Childhood phobias occur most commonly between the ages of 5 and 9, and tend to be short term. Most phobias begin later in life, especially in people in their 20s. Adult phobias tend to last for years, and are less likely to go away on their own. Without proper treatment, untreated phobia can increase an adult's risk of other types of psychiatric illness, especially other anxiety disorders, depression and substance abuse.

Symptoms

The symptoms of phobia are:

• Excessive, unreasonable, persistent feelings of fear or anxiety that are triggered by a particular object, activity or situation - The feelings are either irrational or out of proportion to any actual threat. For example, while anyone may be afraid of an unrestrained, menacing dog, it is not reasonable to run away from a calm, quiet animal on a leash.

• Anxiety-related physical symptoms - These can include tremors, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or other symptoms that reflect the body's "fight or flight" response to danger.

• Avoidance of the object, activity or situation that triggers the phobia - Because people who have phobias recognize that their fears are unreasonable, they are often ashamed or embarrassed about their symptoms. To prevent anxiety symptoms or embarrassment, they avoid the trigger for the phobia.