Knowra Specific phobia Specific phobia Specific phobia is an anxiety disorder involving intense, persistent fear of a particular object or situation. The fear leads to avoidance or significant distress and is disproportionate to the actual danger.
Classical conditioning : A learning process in which a neutral stimulus comes to elicit a response after being paired with another stimulus. A frightening encounter can condition fear to the object or situation associated with it.
Anxiety disorder : A mental disorder characterized by excessive fear or anxiety that causes distress or impairs functioning. Specific phobia is classified within this broader family of disorders.
Animal phobia : A specific phobia focused on animals such as dogs, spiders, or snakes. Animal-related fears form one of the recognized specific-phobia subtypes.
Agoraphobia : An anxiety disorder involving fear of situations where escape or help may be difficult if panic-like symptoms occur. Its fear spans situation types and concerns escape or help, rather than one specific cue.
Avoidance learning : Learning to perform behavior that prevents or ends an aversive event. Avoiding the feared cue brings short-term relief, which can strengthen avoidance.
Fear : An emotional and physiological response to a perceived immediate threat. Specific phobia involves a persistent, excessive form of this ordinary protective response.
Blood-injection-injury phobia : A specific phobia involving blood, injuries, injections, or medical procedures. This subtype can involve fainting, unlike the usual pattern of rising physiological arousal.
Social anxiety disorder : An anxiety disorder involving persistent fear of scrutiny, embarrassment, or negative evaluation in social situations. The feared outcome is social judgment, not the object or situation itself.
Exposure therapy : A psychological treatment that brings people into sustained contact with feared cues while reducing avoidance. Repeated contact can weaken fear and show that avoidance is not necessary for safety.
Avoidance behavior : Behavior that reduces contact with a feared or unpleasant stimulus or situation. Avoidance is a common behavioral consequence and helps define the disorder's impact.
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