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Specific Phobia

When a person has a specific phobia he or she experiences intense or irrational fear of a particular thing that actually poses no true danger. There are many different specific phobias, and some of them include: closed-in or tight places, spiders, heights, water, tunnels, cats or dogs, highway driving, flying, and blood. It is important to note that these phobias are not just fearful, but they are irrationally fearful.

When people have specific phobias, or strong reactions to them, they will try to avoid any place or any situation that might contain the object of their fear. The fear that they experience may not make sense to you or to them, but they almost always feel powerless when it comes to stopping them. It should be noted that exposure is all that is needed to get the fear going. Once the anxiety response takes hold, it may lead to a panic attack.
 

Specific Phobia Symptoms

  • Anxiety reaction if the person is exposed to the object.
  • Both anxiety and discomfort will be out of proportion as there is no real threat from the object.
  • There may be excessive sweating, increased heart rate, and poor motor control.
  • The person will try to avoid all situations that might lead to contact or exposure to the object.
  • The individual may also feel as if he or she is a coward or is weak. They can lose their self-esteem because of their avoidance issues.
 

Causes of Specific Phobia

No one knows the cause behind specific phobias; however, most of them seem to be rooted in a past traumatic experience. In some cases, it may a learned reaction. For instance, if someone is attacked by a dog, they may develop this event into a specific phobia of dogs or animals in general. Even witnessing something traumatic can lead to a specific phobia. For some people, repeated verbal warnings about a place or thing may lead to problems later on in life.
 

Specific Phobia Treatment

For those with these phobias, treatment may include medication and/or cognitive-behavior therapy. Most people will benefit from behavioral therapy for any number of specific phobias (SPs). If the condition is severe, medication may be included as a treatment option. Drugs often used include : benzodiazepines have yet to be shown as effective.
 

Medications for Specific Phobia

SSRI antidepressant medications have long been prescribed as anxiety disorders. These include: panic disorders, generalized anxiety disorders, and many of the specific phobias. SSRIs are preferred over other types of antidepressants because they are effective and most patients can tolerate them well. With improved clinical compliance, the adverse effect profiles of the SSRI drugs are less prominent. These drugs will affect the level of serotonin that is in the brain. These drugs include:
 
Side effects for these drugs will vary a great deal from one person to another, and are dependent on the medication that is being taken. Some of the more common side effects include: nausea, dry mouth, tremors, sexual dysfunction, sleeping problems, blurred vision, constipation, and dizziness. In rare cases, some individuals have become more anxious or more depressed once they begin the medication. Some have attempted suicide.
 

More Information on Specific Phobia: