What are specific phobias?
A specific phobia refers to an excessive or extreme fear of a particular object or situation, along with an awareness that the fear is irrational, unnecessary, or excessive. For this exaggerated fear to be considered a phobia, it must interfere in some way with a person’s life, or be very distressing. For example, the person who is fearful of elevators to the extent that he or she refuses to use elevators, even if it means climbing 15 flights of stairs or moving to a new work location, is likely suffering from a phobia. However, being phobic does not necessarily mean that the feared object or situation is completely avoided all the time. The person who is phobic of elevators may continue to use them, but with a great deal of discomfort or with the aid of certain medications. An extreme fear that causes distress and impairment would still be considered phobic, even if avoidance were minimal.
