Difference Between Fear and Phobia: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

It is unavoidable to just drop off the feeling of being scared or overwhelming anxiety. Being said so, it is difficult to self-analyse and distinguish between a phobia and fear. This blog is to help you in such situations. If you want to learn what phobia is, it is suggested to read till the end.

In simple terms, fear is a reaction to something by which one feels threatened. It is inevitable. Everyone has one thing or the other that they fear. It is one of the most primitive human emotions that has evolved. It happens because of two reactions; one is biochemical and the other is emotional.

So, we can sum up and state that fear is a reaction to real threats. However, it can sometimes occur out of imagined situations as well. Experts have suggested that fear is a symptom of mental health. It is coupled with other disorders like panic, social anxiety, PTSD, etc.

Finding one cause of fear is extremely difficult and complex. Fear can result from past experiences, trauma, etc. Not all types of fear can be understood, but some are still possible because they cause physical symptoms.  

The most common trigger for fear is a threat, which can be related to anything. Some of the common triggers of anxiety are the following.

• Loss of visibility in darkness
• Heights 
• Social interaction 
• Getting rejected
• Animals, insects and rodents
• Death 

Here are some of the common physical and emotional symptoms of fear.

• Faster heart rate
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Chest pain
• Dry mouth
• Chills
• Not able to control emotions
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling overwhelming
• Dread 

Generally, healthcare professionals can diagnose Mysophobia in a single appointment. It does not involve any testing. Instead, the professionals will ask you specific questions about the visible symptoms and changes in your behaviour.

The questions include:

• Have you ever encountered a traumatic experience related to germs?
• How often do germs bother you?
• What do you feel when you see germs?
• Is your family related to any obsessive-compulsive disorder or anxiety history?
• Is it ok for you not to go to your favourite place because there you will find germs?
• Have you changed your daily routine, or your level of happiness has been affected due to Mysophobia?

Phobia is an excessive reaction to particular objects or situations. It can lead to fear even though you are not in danger. Nevertheless, it is treatable. The impact of phobia is so extensive that the person associated with it can feel the fear is irrational but cannot curb that feeling.

This is very common, and mostly among youngsters. Several factors can cause phobias; it can be genetic or environmental. For example, it has been observed that individuals who are genetically connected to someone with an anxiety disorder may develop certain phobias. Phobias can also develop from distressing events.

The most common way people find to deal with phobias is to avoid such situations or any particular object. This can help for some time, but eventually, this worsens the fear. Withstanding the condition that triggers the phobia can be challenging; hence, medical help is recommended for those affected.

As you have gathered enough information on what a phobia is, let’s check what are some of its symptoms in the following section.

A panic attack is a primary symptom that occurs as a phobic reaction. However, it also instigates other symptoms like the following.

• Hot flashes or chills
• Sweating 
• Trembling 
• Difficulty in breathing
• Feeling choked 
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea 
• Numbness 
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Ringing in your ears
• Fainting 
• Feeling dread

Diagnosing phobia is a thorough process that involves clinical interviews, therapy and medication. Similar to diagnosing fear, a doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms you are experiencing. 

Phobia can result from previous trauma, which can be both physical and emotional. This is why doctors will inquire about your medical and psychiatric history in order to take final actions for treatment.

Fear becomes a phobia when you feel an unimaginable amount of anxiety that does not match the level of danger. A phobia will make you scared and trigger sudden intense pressure at the thought of a certain object or situation.

Once you notice that you spend a lot of time worrying about the fear without any reason, that is when your fear turns into a phobia. Additionally, you will notice that your intent is indicating to avoid any kind of encounter with the triggering agents.

Since most symptoms of fear and phobia are interrelated, specialists use a similar treatment process, but only after careful diagnosing. Doctors will apply different techniques and medications to treat these conditions. There are some cases when doctors need to combine both methods. 

1. Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is one of the most common treatment procedures for phobias. This talking therapy enables patients to manage those problems by changing their course of action towards a particular situation. In other words, it assists in overcoming negative thoughts that lead to some phobic reactions. 

• Exposure Therapy

In this process, the source of fear is exposed to the individual in a controlled setting. This helps the person identify the fear, desensitise and reduce anxiety. Sometimes, this process is inclusive of CBT. Before using this therapy on someone, experts teach relaxation techniques to help them stay calm when facing their fears.

2. Medications

Another effective way to treat people with phobias is by prescribing certain antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. These medications emphasise on genetic and chemical components of the phobias. Using these prescribed drugs aims to help reduce symptoms associated with phobias. Some of the common medications that doctors prescribe are as follows:

• Antidepressants 
• Benzodiazepines
• Beta Blockers

Alternative treatment methods are:

• Hypnotherapy
• Homoeopathy
• Herbal remedies

Phobia does not develop overnight; it can result from trauma or any experience. On the other hand, fear is one of the seven universal emotions. Furthermore, both are interlinked, making it challenging to distinguish between them. So, if you ever feel in a situation where your fear persists, ensure you talk to a professional.