FreeMD® Phobias: Definition

Phobias

Definition

Phobias Definition

Common names:

Phobias
Xenophobia

A phobia is an irrational fear of an object, place, or behavior. Phobias may trigger panic attacks.

Common phobias include:

Agoraphobia:

Fear of open spaces

Claustrophobia:

Fear of closed spaces

Acrophobia:

Fear of heights

Continue to Phobias Incidence

Related Topics:

Anxiety disorder
Mental health
Panic attacks
Social phobia
Stress reaction
More...

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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Phobias References:

Kendler KS, Myers J, Prescott CA. The etiology of phobias: an evaluation of the stress-diathesis model. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002 Mar;59(3):242-8.
Mineka S, Ohman A. Phobias and preparedness: the selective, automatic, and encapsulated nature of fear. Biol Psychiatry. 2002 Nov 15;52(10):927-37.
Muris P, Merckelbach H, de Jong P, Ollendick TH. The etiology of specific fears and phobias in children: a critique of the non-associative account. Behav Res Ther. 2002 Feb;40(2):185-95.