Types of phobias

Types of phobias are one of the most common anxiety disorders that can severely affect people's daily lives. A phobia is an intense, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity, usually accompanied by great anxiety. Knowing the types of phobias, such as social phobia, specific phobia (such as fear of heights, darkness or animals) and environmental phobia (such as fear of closed or crowded places), plays an important role in the treatment and control of this disorder. In this article, we will comprehensively review the types of phobias and their identification and treatment methods. Examining the types of phobias shows the extent and diversity of these disorders. This article is prepared with the aim of providing an expert review on the classification, possible causes, symptoms and effective treatment approaches for all types of phobias; Better understanding of these conditions is the first step to manage them. Classification of phobias based on DSM-5 It should be said that there are many ways to classify types of phobias, one of the most important of which is the DSM-5 guide. The DSM-5 diagnostic manual classifies phobias into five main subtypes based on the nature of the feared stimulus. Classification of phobias according to DSM-5: - Animal type: intense fear of animals or insects, such as spiders (Arachnophobia), snakes (Ophidiophobia), dogs (Cynophobia) or insects (Entomophobia) - Natural Environment Type: fear related to natural elements and phenomena, such as fear of heights (Acrophobia), storms and lightning (Astraphobia), water (Aquaphobia) or darkness (Nyctophobia) - Blood-Injection-Injury or B-I-I Type: This type of panic has a different physiological pattern and a person may experience a sudden drop (vasovagal syncope) and fainting after a short initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure. - Situational type: fear of being in certain situations, such as claustrophobia, flying in airplanes, elevators, bridges, or driving. - Other Type: includes fears that do not fall into the above categories, such as fear of choking, vomiting (Emetophobia), certain loud noises, or people in certain clothes (such as clowns - Coulrophobia). Differentiating types of phobias from agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder It is important to distinguish specific phobias from other anxiety disorders that are associated with intense fear. Agoraphobia, as one of the types of phobia, is actually fear and avoidance of places or situations that a person feels it will be difficult or embarrassing to escape or get help in case of anxiety symptoms (such as using public transportation, being in open or closed spaces, standing in line or crowd). Social Anxiety Disorder is also characterized by intense fear of social situations or performance where a person is worried about being negatively evaluated or judged by others. The central focus of fear in these two disorders is different from the focused and specific fear in specific phobia, and each has its own diagnostic criteria and treatment considerations in DSM-5. A look at the types of phobias and their etiology The exact cause of the formation of phobias is not fully known, but a set of biological, psychological and environmental factors play a role in their occurrence. Genetic predisposition can make a person more vulnerable. Learning theories play an important role; Classical conditioning through direct experience of a traumatic event related to the stimulus (such as an animal attack) or witnessing a traumatic event to others can lead to the development of morbid fear. Learning, i.e. seeing the fearful reaction of parents or others to a stimulus, as well as receiving threatening information, can also be effective. From a neurobiological point of view, excessive activity of the amygdala, the center of fear processing in the brain, and disruption of the neural circuits related to emotion regulation, may play a role in this field. Clinical manifestations and physiological responses of panic People with phobias, when faced with a fearful object or situation (or even thinking about it), usually experience an immediate and intense anxiety response that can develop into a full-blown panic attack. This response includes physiological symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, tremors, shortness of breath or suffocation, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, or weakness. A key behavioral feature is active avoidance of the fearful stimulus; A person tries his best not to face that object or situation. If avoidance is not possible, the person endures the situation with intense anxiety and distress. As mentioned earlier, people with type B-I-I phobia may experience hypothermia and fainting after exposure. Diagnostic considerations based on DSM-5 criteria The diagnosis of specific phobia is made by a clinical specialist (psychiatrist or psychologist) based on the detailed criteria of DSM-5. These criteria include various things such as the existence of one of the types of phobia or obvious, intense and disproportionate anxiety about a specific object or situation, the occurrence of an almost immediate anxiety response every time it is encountered, active avoidance of the stimulus or tolerance of it with intense fear and anxiety, the continuation of this fear and avoidance for at least 6 months, and causing clinically significant suffering and discomfort or impairment in social, occupational or other important aspects of a person's life. Also, it must be ensured that the fear is not better explained by another mental disorder such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), separation anxiety disorder, or social anxiety disorder. Detailed clinical interview is the basis of differential diagnosis and assessment of the severity of this type of phobia.