Types of Phobias - Definition, Symptoms and Causes

Phobia can form an essential part of a person's life. It shapes their behaviour and even controls their surroundings. It is an anxiety disorder which induces a deep sense of distress and panic inside an individual. Moreover, it can develop from any object or experience.

To know about the types of phobias and what it is, keep reading this article to the full.

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What Is a Phobia?

If you are wondering what is phobia, it is an exaggeration of the mind or an irrational fear. Generally, it is unlikely to cause any harm even though you feel distressed or in danger.

It is called phobia because a trigger is usually involved in response to which some people feel alarmed. However, not everyone feels fear of the same thing. It can be a different place, person, reason or circumstance. Find details of the different types of phobias below.

What Are the Different Types of Phobias?

Phobias can be broadly categorised into two categories: complex and specific. Refer to the following subsections to know the symptoms of phobias, triggers, and other details:

1. Specific Phobia

It involves an intense and irrational fear of a specific trigger, like a fly or spider. The fear often develops in childhood or adolescence, but it becomes less severe for some people as they grow old.

These different phobias come under 'specific phobias':

Fear of animals like insects, snakes, dogs, etc.
Fear of natural environments like water, height, darkness, germs.
Situational anxiety like going to the dentist, small spaces, tunnels, escalators, etc.
Sexual phobias like fear of nudity or sexual acts.
Body-based traumas like vomit, blood, choking, infection, childbirth, etc.
Other phobias like fear of a specific object, food or costumed characters.

What Are the Causes of Specific Phobia?

One of the common causes of this type of phobia is an early traumatic experience. For example, you have been left alone in the dark in a confined space during your childhood. Due to this, you develop a fear of darkness.

On the other hand, childhood phobias can also start by witnessing the fear of a family member. So, suppose a mother has arachnophobia, then her child will likely develop the same.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Specific Phobia?

If you have a trigger that is very common to experience or face daily, it can drastically affect your life. However, if it is the opposite, it can have less impact on you. However, you may still feel a sense of anxiety and fear whenever the object is around you. Other symptoms include:

Abnormal breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Feeling of danger
Tendency to escape
Shaking of hands and legs
Sudden chills or heat flashes

2. Complex Phobias

Another one on the list of phobias is complex phobias. These are more disruptive and overwhelming, thus, more likely to affect a person than a specific phobia. These types of traumas develop when you are an adult and can again be subdivided into:

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is not only a fear of space but much more than that. Not being able to escape, fear of getting stuck, or feeling embarrassed to get out defines the behaviour of an agoraphobic patient. In these situations, the sufferer gets anxious and is likely to experience a panic attack.

Symptoms and Causes of Agrophobia

It is misunderstood by the fear of open spaces since the people involved also show similar trauma when limited to a closed space like public transport, elevator, etc. As a result, they tend to avoid situations like:

Being in a crowd
Walking alone outside
Travelling by bus, car or plane
Being in a shop or lift

It can develop due to various reasons. However, one of the common causes is panic disorder. So, people start to feel anxious and worried after a panic attack.

Social Phobia

In the case of social phobia, you feel stressed in social situations. As a result, you tend to avoid it. Also, you worry about the event before, during and after it has happened. This type of fear is also known as a social anxiety disorder.

Symptoms and Causes of Social Phobia

Sometimes people find attending a social event difficult. They feel shy and awkward. This is all normal. However, sometimes social fear can leave you overwhelmed. Some of the everyday situations are:

Meeting new people
Speaking on the phone
Starting a conversation
Talking in groups
Conversing with authority figures
Going to work
Taking regular trips out
Eating or drinking in front of people

The reason for your fear is you think other people will judge you negatively. In contrast, you can fear that you will somehow offend others by saying or doing something. Also, you worry about others noticing that you are anxious.

It can affect your life by:

Interfering with your ability to work
Making you feel isolated
Hampering your self-esteem and confidence
Making it difficult to maintain a relationship

What Are the Causes of Complex Phobias?

It is not yet confirmed why people experience agoraphobia or social anxiety. However, researchers believe complex phobias result from a combination of brain chemistry, life experience and genetics.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Complex Phobias?

Complex phobias can limit the number of daily activities one is able to carry out. It can cause severe depression and anxiety. In addition, people with complex phobias also tend to purposely avoid coming in contact with things they fear or situations that traumatise them. Other common symptoms are:

Dry mouth
Dizziness
Disorientation and confusion
Chest pain
Trembling

Phobias can be intense, persistent and unrealistic. It can be related to any object, animal, environmental element or situation. It disrupts the sufferer's life, inducing an uncomfortable and challenging situation. However, one can consult a doctor and treat it. First, however, refer to the above article to discover the type of phobias you suffer from.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the treatment option for a phobia?

Though phobias are treatable, you need to be aware of the type you are suffering from to plan the treatment. It differs from person to person and is tailored according to their situation. However, doctors often recommend medications, therapy or a combination of both.

What are the most common types of fear?

The most common types of fear include Acrophobia (fear of heights), Aerophobia (fear of flying), Astraphobia (fear of lightning and thunder), Arachnophobia (fear of spiders), Hemophobia (fear of seeing blood), and Hydrophobia (fear or water).