Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Phobia history and symptoms
Introduction
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History and Symptoms
History and Symptoms
- Being exposed to the feared object, or even thinking about being exposed to it causes an anxiety reaction.
- This fear or anxiety is out of proportion to (much stronger than) the real threat.
- The person may have excessive sweating, problems controlling the muscles or actions, or rapid heart rate.
- The person avoids situations in which contact with the feared object or animal may occur. For example, avoiding driving through tunnels, if tunnels are the subject of the phobia. This type of avoidance can interfere with job and social functioning.
- The person may feel weak or cowardly and lose self-esteem when avoiding the object of the phobia.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]