A specific phobia is characterized by an irrational fear of a particular object or situation.
Specific phobias have two main components. The first is a strong and consistent fear of an
object or situation that the individual realizes poses no actual threat. Secondly, this fear
results in the intentional avoidance of the object or situation, causing difficulties in the
individual’s life as decisions are made in order to avoid the feared stimulus.
In many cases, the phobic object is something that might be dangerous or unsafe in certain
situations. Many people without specific phobias may also avoid these objects to some
degree; however, the difference in a specific phobia is the intensity of the fear response and
the level of dysfunction that it causes in a person’s life. Furthermore, people with specific
phobias often experience physical symptoms that can include shortness of breath, nausea
or heart palpitations. In severe cases, they may experience panic attacks that can leave
them feeling embarrassed, worthless or incapacitated. They may also experience difficulties
at work, school or in their social lives.