Individual and Abnormal- Phobias
What is a phobia?-
● An irrational fear of an objectively harmless stimulus or situation
Or another way is..
● When fear level is high but danger low
Example of phobias-
Koumpounophobia is a fear of buttons
- A fear of buttons
- Common- 1 in 75,000
- Fear factor- hygiene, anesthetic
Classification of Phobias -
● According to DSM 5, phobias are anxiety disorders
● There are 3 broad categories of phobias
1. Agoraphobia- Public places/outside home (complex)
2. Social phobia- being watched/appraised by others (complex)
3. Specific phobia- fear of specific item/object or situation (simple)
Agoraphobia-
● Complex disorder, which usually develops in adulthood
● Often viewed as fear of open spaces, but more complex
● Better thought of as fear of places which cause panic attacks to individual
Social Phobia-
● Complex disorder, usually develops in adolescence
● Fear of embarrassment, humiliation in public places
● Leads to avoidance of public places (often comorbid with agoraphobia)
Specific Phobia-
● Simple phobia- fear of a particular object or situation
● Typically occurs between childhood and adolescence (often before complex)
● Categorized into 5 broad categories by DSM 5
1. Animals (dogs)
2. Natural environment (height)
3. Medical/injury related (blood)
4. Situational (airplane)
What is a phobia?-
● An irrational fear of an objectively harmless stimulus or situation
Or another way is..
● When fear level is high but danger low
Example of phobias-
Koumpounophobia is a fear of buttons
- A fear of buttons
- Common- 1 in 75,000
- Fear factor- hygiene, anesthetic
Classification of Phobias -
● According to DSM 5, phobias are anxiety disorders
● There are 3 broad categories of phobias
1. Agoraphobia- Public places/outside home (complex)
2. Social phobia- being watched/appraised by others (complex)
3. Specific phobia- fear of specific item/object or situation (simple)
Agoraphobia-
● Complex disorder, which usually develops in adulthood
● Often viewed as fear of open spaces, but more complex
● Better thought of as fear of places which cause panic attacks to individual
Social Phobia-
● Complex disorder, usually develops in adolescence
● Fear of embarrassment, humiliation in public places
● Leads to avoidance of public places (often comorbid with agoraphobia)
Specific Phobia-
● Simple phobia- fear of a particular object or situation
● Typically occurs between childhood and adolescence (often before complex)
● Categorized into 5 broad categories by DSM 5
1. Animals (dogs)
2. Natural environment (height)
3. Medical/injury related (blood)
4. Situational (airplane)
