A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos
Phobia of the Day: What is Iatrophobia?
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 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: Iatrophobia, an extreme fear of doctors and medical care
Iatrophobia is an extreme and overwhelming fear of doctors, medical tests, and medical care. Although many people feel some anxiety or fear before visiting the doctor or undergoing medical tests, someone with iatrophobia will experience fear, anxiety, or panic that is intense, irrational, and overwhelming. Their fear will also be out of proportion with the situation and the potential risks. The symptoms of iatrophobia can be similar to the symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks. The symptoms can be both physiological and psychological and can include:
- Extreme and overwhelming feelings of fear, anxiety, or panic.
- Extreme feelings of dread or terror.
- Obsessively checking for signs of illness, such as checking your heart rate and blood pressure or looking for lumps.
- Feeling like you are out of control of the situation.
- Experiencing nightmares about going to the doctor or unusual nightmares in the lead-up to going to the doctor.
- Anticipatory anxiety in the lead-up to going to the doctor.
- Feelings of anger, agitation, or irritability.
- Having the urge to run away or hide.
- Feeling defenseless or vulnerable.
- Feeling trapped and unable to escape.
- Feeling detached from reality or from yourself.
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.
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