Phobia overview: Difference between revisions
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Phobia is also used in a non-medical sense for aversions of all sorts. These terms are usually constructed with the suffix [[-phobia]]. A number of these terms describe negative [[attitude (psychology)|attitude]]s or [[prejudice]]s towards the named subjects. See [[#Non-clinical uses of the term|Non-clinical uses of the term]] below. | Phobia is also used in a non-medical sense for aversions of all sorts. These terms are usually constructed with the suffix [[-phobia]]. A number of these terms describe negative [[attitude (psychology)|attitude]]s or [[prejudice]]s towards the named subjects. See [[#Non-clinical uses of the term|Non-clinical uses of the term]] below. | ||
== | ==Causes== | ||
It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events and internal predispositions. In a famous experiment, Martin Seligman used [[classical conditioning]] to establish phobias of snakes and flowers. The results of the experiment showed that it took far fewer shocks to create an adverse response to a picture of a snake than to a picture of a flower, leading to the conclusion that certain objects may have a genetic predisposition to being associated with fear<ref>[http://www.allpsych.com/journal/phobias.html Phobias: Causes and Treatment in AllPsych Journal<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. | It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events and internal predispositions. In a famous experiment, Martin Seligman used [[classical conditioning]] to establish phobias of snakes and flowers. The results of the experiment showed that it took far fewer shocks to create an adverse response to a picture of a snake than to a picture of a flower, leading to the conclusion that certain objects may have a genetic predisposition to being associated with fear<ref>[http://www.allpsych.com/journal/phobias.html Phobias: Causes and Treatment in AllPsych Journal<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. | ||
Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a [[Psychological trauma|traumatic]] experience at an early age. Social phobias and[[agoraphobia]] have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time. It is believed that heredity, genetics, and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of anxiety disorders and phobias. | Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a [[Psychological trauma|traumatic]] experience at an early age. Social phobias and[[agoraphobia]] have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time. It is believed that heredity, genetics, and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of anxiety disorders and phobias. | ||
Revision as of 06:53, 9 May 2013
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Phobia Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Phobia overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Phobia overview |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]
Overview
A phobia (from Greek: φόβος, phobos, "fear"), is an irrational, intense, persistent fear of certain situations, activities, things, or persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject. When the fear is beyond one's control, or if the fear is interfering with daily life, then a diagnosis under one of the anxiety disorders can be made. [1] Phobias (in the clinical meaning of the term) are the most common form of anxiety disorders.
Historical Perspective
Phobia is also used in a non-medical sense for aversions of all sorts. These terms are usually constructed with the suffix -phobia. A number of these terms describe negative attitudes or prejudices towards the named subjects. See Non-clinical uses of the term below.
Causes
It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external events and internal predispositions. In a famous experiment, Martin Seligman used classical conditioning to establish phobias of snakes and flowers. The results of the experiment showed that it took far fewer shocks to create an adverse response to a picture of a snake than to a picture of a flower, leading to the conclusion that certain objects may have a genetic predisposition to being associated with fear[2]. Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age. Social phobias andagoraphobia have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time. It is believed that heredity, genetics, and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of anxiety disorders and phobias.
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Signs of phobia include elevated blood pressure and rapid heart rate
References
- ↑ Edmund J. Bourne, The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, 4th ed, New Harbinger Publications, 2005, ISBN 1-57224-413-5
- ↑ Phobias: Causes and Treatment in AllPsych Journal