There are different types of phobia. In this article we examine them.
What is a phobia?
As we have seen, some individuals feel a profound aversion to certain situations or stimuli. These people suffer from an anxiety disorder called phobia and they will surely avoid encountering that situation that causes fear, anguish and anxiety at all costs.
The good? That people who have specific and limited types of phobias such as arachnophobia (fear of spiders), ophidiophobia (phobia of snakes) or ornithophobia (fear of birds), are free from anxiety by avoiding these animals.
The bad? That fears that cause a lot of tension in a wide variety of places and situations, such as fear of heights (ornithophobia), water (hydrophobia) or open spaces (agoraphobia), are more difficult to avoid.
People with these phobias may need to drastically alter their lives . In extreme cases, the phobia can affect the workplace, a route, leisure situations or vacations. Thus, they become pathological according to their degree and scope in the person’s life.
- Related article: “What is agoraphobia? Causes, symptoms and treatment”
Types of phobic disorders
There are as many types of phobias as there are elements in our habitat and in our environment.
Due to this large number of classes of phobias, it is very difficult to find a unanimous classification to establish a clear structure considering that there are about 500 types of phobias in the world. Keep in mind that it is the most common and widespread mental illness globally.
In this sense, various currents establish a cataloging that includes the following types:
1. Specific phobia (simple phobia)
These are some types of phobias that, in many cases, have a genetic or inherited load and seem to run in families .
We enter the field of the most common classes of phobias such as fears of specific animals (dogs, cats, spiders, snakes), people (clowns, dentists, doctors), environments (dark places, electrical storms, high places) situations ( flying in a plane, riding a train, being in a confined space) or objects (knives, scissors, pens, blood).
2. Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
People with social anxiety disorder fear situations where they may be embarrassed, embarrassed, or embarrassed by others . They become particularly anxious when unknown people are involved.
In these types of phobias, the fear may be limited to performance, such as giving a lecture, concert, or business presentation. Or it can be more general, like eating in front of others or using a public restroom. In this case, the person avoids social events.
3. Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of being in public places where it would be difficult or embarrassing to leave suddenly . In these types of phobias, a person with agoraphobia avoids going to the theater or a concert, or riding the subway or bus.
Many people with agoraphobia also have symptoms of panic disorder, which is fear in addition to physical symptoms such as tremors, heart palpitations, and sweating.
symptoms of phobias
In the same way that there are so many types of phobias, there are many symptoms of them.
1. Excessive and irrational feelings
These are persistent emotions of fear or anxiety caused by an object, activity or situation. These are feelings that escape all reason and are out of real proportion to any other type of threat.
2. Irrational and disproportionate fears
For example, what explanation do we find in the exacerbated fear of a sweet loving and playful kitten? Most people with these types of phobias identify their fears as exaggerated and unreasonable. They run away, they scream, they suffer from anxiety and sometimes they even have physical reactions and, in this sense, they feel ashamed.
3. Avoid objects, activities or situations
There is no other than to prevent symptoms of anxiety or shame, people with these types of phobias avoid their triggers. They detour, do not attend the event or avoid catching a plane.
4. Physical symptoms
Physical symptoms related to anxiety may include tremors, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or other symptoms of panic.
What treatments are there for phobias?
The type of treatment usually includes a combination of psychotherapy and medication , depending on the type and symptoms of the phobia.
Medications are not usually necessary as phobias are best managed with behavioral approaches. However, medications are sometimes prescribed to treat the effects of phobias such as panic attacks and anxiety.
1. Specific phobia
In these types of phobias, cognitive behavioral therapy can help , especially a procedure called desensitization therapy. This technique involves gradually increasing your exposure to fear at your own pace, gradually, under controlled circumstances.
In this way, as he is exposed to the object, he is taught to master his fear through relaxation, breath control, or other anxiety-reducing strategies. For short-term treatment of phobias, an anti-anxiety medication may be indicated. If the phobia is dealt with only occasionally, such as a fear of flying, the use of medication may be limited.
2. Social anxiety disorder
These types of phobias, by focusing on a specific event such as presenting a project or giving a conference, the logical prescription is usually a medication called a beta blocker . This medication can be taken just before the act to inhibit the physical effects of anxiety (heart pounding or tremors).
It does not usually affect the mental acuity needed to speak or the physical dexterity needed to play an instrument. For more generalized or long-term forms of social phobia, an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed. Cognitive behavioral therapy also works well for many people with social phobia, both in individual and group settings.
3. Agoraphobia
The treatment for these types of phobias is similar to the treatment for panic disorder . Drug treatment includes SSRI antidepressants (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and a variety of other types of antidepressants.
A specialist may also suggest anti-anxiety medications. Psychotherapy is also helpful, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy.
Bibliographic references
- Cavallo, Vicente (1998). International Handbook of Cognitive and Behavioral Treatments for Psychological Disorders. Pergamon.
- Tillfors, Maria (2003). Why do some individuals develop social phobia? A review with emphasis on the neurobiological influences. Nord J Psychiatry.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.