A phobia is an anxiety disorder involving fear of a situation or object. Image: Phobia Stock Photos
Phobia of the Day: What is Anthropophobia?
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: Anthropophobia is a fear of people.
Anthropophobia is a fear of people. People with anthropophobia may avoid crowds, fear eye contact or worry that they are being judged. Anthropophobia is not a clinical disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but many people consider it a specific phobia. Many people with anthropophobia feel “anticipatory anxiety.” Anticipatory anxiety is dread, worry or fear about an upcoming event. With anthropophobia, people may worry excessively before being around other people. They may feel anxious about:
- Being judged by others.
- Being watched.
- Making eye contact.
- This anxiety often causes physical symptoms. People may experience:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Flushed skin.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations.
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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