specific phobia

ABOUT/DESCRIPTION
Specific Phobias are 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.

Across the phobia spectrum, Specific Phobias seem to cluster in "themes."

• Animal specific: fear of spiders, mice, snakes, dogs, etc.
• Environmental specific: fear of heights, thunderstorms, etc.
• Blood-Injection-Injury specific: fear of needles, seeing blood, etc.
• Situational: fear of flying, elevators, bridges, driving, etc.

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 a serious car accident).

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QUICK FACTS

Approximately 6.3 million American adults age 18 to 54 have some sort specific phobia.

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GETTING HELP

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 phobias through a process called desensitization. Systematic desensitization combines relaxation and exposure to the phobic stimulus (either direct exposure or guided visualization) in hierarchal doses within a safe, controlled setting. The goal of this type of therapy is to 'extinguish' the inappropriate reaction to the phobic stimulus through gradual exposure.

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