People with phobias often have panic attacks when faced with the thing they fear. The symptoms of the panic attack can occur suddenly and without warning.
What is phobia?
Phobia is an intense, persistent, irrational fear of a specific situation, activity, object, or person. Usually, the feelings of fear are significantly greater than the actual danger or threat. People with phobias are highly distressed and preoccupied about feeling the fear, and often will go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation in question.
There are five different types of specific phobias. These include: Animal Type (e.g. dogs, snakes, spiders), Natural Environment Type (e.g., heights, storms, water), Blood-Injection-Injury Type (e.g. fear of seeing blood, receiving a blood test or shot), Situational Type (e.g., airplanes, elevators, driving, enclosed places), and Other Types (e.g., phobic avoidance of situations that may lead to choking, vomiting, or contracting an illness).
Symptoms of phobia:
In addition to overwhelming feelings of anxiety, a panic attack can cause physical symptoms, such as:
- Sweating and trembling
- Hot flashes or chills
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or a choking sensation
- Rapid heartbeat and pain or tightness in the chest
- A sensation of butterflies in the stomach
- Nausea or a need to go to the bathroom
- Headaches, dizziness, or feeling faint
- Numbness or pins and needles
- Dry mouth
In addition to the physical symptoms, psychological symptoms may also occur. These include:
- Fear of losing control
- Fear of fainting
- Feelings of dread
Fear of dying