22nd February 2024

Background

Phobia disorder is the most prevalent and most treatable of the psychiatric disorders, with women believed to be three times more likely to be affected. It occurs when there is an excessive fear involving a particular situation/object (phobic stimuli), which is disproportionate to the danger or threat it poses. This results in anxiety, distress, discomfort, and avoidance of the phobic stimuli, all of which can impact an individual’s day to day functioning. Individuals with phobias experience hyperactivation of their amygdala when they are exposed to phobic stimuli. Phobia disorders can also present with physical symptoms due to overactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system, following exposure to the phobic stimuli. For example, the vasovagal syncope that occurs in needle phobic individuals whilst having their bloods. 

Examples of phobic stimuli include:

• Animals – mice, spiders, or dogs 
• Nature – heights, water, darkness, thunderstorms, or fire 
• Medical – procedures, blood taking, injections, or COVID-19 
• Situational – tight spaces, flying on a plane, or lifts 
• Non-specific, e.g clowns, loud noises, etc