Therapy for Phobias

Specific Phobia is an anxiety disorder centered around fear of a specific thing or situation. Some common phobias include fear of heights, driving or flying, blood or needles, or a specific insect or animal such as spiders, snakes, or dogs. Many people may experience some amount of fear or anxiety about one or several of these things or situations. However, if your fear is intense, recurring, and out of proportion to the actual dangerousness of the object of your fear, you may be experiencing Specific Phobia. Approximately 12.5% of U.S. adults meet criteria for Specific Phobia in their lifetime. People with Specific Phobia typically avoid their fear as much as possible, or experience intense anxiety when faced with it. To be diagnosed with a Specific Phobia, your fear must also be ruled out as a symptom explained by a different anxiety or other related disorder. For example, fear and avoidance of something that reminds you of a trauma you experienced may be a symptom of PTSD rather than a Specific Phobia. A trained psychologist or other therapist with anxiety expertise can help you figure out whether your fears are related to Specific Phobia or a different type of problem, as well as the best course of treatment.