What is a phobia?

A phobia is an intense fear of – or aversion to – a particular object or situation. While anxiety is natural in some circumstances, people with phobias feel fear that is out of proportion to the actual danger presented by the situation or object.

People with a phobia may:

• Have an irrational or excessive worry about encountering the feared object or situation
• Take active steps to avoid the feared object or situation
• Experience immediate, intense anxiety upon encountering the feared object or situation
• Enduring unavoidable objects and situations with intense anxiety

There are several types of phobias and phobia-related disorders:

Specific phobias (sometimes called simple phobias): As the name suggests, people who have a specific phobia have an intense fear of or feel intense anxiety about certain types of objects or situations. Some common examples of specific phobias include fear of flying, fear of heights, fear of certain animals (such as spiders, dogs, or snakes), fear of receiving injections, and fear of blood.

Agoraphobia: People with agoraphobia have an intense fear of two or more of the following situations:

• Use of public transport
• Being in open spaces
• Being in closed spaces
• Standing in line or being in a crowd
• Being alone outside the home

People with agoraphobia often avoid these situations because they believe it may be difficult or impossible to leave if they experience panic-like reactions or other embarrassing symptoms. In the most severe form of agoraphobia, a person can become housebound.

Social anxiety disorder (formerly called social phobia) is an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. To learn more, visit NIMH’s page on social anxiety.

What causes phobia-related disorders?

Research shows that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of a specific phobia. Some risk factors include:

• Exposure to a traumatic event involving a particular object or situation
• Feeling anxious or nervous in new situations in childhood
• A history of anxiety or other mental disorders in biological relatives

How are phobia-related disorders treated?

Psychotherapy is the primary treatment method for phobias. Medicines can help treat phobia symptoms in special circumstances.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-established and effective treatment for anxiety disorders such as phobias. It teaches different ways of thinking, behaving and reacting to situations to help reduce anxiety and fear.

Exposure therapy is a CBT method that is particularly effective in treating phobias. Exposure therapy focuses on confronting the fear underlying a phobia to help people engage in activities and situations they have been avoiding. Exposure therapy can be paired with relaxation exercises.

Acceptance and commitment therapy

Another treatment option for some anxiety disorders, including phobias, is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT uses strategies such as mindfulness and goal setting to reduce discomfort and anxiety. Compared to CBT, ACT is a newer form of psychotherapy treatment, so there is less data available on its effectiveness.

Medicine

A health nurse can prescribe medicine such as anti-anxiety medications and beta blockers to relieve phobia symptoms in specific situations. The provider can evaluate your symptoms and needs and help you decide whether to include medications in your treatment plan.

Support groups

Some people may benefit from including a support group in their treatment plan. Support groups can provide a welcoming place in person or online where people can discuss their concerns, share their experiences, and learn from others.

Stress management techniques

Practicing stress management techniques such as exercise, mindfulness and meditation can also help reduce phobia-related anxiety and help make psychotherapy even more effective.

How can I find help?

If you are concerned about your mental health, talk to a primary care provider. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist or clinical social worker, who can help you figure out the next steps. Findtips for talking to a healthcare provider about your mental health.

You can learn more about getting helpon the NIMH website. You can also learn about to find support and localization of psychiatric services in your area on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.