What Are the Symptoms of a Phobia?
At the heart of a phobia, there is anxiety. There are three main types of phobias:
- Specific phobia, a persistent, irrational fear of particular objects or situations, such as snakes, spiders, heights, blood, flying, or elevators.
- Social phobia , or social anxiety disorder, a persistent, irrational fear of situations where you may be scrutinized or criticized or embarrassed by other people.
- Agoraphobia , a fear of leaving home, being alone, or being away from home in a situation where you feel trapped or helpless.
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.