Main Types of Phobias
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Although you may hear about all sorts of phobias, all phobias fall into one of three categories. These categories do have many similarities, but they are unique enough to warrant different treatments. Specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia are the three major types of phobia.
Specific phobias are phobias of a specific object, situation, or thing that triggers extreme and unjustified fear. The majority of strange or spectacular phobias you read or hear about are specialized phobias. The main kinds of specific phobias are animal phobias, natural environment phobias, situational phobias, blood injection phobia, and other phobias. Animal phobias are simply the fear of a specific type of animal, like dogs, snakes, spiders, etc. Natural environment phobias are caused by events or situations in the natural world, such as storms, darkness, and heights, while situational phobias concern a specific event. Common situational phobias include claustrophobia, fear of flying, and fear of going to the doctor. However, there is some overlap between situational phobias and social phobias and Agoraphobia. Blood injection phobias include the fear of blood, being injured, and medical procedures. The fifth category of specific phobias, other phobias, includes all specific phobias that do not fit cleanly into the other four groups, like the fear of death or illness. Specific phobias are highly common nowadays, particularly in kids or teenagers, and have the capability to clear themselves up in these younger age groups.
Social phobias are also known as social anxiety disorder. People with social phobias are afraid of being caught in a compromising situation in public. Many people have some level of fear concerning public speaking, but social phobias come in many forms.
The third category of phobia is Agoraphobia, which was originally thought to be a fear of public (it actually means ‘fear of the marketplace’). It has recently been discovered that Agoraphobia is actually caused by a fear of having a panic attack in a public place, or somewhere that it could not be controlled or would be made worse. Many Agoraphobes avoid traveling by bus or plane, restaurants, and other public and social settings where it would be awkward to have a panic attack. In severe cases, some people who suffer from Agoraphobia become home bound and may not leave their home, or even their bed, for a number of years. Agoraphobia can be made worse by being overly conscious of the symptoms of a panic attack, which can easily trigger a panic attack. For instance, an Agoraphobia sufferer might become lightheaded, which is a panic attack symptom, because they sat up too quickly, but instead they dread panic attacks so much, become alarmed, and have an actual panic attack. Because of the cycle that Agoraphobia causes, it can be difficult to deal with, and medication is often used to control the panic attacks.
Although there are a multitude of specific phobias, social phobia and Agoraphobia are better defined and must be dealt with differently. Because of the overlap between certain phobias (fear of flying-situational or Agoraphobia) a professional opinion may be needed to overcome a phobia or medication may need to be prescribed.
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