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Difference Between Fear and Phobia: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

What Are the Differences Between Fear and Phobia?

Fear and phobia are interrelated. The former is a normal reaction to some specific situation or object. While the latter develops a feeling of fear even in cases when you are not in danger. The table below highlights some key factors of phobia vs fear.

Fear

Phobia

The overwhelming reaction to potentially dangerous situations or objects

Fear of any specific thing and situation

Associated with the term “danger”

Etymologically traced to the word "terror"

Instigate survival mechanisms

Impairs one’s functioning ability

Gradually fades when the source is not present

Phobic anxiety persists for a longer time

Primitive emotional response

Irrational and uncontrollable response

Anxiety level varies from mild to moderate

Extremely high levels of anxiety along with avoidance and anticipation

Usually, a universal reaction

Affects 16% of young adults (globally)

Feeling scared is much normal and can happen to anyone while having a phobic reaction is not universal. People with a kind of anxiety disorder can trigger a phobia. Phobias can be different, while the sense of fear is the same for everybody.

What Is Fear?

What Are the Causes of Fear?

What Are the Symptoms of Fear?

How to Diagnose Fear?

What Is Phobia?

What Are the Causes of Phobia?

What Are the Symptoms of Phobia?

How to Diagnose Phobia?

When Does Fear Become a Phobia?

What Are the Treatment Methods for Fear and Phobia?

Frequently Asked Questions