Phobia

Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive, persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. The fear is disproportionate to the actual danger, is difficult to control, and leads to avoidance or extreme distress. Unlike everyday fear, phobias cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, and the fear is not better explained by another mental disorder or by a general medical condition.

There are several categories. Specific phobias involve identifiable objects or scenarios such as animals, heights, or injections. Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, involves fear of scrutiny or negative evaluation in social or performance situations. Agoraphobia is a fear of places or situations where escape might be difficult, often leading to avoidance of crowds, travel, or leaving home. Some people have multiple phobias.

Causes are multifactorial, including genetic vulnerability, temperament, learned experiences (for example, conditioning or observation), and brain mechanisms that regulate fear, such as the amygdala. Phobias often begin in childhood or adolescence and may persist into adulthood if untreated. They may be associated with other anxiety disorders, depression, or substance use.

Treatment typically involves exposure-based therapies that gradually and systematically confront the feared object or situation, often combined with cognitive-behavioral techniques. Other approaches include medication for short-term relief or comorbid conditions, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or anxiolytics, used under medical supervision. Early intervention and supportive therapies can improve outcomes.