Is an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger?
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Phobias Show
Description A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places. If you become anxious and extremely self-conscious in everyday social situations, you could have a social phobia. Other common phobias involve tunnels, highway driving, water, flying, animals and blood. People with phobias try to avoid what they are afraid of. If they cannot, they may experience
Phobias usually start in children or teens, and continue into adulthood. The causes of specific phobias are not known, but they sometimes run in families. Treatment helps most people with phobias. Options include medicines, therapy or both. NIH: National Institute of Mental Health ProductsResearch ReportOctober 1, 2018
Systematic ReviewAugust 31, 2017 Research ProtocolSeptember 13, 2016 Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.These disorders fill people's lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated. There are several different types of anxiety disorders. Panic Disorder: Repeated episodes of intense fear that occur often and without warning. Physical symptoms include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, fear of death and dizziness. Many people with Panic Disorder develop intense anxiety between episodes, fearing the next panic attack. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Recurrent and unwanted thoughts and rituals which the person feels they cannot control. Rituals include excessive hand washing, counting, checking, and cleaning. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Persistent symptoms occurring after a traumatic experience or witnessing a terrifying event such as rape, war, child abuse, national disasters, etc. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, a numb feeling, depression, difficulty sleeping, feeling of anger or irritability and being easily startled. Phobias: Two of the major types of phobias are social phobia and specific phobia. Social phobia is experienced by an overwhelming and disabling fear of embarrassment or humiliation in social situations, which leads to an avoidance of many potentially pleasurable and meaningful activities. Specific phobia is an extreme, disabling and irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. This extreme fear leads to an avoidance of objects and situations and can lead to unnecessary limits in one's life. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Marked by persistent, excessive or unrealistic worry that occurs every day or possibly all day. The anxiety seems impossible to relieve and includes physical symptoms such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headache or nausea. If you are suffering from any of these problems, or know of someone who is, then feel free to come in or call Muskingum University Counseling Services at (740) 826-8142 or (740) 826-8091 to schedule an appointment to sit down and talk about your concerns.You can also set up an appointment by emailing us at . On this page See, Play and Learn
SummaryWhat is anxiety?Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision. It can help you to cope. The anxiety may give you a boost of energy or help you focus. But for people with anxiety disorders, the fear is not temporary and can be overwhelming. What are anxiety disorders?Anxiety disorders are conditions in which you have anxiety that does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships. What are the types of anxiety disorders?There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:
What causes anxiety disorders?The cause of anxiety is unknown. Factors such as genetics, brain biology and chemistry, stress, and your environment may play a role. Who is at risk for anxiety disorders?The risk factors for the different types of anxiety disorders can vary. For example, GAD and phobias are more common in women, but social anxiety affects men and women equally. There are some general risk factors for all types of anxiety disorders, including:
What are the symptoms of anxiety disorders?The different types of anxiety disorders can have different symptoms. But they all have a combination of:
Using caffeine, other substances, and certain medicines can make your symptoms worse. How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?To diagnose anxiety disorders, your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may also have a physical exam and lab tests to make sure that a different health problem is not the cause of your symptoms. If you don't have another health problem, you will get a psychological evaluation. Your provider may do it, or you may be referred to a mental health professional to get one. What are the treatments for anxiety disorders?The main treatments for anxiety disorders are psychotherapy (talk therapy), medicines, or both:
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health Start Here
What is intense fear called?A phobia is an intense fear of something that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger. Common phobias and fears include closed-in places, heights, highway driving, flying insects, snakes, and needles. However, you can develop phobias of virtually anything.
What is an extreme fear of something?A phobia is an intense fear reaction to a particular thing or a situation. With a phobia, the fear is out of proportion to the potential danger. But to the person with the phobia, the danger feels real because the fear is so very strong.
What causes intense fear?Many phobias develop as a result of having a negative experience or panic attack related to a specific object or situation. Genetics and environment. There may be a link between your own specific phobia and the phobia or anxiety of your parents — this could be due to genetics or learned behavior.
What are 3 types of phobias?There are three main groups of phobias which include: Specific (simple) phobias, which are the most common and focus on specific objects. Social phobia, which causes extreme anxiety in social or public situations, and. Agoraphobia, which is the fear of being alone in public places from which there is no easy escape.
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