social settings. Agoraphobia, a condition that is often related to panic disorder, is a fear of being in any situation that might provoke a panic attack, or from which escape might be difficult if one occurred.

An adult with a phobia may be aware that his or her fears are irrational. But this knowledge does not lessen the fear. Many find that even thinking about facing the feared object or situation brings on a panic attack or severe anxiety.

More than one in 10 people suffer from particular phobias over their lifetime. Scientists do not know what causes them. They do appear to run in families and are a little more prevalent in women.

Phobias usually first appear in adolescence or adulthood. They start suddenly and tend to be more persistent than childhood phobias. Childhood phobias, like a fear of animals, usually disappear over time. But in some cases, for unknown reasons, they may continue into adulthood.

People with phobias do not always seek treatment. Some may have phobias that are easily avoided. Sometimes, however, phobias may force a person to make important career and personal decisions. This can be particularly the case with social phobia, which is an intense fear of becoming humiliated in social situations. This phobia often runs in families and may be accompanied by depression or alcoholism.

Although this disorder is often thought of as shyness, the two are not the same. A shy person can be uneasy around others, but does not experience extreme anxiety when they think about a social situation. A person with a social phobia may not be shy at all. Only in a particular situation, like giving a speech, do they experience intense anxiety. Social phobia can disrupt normal life and interfere with a person's career or social relationships. The dread of a social event can begin weeks in advance, and symptoms can be quite debilitating.

See also:
- What is Anxiety?
- What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
- What are Panic Attacks?
- What is an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
- What is a Post-Tramautic Stress Disorder?

Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.