Introduction
Nearly everyone in the world is scared of something, for example mice or needles. For many people these are minor fears. A fear is a rational response to a situation that possibly poses a threat to our safety. It is normal to experience fear in a dangerous situation. Sometimes these fears can be very serious and interfere with day to day life and create anxiety. This is called a phobia. Phobias are said to affect 11% of the Australian population.
Fears vs. Phobias
Fear is a natural response that humans, and in fact most animals, have. Its purpose is to activate our ‘fight or flight’ response system in case of danger.
A phobia is a persistent, overwhelming and exaggerated fear of an object or situation that can affect …show more content…
Specific phobias can be split into five main groups: o Animal or insect phobias:
A fear relating to animals or insects, for example snakes and rodents. o Natural environment phobias:
A fear relating to nature, for example storms and heights. o Situational phobias:
A fear relating to specific situations, for example flying and small spaces. o Blood, injection or injury phobias:
A fear relating to medical procedures or blood or injury, for example injections and operations. o Other phobias:
A fear relating to other specific phobias, for example clowns and vomiting.
• Social phobia
Social phobia is also known as social anxiety disorder. It is the fear of social situations where you can be rejected, humiliated or judged by others. Examples of social phobias are fears of public speaking or talking to
Nearly everyone in the world is scared of something, for example mice or needles. For many people these are minor fears. A fear is a rational response to a situation that possibly poses a threat to our safety. It is normal to experience fear in a dangerous situation. Sometimes these fears can be very serious and interfere with day to day life and create anxiety. This is called a phobia. Phobias are said to affect 11% of the Australian population.
Fears vs. Phobias
Fear is a natural response that humans, and in fact most animals, have. Its purpose is to activate our ‘fight or flight’ response system in case of danger.
A phobia is a persistent, overwhelming and exaggerated fear of an object or situation that can affect …show more content…
Specific phobias can be split into five main groups: o Animal or insect phobias:
A fear relating to animals or insects, for example snakes and rodents. o Natural environment phobias:
A fear relating to nature, for example storms and heights. o Situational phobias:
A fear relating to specific situations, for example flying and small spaces. o Blood, injection or injury phobias:
A fear relating to medical procedures or blood or injury, for example injections and operations. o Other phobias:
A fear relating to other specific phobias, for example clowns and vomiting.
• Social phobia
Social phobia is also known as social anxiety disorder. It is the fear of social situations where you can be rejected, humiliated or judged by others. Examples of social phobias are fears of public speaking or talking to