Psychologist talking to his patient in chairs

Phobias

Even though millions of people live with them, phobias remain a misunderstood disorder. Get the facts and learn how to cope with your persistent fears.
Sporty man wiping sweat on forehead at gym
Why Your Phobia Triggers a Severe Physiological Response
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
scared woman in crowd
Getting Help for Your Phobia so You Don't Have to Deal With It Alone
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Pensive businesswoman looking away in conference room
Revolving Door Syndrome Helps Understand Relapse in Phobias
Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD
anxious woman at airport
Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and Progression
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Scared child gripping the arms of chair in a dentist's office
How Phobias or Persistent and Extreme Fears Are Treated
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
A man living with depression.
What Is Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Human Evolution
How Evolutionary Psychology Explains Human Behavior
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Businessman reading newspaper in airplane
Survival Strategies for Claustrophobia Before and During Your Flight
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Lonely businessman sitting at bar
5 Effects of Phobias on Your Emotions and Personality
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
A little girl holding a snake
How the Collective Unconscious Is Tied to Dreams, Beliefs, and Phobias
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Girl pouring liquid into beakers
Are Phobias Just a Modern Day Social Construct?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
upset young asian man
How Phobias Can Be Affected by Your Culture
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
group therapy session
How Your Friends, Family and Others Can Help You With Your Phobia
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
stressed businessman with his head down and fingers pinching his nasal bridge
Do You Know How Many People Have Phobias in the U.S.?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
man with folded hands sitting in chair across from woman
Why the Psychology Theory of Tabula Rasa You Can Unlearn Bad Behavior
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Stressed man rubbing his eyes
Common Phobic Reactions for the Three Types of Phobias
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Woman stressed at her kitchen table
Coping With Anticipatory Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Close-Up Mid Section Of Woman Holding Python
How to Overcome Your Phobia Through Behavior Modeling
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Elevated View of a Crowd of People Praying
How Does Religion Cause Different Phobias?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Woman with headache, talking with Doctor
Is Transference the Reason Why I'm Attracted to My Therapist?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
blurry vision
What Is Conversion Disorder?
Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD
Women in a group therapy session.
Sticking Too Closely to a Group Mindset May Cause Phobias or Hysteria
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Woman In Consultation with Doctor
What Is a Presenting Problem in Mental Health?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Professional taking patient information
Questions Your Therapist May Ask During Your Phobia Intake Interview
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
woman in psychotherapy session
How the Medical Model for Mental Disorders Works in Psychology
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
silhouette of man looking out window with flare
When Is Magical Thinking a Symptom of Mental Illness?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Business woman reading news in plane.
How to Cope on a Long Trip When You Have Claustrophobia
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
A young woman looking anxious and fearful
The Fear of Death Is Common but It Can Become Unhealthy
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Therapy session
How Can Living With a Phobia Interfere With Your Life?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
A woman sitting with a worried expression.
How to Deal With the Fear of Failure
By Kendra Cherry
Woman looking anxious France
The Link Between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Phobias
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Scared woman leaning against a wall
3 Major Theories on How Phobias Develop
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Mixed race woman covering face with hands
If Phobias Have a Biological Cause They Can Be Treated With Medication
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
I've got to get away from here!
Could You Have Inherited Your Phobias?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Mom & toddler girl taking selfie joyfully in cafe
How the Relationship With Our Mother Affects Relations With Others
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman reading a tablet
The Different Factors That Cause Certain Phobias to Develop
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Therapist talking to a client
How Can Learning Theories Help Treat Phobias?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Mother sitting on the floor playing with a young child.
How Social Cognitive Theory Explains the Development of Phobias
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Man and woman hugging in group therapy session
Understanding the Psychoanalytic Theory of Phobias
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Worried pregnant woman
How to Deal With Tokophobia: Fear of Childbirth
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Hispanic woman at therapy session
5 Questions to Ask Yourself After an Initial Diagnosis
Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD
woman breathing into paper bag on airplane
How to Tell the Difference Between a Fear and a Phobia
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
woman afraid of dentist
How Specific Phobias Are Diagnosed Using the DSM-5
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Worried man looks through closed curtains, frowning
Are You Afraid of Being in Public?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman looking out window
How Phobias Differ From Other Mental Disorders
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Woman covering her face with her hands
How Exactly Do You Diagnose a Phobia?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Nervous sweaty speaker preparing speech wiping wet forehead with handkerchief
How to Face Your Fears: Healthy Ways to Cope
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
DSM5
Can the Diagnostic Manual for Mental Health Do More Harm Than Good?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Man talking with therapist
How Therapeutic Role-Playing Works
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
a man is talking to his psychologist.
Counter-Transference Can Contaminate Your Therapeutic Relationship
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
teenage girl (16-17) talking to therapist
Why Brief Eclectic Therapy Is an Effective Treatment Option for PTSD
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Group therapy
Psychoeducational Group Therapy Can Help You Overcome Your Phobias
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
One moment more
How Taking Medications Can Help Treat Different Phobias
Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD
Hypnotherapy Session
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
group sitting in a circle talking
Talk Therapy vs. Medication: Which Is Better for Treating Phobias?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Nervous passenger sitting on airplane
How Behavioral Therapy Plays a Role in the Treatment of Phobias
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Businesswoman showing her wedding ring with stop gesture
Does Thought Stopping Really Help Get Rid of Negative Thoughts?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Man talking with therapist in therapy
Successful Mental Health Treatment Depends on Good Therapeutic Rapport
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
therapist and patient
How to Find the Right Therapist If You Have a Phobia
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Woman sitting on sofa, looking pensive, listening to man in foreground
The Goals of Therapy for Phobia to Help You Reclaim Your Life
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD