Phobias
A specific phobia is excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity that is generally not harmful.
Patients know their fear is irrational and excessive, but they can't overcome it. These fears cause such distress that some people go to extreme lengths to avoid what they fear.
Common examples of simple phobias include:
- animal phobias - such as dogs, spiders, snakes or rodents
- environmental phobias - such as heights, deep water and germs
- situational phobias - such as visiting the dentist or flying
- bodily phobias - such as blood, vomit or having injections
- sexual phobias - such as performance anxiety or the fear of getting a sexually transmitted disease