Acquired fears that are out of proportion to the real threat of an object or situation. go to glossary index
This is an extremely common problem in the general population. Phobias are irrational and uncontrollable fears of an object or situation that most people can face without anxiety.The object or situation will trigger feelings of intense panic and the sufferer will go to great lengths to avoid them. Common phobias are fear of flying, spiders and enclosed spaces.
( Related information) Phobias are irrational fears that lead people to altogether avoid specific things or situations that trigger intense anxiety. Phobias occur in several forms, for example, agoraphobia is the fear of being in any situation that might trigger a panic attack and from which escape might be difficult; social phobia is a fear of being extremely embarrassed in front of other people.
A phobia is an abnormal, persistent fear of situations, objects, activities, or persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject.
Phobias occur in several forms. A specific phobia is a fear of a particular object or situation. Social phobia is a fear of being painfully embarrassed in a social setting. Agoraphobia, which often accompanies panic disorder, is a fear of being in any situation that might provoke a panic attack, or from which escape might be difficult if one occurred. Adults with phobias realize their fears are irrational, but often facing, or even thinking about facing, the feared object or situation brings on a panic attack or severe anxiety.
Fears and phobias are commonly associated with copper toxicity. Fear may reduce adrenal gland activity, which causes a rise in copper levels. Conversely, copper can affect thyroid and adrenal gland activity and induce anxiety feelings. Zinc deficiency due to copper toxicity may also play a role.
(anxiety disorder.) Characterized by an intense fear of an object (animal, insect), activity (flying, heights, driving), or situation (public speaking, eating or writing in public) that causes an individual to avoid these things at all costs. Phobias may result in agoraphobia causing a person to never leave the security of his home.
A type of anxiety disorder that involves strong fears of things or situations that pose little or no real danger.