Exposure to the source of the fear triggers an immediate anxiety response.
Phobiasare one of the most commonmental illnessesin the United States.
They also tend to fall into one of three groups: social phobia, agoraphobia, and specific phobias.
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Women are more likely to experience phobias than men.
Phobias can be debilitating, but they are also very treatable.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about treatments that can help.
Because of this, any attempt at a completely exhaustive list of phobias would be a futile exercise.
Any list of phobias could grow with the addition of newly coined terms for previously unnamed specific phobias.
It also covers some of the treatment options that are available.
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This video has been medically reviewed byDaniel B.
Symptoms of Phobias
Phobias lead to physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms.
What Causes Phobias?
The exact causes of phobias are not known, but a combination of factors likely plays a part.
Women are more likely to develop specific phobias than men.
Common vs. Rare Phobias
Some phobias are more common, while others are often quite rare.
Rare phobiasmay be novel terms coined to identify a single, unique case or fear that occur quite infrequently.
Some of the different treatment options includetherapyand medication.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure-based treatmentsare the first-line approach in the treatment of phobias.
In this pop in of treatment, you are gradually and progressively exposed to what you fear.
Medications your doctor might prescribe includeselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), beta-blockers, and anti-anxiety drugs.
National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.
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Anxiety & Depression Association of America.Symptoms.
2019;180(3):204-212. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.32714
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Anxiety disorders - Facts and statistics.
2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195.
