A Phobia presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos

Phobia of the Day: Agoraphobia

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an irrational response.

A Phobia presents itself in a number of categories and is a source of fear and anxiety for a person.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos

A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving excessive and persistent fear of a situation or object. Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an immediate anxiety response.

Most specific phobias fall into one of four major categories:

  • Fears of the natural environment
  • Fears related to animals
  • Fear related to medical treatments or issues
  • Fears related to specific situations

Phobia of the Day: Agoraphobia is defined in many different ways, but in general, is known as a fear of a situation where escape may be difficult

Other definitions include the fear of leaving home alone, the fear of crowds, or the fear of having a panic attack in public. People with agoraphobia tend to think of places outside of their homes as unsafe. Individuals with agoraphobia frequently have symptoms of a panic attacks in situations that they fear. A primary symptom is an intense fear of being in places or situations that they do not want to be in. Agoraphobia symptoms include:

  • Hyperventilation
  • Fear of humiliation
  • Feeling a loss of control
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Fear of a panic attack
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

SELF-CARE TIPS FOR PHOBIAS THAT BRING ON ANXIETY

  • Talk to someone you trust. 
  • Learn to manage panic and anxiety. 
  • Look into joining a support group. 
  • Use self-help resources. 
  • Take a course for your specific phobia.

RECENT PHOBIA WORD POSTS:

Cyberphobia

Koinoniphobia

Ephebiphobia

Claustrophobia

Cibophobia

Cynophobia

Cacophobia

Do you have a phobia you suffer from that you’d like to share?

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