Phobias

Phobias are one of the most common anxiety conditions. When someone has a phobia, it means that they hava an uncontrollable and irrational fear of an object or a situation.

Many people have such fears although they know that there is no real danger. Because of their fear they try hard to avoid the object or situation that frightens them.

The most common phobias are:

• Agoraphobia - fear of public places, e.g. buses, shops
• Social phobia - fear of social situations, e.g. meeting people
• Specific phobias - fear of a specific thing, e.g. animal or insect
• Height phobia - fear of heights, e.g. tall buildings, bridges
• Claustrophobia - fear of enclosed spaces, e.g. lifts

Further resources can be found on the right.