Specific phobias
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2018
Department/School
Psychology
Publication Title
Principle-Based Stepped Care and Brief Psychotherapy for Integrated Care Settings
Abstract
Specific phobias are characterized by immediate, intense, and irrational fear when confronted with a particular object or situation [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5) American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2013]. When confronting the feared stimulus, the individual experiences an automatic physiological reaction that may include increased heart rate, sweating, and fainting in some cases (Fyer, 1998). As a result of this aversive reaction, an individual with specific phobia actively avoids situations that may involve the feared stimulus (DSM-5, APA, 2013). Avoidance behaviors can vary in severity and intrusiveness, ranging from taking a different work commute to refusing lifesaving medical treatment, e.g., claustrophobia leading to an inability to have a CT scan. Such behaviors are usually linked to escape from the stimulus, but if contact is unpreventable, avoidance behaviors such as diverting eye contact (Tolin, Lohr, Lee, & Sawchuk, 1999), distraction (Craske, Street, Jayaraman, & Barlow, 1991), or safety signals (Telch, 1994) may also serve to decrease fear. Generally, an individual with specific phobia experiences intense fear when confronting a specific object or situation and often exhibits avoidance behaviors to prevent or cope with this fear.
Recommended Citation
Koch, E. I., & Fernando, M. A. (2018). Specific phobias. In A. Maragakis & W. T. O’Donohue (Eds.), Principle-based stepped care and brief psychotherapy for integrated care settings (pp. 423–437). Springer International. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70539-2_38
Comments
E. I. Koch is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Psychology.
*M. A. Fernando is an EMU student.