Specific phobias or fears

Overview

Specific phobias are intense, irrational fears of particular objects, situations, or activities that cause significant distress and avoidance behaviors. These persistent fears are disproportionate to the actual danger posed and can interfere with daily functioning and quality of life.

Common Causes

Specific phobias often develop from past traumatic experiences, learned behaviors from family members, or heightened sensitivity to certain situations during childhood. They can also stem from an overactive stress response system that triggers intense fear reactions to particular objects or scenarios. Sometimes these fears arise without any clear cause, as the brain's natural protective mechanisms become overly focused on perceived threats that aren't actually dangerous.

Severity Levels

Mild: You may feel anxious when encountering your feared object or situation but can still function normally with some discomfort. The fear causes minor inconvenience but doesn't significantly impact your daily activities or relationships.

Moderate: Your fear creates noticeable distress and you actively avoid certain situations, which begins to limit your choices and activities. You may need to plan around your phobia or rely on others for support in specific circumstances.

Severe: The phobia severely restricts your life, causing you to avoid many situations or places entirely. Your fear may trigger panic attacks and significantly impacts your work, relationships, or ability to complete everyday tasks independently.

Medical Attention

Seek professional help if your fear significantly interferes with your daily activities, work, or relationships. Consider consulting a mental health professional if you find yourself avoiding important situations or experiences due to your phobia, or if the fear causes intense physical symptoms like panic attacks. Treatment is highly effective for specific phobias, so don't hesitate to reach out if your fear is impacting your quality of life.

4k+ Collection Centres

90k+ Biomarkers Tested

Early Detection