Fears & Phobias
Fear is a feeling as a result of perceived danger or threat, which causes a change in metabolic and organ functions and ultimately, a change in behaviour, such as fighting, fleeing, or freezing in the face of perceived traumatic events. Fear in humans may occur in response to a specific stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation of a future threat (referred to as the fight-or-flight response), which in extreme cases of fear (horror and terror) can be a freeze response or paralysis.
Fear is modulated by the process of cognition and learning. Thus fear is judged as rational or appropriate and irrational or inappropriate. An irrational fear is referred to as a phobia.
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. The phobic reaction typically results in a rapid onset of fear and is present from more than six months. The affected person goes to great lengths to avoid the situation or object, to a degree greater than the actual danger posed. I the feared object cannot be avoided, this results in significant distress.
Phobias are divided into specific phobias, social phobia, and agoraphobia.
Specific phobias include those to certain animals (e.g., spiders, snakes, dogs, birds, etc.), natural environment situations (e.g., heights, water, etc.), blood, injury or vomit, and specific situations (e.g., needles, confined spaces, flying, driving, etc.).
Social phobia involves the affected person fearing the judgment of others.
Agoraphobia is the abnormal fear of being helpless in a situation from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing that is characterised initially by panic or anticipatory anxiety and finally, by the avoidance of open or public spaces.
Fear is modulated by the process of cognition and learning. Thus fear is judged as rational or appropriate and irrational or inappropriate. An irrational fear is referred to as a phobia.
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. The phobic reaction typically results in a rapid onset of fear and is present from more than six months. The affected person goes to great lengths to avoid the situation or object, to a degree greater than the actual danger posed. I the feared object cannot be avoided, this results in significant distress.
Phobias are divided into specific phobias, social phobia, and agoraphobia.
Specific phobias include those to certain animals (e.g., spiders, snakes, dogs, birds, etc.), natural environment situations (e.g., heights, water, etc.), blood, injury or vomit, and specific situations (e.g., needles, confined spaces, flying, driving, etc.).
Social phobia involves the affected person fearing the judgment of others.
Agoraphobia is the abnormal fear of being helpless in a situation from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing that is characterised initially by panic or anticipatory anxiety and finally, by the avoidance of open or public spaces.