Phobias: MedlinePlus

P A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger.
P There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places. If you become anxious and extremely self-conscious in everyday social situations, you could have a social phobia. Other common phobias involve tunnels, highway driving, water, flying, animals and blood.
P People with phobias try to avoid what they are afraid of. If they cannot, they may experience
- Panic and fear
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Trembling
- A strong desire to get away
P Phobias usually start in children or teens, and continue into adulthood. The causes of specific phobias are not known, but they sometimes run in families.
P Treatment helps most people with phobias. Options include medicines, therapy or both.
P NIH: National Institute of Mental Health

