Specific Phobia
See Also:
Specific
Phobia: Introduction & Overview
Specific Phobia:
Types
Specific Phobia:
Symptoms
Specific
Phobia: Causes & Risk Factors
Specific
Phobia: Treatment Options
Specific Phobia Symptoms
and Signs
Individuals
with specific phobia can display slightly different
symptoms according to the type of phobia they suffer
from. However, the main symptoms include:
Intense,
irrational fear
Individuals with specific phobia experience intense and
unreasonable fear when anticipating or encountering a
specific object, living being, or situations that poses
little or no real threat. The fear is limited to the
phobic stimulus and focuses on the anticipated harm that
can be caused by some aspects of the feared object or
situation. For example, an individuals with dog phobia
experiences marked distress and fear when in the presence
of a dog due to their concern of being bitten.
Anxiety
When encountering the phobic stimulus, individuals with
specific phobia immediately experience anxiety. The
intensity level of the anxiety response can be influenced
by two factors: (1) the proximity of the phobic stimulus
(when the phobic stimulus is in the near proximity the
anxiety tends to increases), and (2) whether a potential
escape is possible or not (the anxiety increases when the
individual cannot escape the situation). The somatic
(bodily) signs of anxiety are: palpitation, tremor,
sweating, gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, muscle
tension, blushing, confusion. In some cases, the anxiety
response can take the form of a panic attack. The somatic
(bodily) signs of a panic attack include: palpitations,
sweating, chills or hot flashes, trembling or shaking,
sensation of shortness of breath, sensation of choking,
chest pain or discomfort, nausea or abdominal discomfort,
dizziness or lightheadedness, tingling sensations.
Avoidance
behavior
Individuals with specific phobia deliberately avoid the
phobic stimulus and/or situations where it can occur. The
purpose of the avoidance behavior is to prevent the
anxiety response triggered by the presence of phobic
stimulus.
Other
symptoms
Individuals with blood-injection-injury phobia
experiences slightly different symptoms. When exposed to
blood, individuals experience fear and disgust. Also, the
body's first reaction is to increase the heart rate and
blood pressure, which is immediately followed by a quick
drop causing nausea, dizziness, and fainting.
See Also:
Specific
Phobia: Introduction & Overview
Specific Phobia:
Types
Specific Phobia:
Symptoms
Specific
Phobia: Causes & Risk Factors
Specific
Phobia: Treatment Options
Article by Alina Morrow
MS Psychology
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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