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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA phobia is an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of an object or situation that poses little real danger. Unlike the brief anxiety most people feel when they give a speech or take a test, a phobia is long-lasting, causes intense physical and psychological distress, and can affect your ability to function normally at work or in social settings.
Several types of phobias exist. Some people fear large, open spaces. Others are unable to tolerate certain social situations. And still others have a specific phobia, such as a fear of snakes, elevators or flying.
Not all phobias need treatment, but if a phobia affects your daily life, a number of therapies are available that can help you overcome your fears — often permanently.
- Let's talk facts about phobias. American Psychiatric Association. http://healthyminds.org/multimedia/phobias.pdf. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Kendler KS, et al. A longitudinal twin study of fears from middle childhood to early adulthood: Evidence for a developmentally dynamic genome. Archives of General Psychiatry. 2008;65(4):421-429.
- Ciechanowski P, et al. Overview of phobic disorders in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Social phobia (Social anxiety disorder). National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/social-phobia/index.shtml. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Anxiety disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/complete-publication.shtml. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Fava GA, et al. Long-term outcome of social phobia treated by exposure. Psychological Medicine. 2001;31:899-905.
- Agoraphobia. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Specific phobias. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Social phobia. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Mancini C. Social phobia in children and adolescents. Canadian Psychiatric Association. http://ww1.cpa-apc.org:8080/Publications/Archives/Bulletin/2001/May/Social.asp. Accessed Oct. 31, 2008.
- Bruce TJ, et al. Social anxiety disorder: A common unrecognized social disorder. American Family Physician. 1999;60(8):2311-2322.
