3 Signs of a Phobia
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| Tue, 03-27-2007 - 12:49pm |
3 Signs of a Phobia
Everyone has fears — but some people have phobias that interfere with their lives. How can you tell the difference? Although there are different types of phobias, the basic signs of having one are similar.
The symptoms of phobia are:
Excessive, unreasonable, persistent feelings of fear or anxiety that are triggered by a particular object, activity or situation The feelings are either irrational or out of proportion to any actual threat. For example, while anyone may be afraid of an unrestrained, menacing dog, it is not reasonable to run away from a calm, quiet animal on a leash.
Anxiety-related physical symptoms These can include tremors, palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea or other symptoms that reflect the body's "fight or flight" response to danger.
Avoidance of the object, activity or situation that triggers the phobia Because people who have phobias recognize that their fears are unreasonable, they are often ashamed or embarrassed about their symptoms. To prevent anxiety symptoms or embarrassment, they avoid the triggers for the phobia.
From Health A-Z, Harvard Health Publications. Copyright 2006 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College.





