Specific Phobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety in the presence of a particular situation or object (phobic stimulus). The four major types of fear are animals, environments, medical procedures, and situations (e.g. - elevators, planes, enclosed spaces). Show
EpidemiologyPrognosisComorbidityRisk FactorsCulturalCriterion AMarked fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation (e.g. - flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood – the specific object or situation is called a phobic stimulus). In children, the fear or anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, or clinging. Criterion BThe phobic object or situation almost always provokes immediate fear or anxiety. Criterion CThe phobic object or situation is actively avoided or endured with intense fear or anxiety. Criterion DThe fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the specific object, or situation and to the sociocultural context. Criterion E The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting
for Criterion FThe fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Criterion GThe disturbance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder, including: SpecifiersSpecify based on the phobia: Panic Attack SpecifierSpecify if:
Note: The symptoms presented in this specifier are for the purpose of identifying a panic attack. However, panic attacks are not a mental disorder. Panic attacks can occur in the context of any anxiety disorder as well as other mental disorders (e.g. - depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders) and some medical conditions (e.g. - cardiac, respiratory, vestibular, gastrointestinal). When the presence of a panic attack is identified, it should be noted as a specifier (e.g. - “social anxiety disorder with panic attacks”). For panic disorder, the presence of panic attack is contained within the criteria for the disorder and panic attack is not used as a specifier. Note: Culture-specific symptoms (e.g. - tinnitus, neck soreness, headache, uncontrollable screaming or crying) may be seen. Such symptoms should not count as one of the four required symptoms. Signs and SymptomsScreening and Rating ScalesScales for Specific Phobia
Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure is the first line treatment for specific phobias.[17] Psychological Treatments in Specific PhobiasKatzman, M. A. et al. (2014). Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC psychiatry, 14(1), 1-83.
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For PatientsFor ProvidersArticlesResearch1) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 2) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 3) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 4) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 5) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 6) Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2015). Kaplan & Sadock's synopsis of psychiatry: Behavioral sciences/clinical psychiatry (Eleventh edition.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. 7) Deshpande, N., Metter, E. J., Lauretani, F., Bandinelli, S., & Ferrucci, L. (2009). Interpreting fear of falling in the elderly: what do we need to consider?. Journal of geriatric physical therapy (2001), 32(3), 91. 8) Cohen, C. I., Magai, C., Yaffee, R., Huangthaisong, P., & Walcott-Brown, L. (2006). The prevalence of phobia and its associated factors in a multiracial aging urban population. The American journal of geriatric psychiatry, 14(6), 507-514. 9) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 10) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 11) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 12) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 13) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 15) American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA. 16) Katzman, M. A., Bleau, P., Blier, P., Chokka, P., Kjernisted, K., & Van Ameringen, M. (2014). Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC psychiatry, 14(1), 1-83. 17) Katzman, M. A., Bleau, P., Blier, P., Chokka, P., Kjernisted, K., & Van Ameringen, M. (2014). Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC psychiatry, 14(1), 1-83. 18) Katzman, M. A., Bleau, P., Blier, P., Chokka, P., Kjernisted, K., & Van Ameringen, M. (2014). Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders. BMC psychiatry, 14(1), 1-83. Is characterized by an intense irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object or situation?Phobias, Specific Phobia
A specific phobia is excessive and persistent fear of a specific object, situation or activity that is generally not harmful. Patients know their fear is excessive, but they can't overcome it. These fears cause such distress that some people go to extreme lengths to avoid what they fear.
What is the term for an intense fear of being in a situation where immediate escape is not possible or help is not immediately available in case of incapacitating anxiety?Agoraphobia is defined as fear of being in situations from which escape might be difficult or in which help may not be available in the event of a full or partial panic attack.
Which of the following is an example of the situational type of specific phobia?Situational phobias: These involve a fear of specific situations, such as flying, riding in a car or on public transportation, driving, going over bridges or in tunnels, or of being in a closed-in place, like an elevator. Natural environment phobias: Examples include the fear of storms, heights, or water.
What group of disorders that attempts to avoid painful memories or situations is characterized by amnesia fugue or multiple personalities?Dissociative Identity Disorder. Dissociative identity disorder is associated with overwhelming experiences, traumatic events and/or abuse that occurred in childhood. Dissociative identity disorder was previously referred to as multiple personality disorder.
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