Phobia

Question 1

Phobia Facts

Answer 1

A fear may become a phobia when anticipation, or anxiety, as well as the mental and/or physical response is so great that it is debilitating or interferes with everyday life.

Question 2

Phobias occur in several forms;

Answer 2

1. The fear associated with a phobia can focus on a particular object (Specific Phobia)
2. Fear of embarrassment/judgment in a public setting (Social Phobia)

People who have phobias are often so overwhelmed by their anxious feelings that they avoid the feared objects or situations.

Question 3

How Common Are Phobias?

Answer 3

1. Approximately four to five percent (4 to 5%) of the population has one or more
   specific
2. Phobias occur in people of all ages. The average age of onset for Social Phobia is between 15 and 20 years of age,

Question 4

Four Categories of a Specific Phobia:

Answer 4

Natural Environment
Mutilation/Medical
Animal
Situational,

Question 5

What Factors May Cause Phobias?

Answer 5

Age
People
Temperament
Negative Experience
Traumatic Event
Learning or hearing of the negative experience
Heredity

Question 6

What Treatments Are Available for Phobias?

Answer 6

Medications- Help ease anxiety
Relaxation and breathing techniques
Exposure Therapy- It involves helping patients become gradually more comfortable with situations that frighten them.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) - treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.

Question 7

Can People with Phobias Also Have Other Physical and Emotional Illnesses?

Answer 7

1. People who suffer from a Phobia, particularly Social Phobia, may also have difficulties with Substance Use.
2. Many people with Social or Specific Phobia become so anxious that they experience panic attacks,