Phobia Anxiety Disorder By: Lexie Bradley and Megan Chapa

Definition  A phobia is defined as an irrational, intense fear of an object or situation that poses little or no actual danger. At first glance, a phobia may seem similar to a normal fear, but it's is the degree to which a person is affected that determines whether that fear has become a phobia.  Phobia Anxiety is where if any of these phobias become presented, your body and mind go into a state of extreme anxiety.

Symptoms Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, trembling, or other uncontrollable physical response Sensation of terror, dread or panic Preoccupation of thoughts; inability to change focus from the feared situation Intense desire to flee the situation  Other symptoms relate to the specific person’s way of dealing with anxiey.

Prognosis  In order for a phobia to be diagnosed, it must significantly interfere with the sufferer's daily life. For example, a strong fear of snakes may not be a phobia in a city-dweller who has no reason to come in contact with a snake. However, it may represent a severe phobia in a country farmer whose property is home to numerous snakes.  There are many anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder that may cause phobic reactions to certain situations. A mental health professional will make a clear evaluation of a sufferer's experiences to arrive at a correct diagnosis.

Therapy  One of the most accepted forms of therapy for phobias is known as cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT. In this form of therapy, the clinician works with the client to confront the feared situation and change the phobic reaction by changing the automatic thoughts that occur.  Exposure therapy is a leading form of cognitive behavior therapy that works well in treating phobias. A popular type of exposure therapy is known as systematic desensitization, in which the client is gradually exposed to the feared object, learning to tolerate increased exposure bit by bit.