Phobias: An Everyday Part of Life?

We've all felt fear, but when does your fear become a problem?  Many of us have irrational fears, but phobias take on a new meaning to the word irrational. There's no denying that phobias are everywhere, but exactly what is a phobia and just how far can they go?

What is a phobia? 

A phobia is defined as a persistent irrational fear of situations, objects, activities, or persons.  Most people who have phobias realize their fear is irrational, yet still can’t control it. 

Phobias are the most common form of anxiety disorders. A study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that phobias are the most common mental illness among women of all ages and the second most common illness among men older than 25 years old.

There are three classifications of phobias:  social phobias, specific phobias, and agoraphobia.  Social phobias are fears specifically related to other people and social situations.  Some aspects of social phobias can be performance anxiety or intense fear of embarrassment or judgments by others. Specific phobias are when a single specific object, such as a spider, triggers intense fear or panic.  Agoraphobia is a fear of leaving a safe area such as home. People also fear if they leave their 'safe area,' they will have a panic attack.

When does a fear become a phobia?

Most people have irrational fears to a minor degree.  This can be anything from a fear of mice to a fear of drowning. This is normal. But if a fear becomes so overwhelming that it affects your ability to function in your everyday life, then it may be a phobia.  People with phobias imagine more danger than there actually is in a situation. They also go to great lengths to avoid the feared situation.

According to Helpguide: Mental Health Issues, some common phobias symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath or smothering sensation
• Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Trembling or shaking
• Feeling of choking
• Sweating
• Nausea or stomach distress
• Feeling unsteady, dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
• Feelings of unreality or of being detached from yourself
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Hot or cold flashes
• Fear of fainting

Source: Helpguide.org and the National Institute of Mental Health