Specific Phobias

When does a fear become a phobia?  In short, when it starts to get in the way.  We all have our dislikes; the things that make us jump or squirm.  But for some people, the fear associated with these specific things or situations can become much more intense.  With a true phobia, this fear is heightened to the degree that it starts to get in the way of functioning.  People start to avoid the triggers and the fear can begin to generalize.  For example, a spider phobia may initially be evoked solely in the presence of spiders, but it may gradually expand over time to include situations where there might be a spider — basements, garages, old barns, the outdoors, etc.  In short time, a very specific phobia can start to interfere with daily functioning.

Similar to Panic Disorder, some phobias may involve anxiety about anxiety.  Claustrophobia, for example, is ostensibly about fears of enclosed spaces, though for most sufferers it is much more about fears of becoming anxious while in enclosed spaces — how will you escape, what will you do if you get anxious, etc.  It is quite common for individuals with phobias to have other problems with anxiety: additional specific phobias as well as other anxiety disorders.

Phobia Resources

Mayo Clinic — Specific Phobias

Society of Clinical Psychology — Exposure Therapy for Specific Phobias

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) — Specific Phobias