Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSpecific PhobiasAgoraphobiaSocial PhobiaCommon PhobiasUncommon PhobiasTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Specific Phobias
Agoraphobia
Social Phobia
Common Phobias
Uncommon Phobias
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Aphobiais a type ofanxiety disorderthat causes an excessive, marked, irrational fear of a specific object orsituation.Someone with a phobia could be afraid of certain people, animals, objects, places, situations, or activities.
Common symptoms of phobias include:
When people go to extreme lengths to avoid what makes them afraid, their daily functioning in work, school, and relationships can suffer.
This article covers the three main types of phobias. It also lists some of the mostcommon phobiasas well as rare ones.
Anna Frank / Getty Images
How Are Phobias Classified
According to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition(DSM-5), there are several different types of phobias.The three main types of phobias—specific phobia,agoraphobia, and social phobia—include several subtypes.
All three types of phobias fall under the broader category of anxiety disorders. About 30% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime.
Specific phobias refer to an intense, persistent, and marked fear of a specific object or situation (such as flying,feet, or heights).People with specific phobias may be aware that their anxiety is disproportionate or unnecessary but feel helpless to control their distress.
The following are some categories of specific phobias:
Between 3% and 15% of people meet the diagnostic criteria for a specific phobia.
Agoraphobiais a type of anxiety disorder in which you avoid certain situations because you have an intense fear of being trapped or unable to escape.You may suffer panic attacks in open spaces or other environments.
Situations that can cause anxiety include:
Without proper treatment, agoraphobia can become debilitating over time, leading some people to fear leaving their house or a specific room.
In the United States, about 1.3% of adults have experienced agoraphobia at least once.
Also called social anxiety disorder,social phobiainvolves intense fear and self-consciousness in social situations.Social phobia can lead people to avoid speaking in public, attending events, meeting new people, or even seeking employment.
How Phobia Is Diagnosed
List of Common Phobias
Many phobias involve situations in which you sense a loss of control. Here is a list of common specific phobias for which people seek treatment:
Can You Outgrow Phobias?Many common phobias, such as trypanophobia (fear of injections and needles), begin in childhood. Around 25% of children and adolescents experience an anxiety disorder at some point. In some cases, childhood phobias may persist into adulthood. With effective treatment, however, many children leave their phobias behind as they get older.
Can You Outgrow Phobias?
Many common phobias, such as trypanophobia (fear of injections and needles), begin in childhood. Around 25% of children and adolescents experience an anxiety disorder at some point. In some cases, childhood phobias may persist into adulthood. With effective treatment, however, many children leave their phobias behind as they get older.
While you’ve probably heard of agoraphobia, claustrophobia, or animal phobias, there are many other phobias. Some less well-known ones include:
Medical Phobias
From doctors to any medical-related situation, these can include:
Sexual and Bodily Phobias
These can affect your perception of yourself or your relationships with others. Some examples:
Environmental Phobias
These are related to various places and locations:
Situational Phobias
These phobias can affect simple daily activities:
Fear of Certain Objects
These fears too, are related to everyday things or unusual objects such as:
No matter how strange or unexpected your phobia may seem, help is available. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your healthcare provider for help with your anxiety symptoms.
Additional PhobiasThis list of phobias is not meant to be comprehensive. Almost anything human beings experience in their everyday lives can become a source of fear or anxiety.
Additional Phobias
This list of phobias is not meant to be comprehensive. Almost anything human beings experience in their everyday lives can become a source of fear or anxiety.
Phobia Treatment
There is no single known cause of phobias.In some cases, a traumatic event can trigger a persistent, intense fear. In other cases, phobias may run in families.
However, phobias are usually treatable. Treatment for phobias may include:
Some people with phobias are afraid to seek help out of shame. Others don’t know that phobia treatment options are available. But with a qualified therapist, most treatment for phobias is effective.
A Word From VerywellTreatment for phobias, particularly exposure therapy, is challenging and can seem overwhelming at first. However, it is incredibly effective and empowering. Through the process, you will learn how strong and capable you are, and you’ll gain tremendous freedom in knowing your fear no longer has power over you.—ELLE MARKMAN, PSYD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Treatment for phobias, particularly exposure therapy, is challenging and can seem overwhelming at first. However, it is incredibly effective and empowering. Through the process, you will learn how strong and capable you are, and you’ll gain tremendous freedom in knowing your fear no longer has power over you.—ELLE MARKMAN, PSYD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Treatment for phobias, particularly exposure therapy, is challenging and can seem overwhelming at first. However, it is incredibly effective and empowering. Through the process, you will learn how strong and capable you are, and you’ll gain tremendous freedom in knowing your fear no longer has power over you.
—ELLE MARKMAN, PSYD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes persistent, intense, and often irrational fear about a certain situation or thing.
Specific phobias are those that involve intense fear about a specific object or situation, including common fears such as claustrophobia. Other common phobias include social phobia and agoraphobia.
Treatment is effective for most people with phobias. Phobia treatment options include exposure therapy, prescribed medications, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), andmindfulness techniques.
Almost any object, situation, environment, person, or animal can become a source of intense fear or anxiety. Some rare phobias include plutophobia (fear of money), ablutophobia (fear of bathing), chaetophobia (fear of hair), and eisoptrophobia (fear of mirrors).
Phobias can be safely and effectively treated. Common phobia treatments include psychotherapy and anti-anxiety medications. Exposure therapy, which involves facing the source of your fears with the support of a qualified therapist, may also be effective.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Phobias.American Psychiatric Association.What are anxiety disorders?Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 specific phobia comparison.Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XMedlinePlus.Agoraphobia.National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).Agoraphobia.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Phobias.Budnick CJ, Anderson EM, Santuzzi AM, Grippo AJ, Matuszewich L.Social anxiety and employment interviews: does nonverbal feedback differentially predict cortisol and performance?Anxiety Stress Coping. 2019;32(1):67-81. doi:10.1080/10615806.2018.1530349Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Phobias in children and adolescents.Sawyers C, Ollendick T, Brotman MA, et al.The genetic and environmental structure of fear and anxiety in juvenile twins.Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2019;180(3):204-212. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.32714National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness.Mental Health America.Phobias.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness.
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