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
Is a Phobia Triggering Your Fight or Flight Response?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
scared woman in crowd
Should You Deal With Your Phobia on Your Own?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Pensive businesswoman looking away in conference room
Revolving Door Syndrome With Phobias
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
anxious woman at airport
Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms and Progression
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Scared child gripping the arms of chair in a dentist's office
Phobia Symptoms, Types, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
A man living with depression.
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (DPDR): Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, Treatment
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Human Evolution
Human Behavior and Evolutionary Psychology
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Businessman reading newspaper in airplane
How to Fly Safely With Claustrophobia
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Lonely businessman sitting at bar
Effects of Phobias on Your Emotions and Personality
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
A little girl holding a snake
The Concept of Jung's Collective Unconscious Explained
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Girl pouring liquid into beakers
How Constructivism Relates to Understandings of Phobias
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
upset young asian man
A Look at Culture-Specific Phobias
By Lisa Fritscher
group therapy session
Resources for Phobia Support
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
stressed businessman with his head down and fingers pinching his nasal bridge
How Many People Have Phobias in the United States?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
man with folded hands sitting in chair across from woman
Tabula Rasa in Psychology
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Stressed man rubbing his eyes
Common Phobic Reactions for the Three Types of Phobias
By Lisa Fritscher
Woman stressed at her kitchen table
Identifying and Coping With Anticipatory Anxiety
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Close-Up Mid Section Of Woman Holding Python
Using Behavior Modeling Theory for Phobic Patients
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Elevated View of a Crowd of People Praying
The Link Between Religious Faith and Fear
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Woman with headache, talking with Doctor
The Psychoanalytic Theory of Transference
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
blurry vision
Conversion Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Women in a group therapy session.
How Mass Hysteria Is Related to Groupthink
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Woman In Consultation with Doctor
What Is a Presenting Problem?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Professional taking patient information
Understanding Intake Interviews for Phobias
By Lisa Fritscher
woman in psychotherapy session
Medical Model Use in Psychology
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
silhouette of man looking out window with flare
Magical Thinking Benefits and Mental Health Concerns
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Business woman reading news in plane.
Medication to Treat Claustrophobia While Traveling
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
A young woman looking anxious and fearful
When Your Fears About Dying Are Unhealthy
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Therapy session
Understanding Phobias and How to Manage Them
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Woman looking anxious France
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
The Medical Model in Psychology on Phobias and the Brain
By Lisa Fritscher
I've got to get away from here!
Mental Health Research on the Genetics of Phobias
By Lisa Fritscher
Mom & toddler girl taking selfie joyfully in cafe
Object Relations Theory and the Mom Factor
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman reading a tablet
How Different Factors Cause Certain Phobias
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Therapist talking to a client
Learning Theory and Phobias
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Girl being teased
Understanding Social Cognitive Theory for Phobias
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Man and woman hugging in group therapy session
Psychoanalytic Theory of Phobias
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Worried pregnant woman
Tokophobia: Symptoms and Treatments for Childbirth Fear
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Hispanic woman at therapy session
Questions to Ask Yourself After a Preliminary Diagnosis
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, 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
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for a Specific Phobia
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
Worried man looks through closed curtains, frowning
The Symptoms of Agoraphobia
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
Diagnostic Criteria for Phobias
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
Pros and Cons of the DSM in Mental Health Diagnosis
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Man talking with therapist
Therapeutic Role-Playing for Phobia Treatment
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
a man is talking to his psychologist.
Counter-Transference in Therapy
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
teenage girl (16-17) talking to therapist
How Eclectic Therapy Helps a Client's Needs
By Lisa Fritscher
Group therapy
How Psychoeducational Group Therapy Can Help Phobias
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
One moment more
Treating Specific Phobia With Drugs
By Lisa Fritscher
Hypnotherapy Session
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD
group sitting in a circle talking
Talk Therapy as a Treatment Option for Phobias
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Nervous passenger sitting on airplane
How Behavioral Therapy Is Used in the Treatment of Fears
By Lisa Fritscher
Businesswoman showing her wedding ring with stop gesture
Thought Stopping and Controlling Obsessive Thoughts
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Man talking with therapist in therapy
What to Know About Therapeutic Rapport
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
woman holding tea bowl
Alternative Therapy Treatments for Phobias
By Lisa Fritscher
therapist and patient
Finding a Therapist to Treat Your Phobia
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Woman sitting on sofa, looking pensive, listening to man in foreground
What Are the Goals of Therapy for Specific Phobias?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD