A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by an intense and irrational fear of an object or situation. People with phobias often go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation that triggers their anxiety. Some of the most common phobias include fear of heights (acrophobia), fear of flying (aerophobia), fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), and fear of snakes (ophidiophobia).

What is phobia in Psychology

Types of phobias

Phobias can be divided into three broad categories: situational, animal, and natural environment.

Situational phobias are the most common, accounting for around 19% of all phobias. These include fear of flying, fear of heights, and fear of enclosed spaces.

Animal phobias are the second most common, affecting around 18% of people with phobias. The most common animal phobias are fear of dogs, fear of snakes, and fear of rodents.

Natural environment phobias are the third most common, affecting around 10% of people with phobias. The most common natural environment phobias are fear of thunderstorms, fear of floods, and fear of earthquakes.

Phobia symptoms

People with phobias often experience symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling, and dizziness.In severe cases, they may even experience a full-blown panic attack.

If you think you might have a phobia, it's important to see a doctor or mental health professional to get a proper diagnosis. Treatment usually involves a combination of therapy and medication. With treatment, most people with phobias are able to lead normal, healthy lives.