Get Virtual Care
Phobia
An irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a strong desire to avoid it. Such fears can be considered anxiety disorders or symptoms characterized by unnecessary avoidance of a situation out of fear. Avoidance is the hallmark of a phobia. And, avoidance serves as a sort of fuel for the phobia.
Dr. Lawrence Smith reviewed this
32 year experience in Clinical Psychology
How long it usually lasts:
How common it is:
Body locations
Types of
Symptoms
Risk factors
Medications
Other treatments
Related questions
A 40-year old asked:
Is there real phobias?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old asked:
How can I fight my phobias?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
How common are real phobias?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
What are some common phobias?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old asked:
How do I cure my random phobia?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
What do you think of air phobias ?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old male asked:
How do I remove my phobia of studies ?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old female asked:
What can I do about my phobia of bugs?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
Could a phobia be considered a handicap?
2 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
How to know if I have a phobia of scorpions?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 50-year old asked:
How do I know if I have some sort of phobia?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
Is there a medication you can take for phobias?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Can past life regression work to clear phobias?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: phobia?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
What would be a good way to take care of a phobia?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
What to do if I have 18 phobias should I be worried?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old female asked:
Is it possible to recover 100% from a specific phobia?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
What can I do for getting over phobia of unhealthy food?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 50-year old asked:
What to do if I have bad phobia of becoming old and dying?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 29-year old asked:
What is the difference between phobias and just being crazy?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
How do I find out what is the phobia name for being abandoned?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
What other disorder or conditions often go along with phobias?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old asked:
What to do if I have a phobia of dirt/small things please help?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
Can you give any advice on getting over a phobia? What do I do?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
Does anyone know of medications that are used for treating phobias?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old male asked:
Every time phobia of some big diseases. What should I do? So anxieted.
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
A 17-year old female asked:
Why has my phobia of dying worsened recently? I can distract myself from it.
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 32-year old asked:
What do you recommend if I had to do project again, can you please rate how you feel about these phobias?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
I don't know why, but i'm scared of sudden video game glitches. Is that normal? Is there a phobia for that?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old male asked:
Hello. I want to ask you whether subliminal audio and visual messages are helpful in treating a phobia. Thanks?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
