There are seven separate criteria for specific phobia, which was formerly known as simple phobia. The criteria are:
1.Marked and persistent fear of clearly circumscribed objects or situations, like spiders or riding in elevators;
2.Immediate anxiety reaction upon exposure to the stimulus;
3.Recognition by adolescents and adults that their fear is excessive or unreasonable;
4.The phobic stimulus is generally avoided or endured with dread;
5.That the fear or avoidance interferes with the individual's functioning or the individual is markedly distressed about the phobia;
6.Persistence for at least six months for those under 18; and,
7.The symptoms are not better accounted for by another disorder, such as PTSD.
There are several subtypes of Specific Phobia, including the Animal Type, Natural Environment Type, Blood Injection Injury Type, Situation Type, and Other Type. For example, the Animal Type might include fear of dogs or spiders. The Animal Type often has a childhood onset. On the other hand, the Situational Type has two age at onset peaks, one in childhood and on in the mid 20s. Situational phobias include such things as fear of bridges, elevators, driving, or enclosed places.
Specific Phobias often coexist with other anxiety disorders, with a particularly frequent co occurrence between Specific Phobias and Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. However, they must be distinguished from those other disorders. For example, Specific Phobias are not present with the generalized anxiety of Panic Disorder and they are distinguished from Social Phobias because the avoidance in Social Phobia is derived from fear of negative evaluation, not a specific stimulus.
There are several different types of treatment of Specific Phobia, although the most commonly chosen modality if some form of in vivo exposure through behavior therapy. In addition, however, hypnosis, psychotherapy, and medication are sometimes chosen a...