Symptoms

A phobia is thus an irrational fear that leads to the conscious avoidance of a situation, object or activity. Also, the presence and/or anticipation of being put in the phobic situation gives rise to much distress. Finally, exposure to the stimulus or phobic situation almost always provokes an immediate anxiety response, which may trigger panic attacks or predispose the development of panic attacks. However, it would be wrong to believe that phobias are always accompanied by panic attacks.
Anyone can develop a phobia at any time. It’s also probable that many people suffer from phobias without seeking treatment: they adapt to their phobia by different mechanisms such as avoidance, have a ‘phobia companion’ or other coping mechanism. That is not the case for everyone suffering from phobias: in fact, phobias may considerably impair functioning and spoil the everyday quality of life. They can lead to severe conjugal, family, and social problems. For example, a young man suffering from a generalized social phobia may have great difficulty finding a job because he is unable to face a selection interview, be unable to have a satisfying love life since he is incapable of approaching young women. He may therefore be condemned to a solitary life, without a social and emotional life.

It is important to note that children express their anxiety and/or fear very differently from adults. In fact, a child may start to shout, cry, become unruly, refuse to go and play with other children. Being attentive to their child’s behaviour often helps parents detect and identify what object or situation the child fears.

Also, those who suffer from specific phobias are at risk of developing other anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, such as drugs and/or alcohol. In fact, consuming drugs and alcohol helps reduce anxiety and so gives the illusion of being able to function better or face the phobic situation.

Phobias can even lead to dangerous behaviour, such as triggering a catastrophic reaction when someone is driving on a busy highway and a spider marches across the windscreen of the car; or they can jeopardize someone’s health. For example, someone suffering from a phobia of blood or injections may refuse, or not undergo medical tests that are needed to diagnose or treat an illness.