Specific Phobias
Specific Phobias can be described as unreasonable, excessive and persistent anxiety caused by the presence, or anticipated presence, of a specific object, situation or activity. The sufferer typically realizes the anxiety is inappropriate for the situation but they feel powerless to overcome their fear. A diagnosis of Specific Phobia occurs when the anxiety and fear interferes with normal day-to-day life.
Types of Specific Phobias
Across the phobia spectrum, Specific Phobias seem to cluster in “themes.” They often induce the same feelings of fear in those who suffer from the phobia, but the actual objects that scare someone can differ greatly. For instance, someone with an animal phobia might not be afraid of needles, flying or heights. In fact, they might enjoy these things very much.
- Animal specific phobias: fear of spiders, mice, snakes, dogs, etc.
- Environmental specific phobias: fear of heights, thunderstorms, etc.
- Blood-Injection-Injury specific phobias: fear of needles, seeing blood, etc.
- Situational specific phobias: fear of flying, elevators, bridges, driving, etc.
Specific Phobias can appear suddenly, in children, adolescents or adults, and can sometimes be brought on by a traumatic event related to the specific phobia (i.e. fear of driving brought on by serious car accident). A Quick Fact about Specific Phobia
It is not uncommon to have a specific phobia. Approximately 6.3 million American adults age 18 to 54 have some sort specific phobia. Getting Help for a Specific Phobia
As with all Anxiety Disorders, Specific Phobias are generally treated with medications, therapy or a combination the two. Behavioral Therapy techniques have proven quite effective for managing specific phobias through a process called desensitization. Systematic desensitization combines relaxation and exposure to the phobic stimulus (either direct exposure or guided visualization) in hierarchical doses within a safe, controlled setting. The goal of this type of therapy is to 'extinguish' the inappropriate reaction to the stimulus of the specific phobia through gradual exposure.This treatment requires patients to confront their phobias, but they do so in a controlled environment so that they can get used to the negative feelings that they experience in smaller amounts. Most patients find that over time they are able to conquer their fears completely or at least manage them well enough that they no longer interfere with their lives.
