A phobia is a persistent and irrational fear of a particular type of object, animal, activity, or situation.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Specific phobias are a type of anxiety disorder in which exposure to the feared stimulus may provoke extreme anxiety or a panic attack. Specific phobias are among the most common of all psychiatric disorders, affecting up to 10% of the population.
Common phobias include the fear of:
- Blood
- Certain animals (for instance, dogs or snakes)
- Flying
- High places
- Insects or spiders
- Lightning
People with specific phobias often realize their fear is irrational, but are unable to prevent it.
