Understanding Phobias -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of a Phobia?
At the heart of a phobia, there is anxiety. There are three main types of phobias:
- If you have a persistent, irrational fear of particular objects or situations, such as snakes, spiders, heights, blood, flying, or elevators, you have a specific phobia.
- If you have a persistent, irrational fear of situations where you may be scrutinized or criticized or embarrassed by other people, you have social phobia, or a social anxiety disorder.
- If you fear leaving home, being alone, or being away from home in a situation where you feel trapped or helpless, you have agoraphobia.
If you have a phobia that interferes with a normal social or working life, it's time to get treatment. The right kind of therapy can often lessen your anxiety and may diminish or even remove the phobia.
Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder -- Symptoms
The hallmark of generalized anxiety disorder is excessive, out-of-control worrying about everyday things. Symptoms include: Persistent fear, sometimes without any obvious cause, that is present everyday Inability to concentrate Muscle tension; muscle aches Diarrhea Eating too little or too much Insomnia Irritability Loss of sex drive For school-age children, symptoms include: Fear of being away from the family Refusal to go to school Fear of strangers F...
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