Susie

Sun Mingyu

Specific Phobia

MapIntroductionFeaturesSymptomsDemographics Case study

Intense fears about specific places, situations or things, and phobias can make it hard for you to go to places. (e.g. flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood)

What is Specific Phobia

receiving an injection →

Marked and persistent Unreasonable and extravagant Cued by the presence or anticipation of a spe

cific object or situation

Features ：

Symptoms DSM-IV-TR delineates seven diagnostic

criteria for specific phobia: Significant and enduring fear of phobic

stimulusAnxiety response to phobic stimulusRecognitionAvoidanceImpairment and distressDurationNot accounted for by another disorder

Demographics---General United States population Specific phobias are common. The prevalence r

ates of specific phobia in community samples range from 4% to 8%. Over the course of a lifetime, the prevalence estimates in community samples range from 7.2% to 11.3%.

(Antony, 2010)

Demographics---High-risk populationsIndividuals whose family members have specifi

c phobia are at a higher risk for developing this disorder.

(Antony, 2010)

Demographics---Cross-cultural issuesPrior to assigning a diagnosis of specific phobia,

clinicians need to consider whether a patient's fear is extreme in the context of a particular culture and whether the phobia causes difficulties in daily functioning or triggers a lot of distress. Further research is needed on the effects of culture upon the symptoms of specific phobia.

(Antony, 2010)

Prior to assigning a diagnosis of specific phobia, clinicians need to consider whether a patient's fear is extreme in the context of a particular culture and whether the phobia causes difficulties in daily functioning or triggers a lot of distress. Further research is needed on the effects of culture upon the symptoms of specific phobia.

(Antony, 2010)

Demographics---Gender issues There are twice as many women with specific p

hobia than there are men with this disorder. The gender ratio variable varies depending upon the type of specific phobia. Approximately 75%–90% of people with the animal, situational, and natural environment types are female. Approximately 55%–70% of people with the blood-injection-injury subtype are female. For height phobias, there are fewer women than men than for other specific phobia types; however, illness phobias are more common in men.

(Antony, 2010)

Case Study: Eric→fears of flying“scared to death of flying”heartbeats are so fast, his throat feels tight and s

weats excessivelythinks when a plane is taking off it must crushsmaller planes, bad weather make him feel wors

eworry about a plane trip a few months ago befor

e he was due to take ithe will not apply the jobs which there are chanc

es to take planesEric just knows his fear of flying is irrational but

he just cannot overcome it.

References Ankrom sheryl, (2009). Multiaxial Diagnostic System of the DSM-IV-TR The Five Axes.

Retrieved from: http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/DSMAxis.htm DSM-IV criteria for 300.29 Specific phobias. Retrieved from: 　　　　 http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/about-anxiety/diagnostic-and-statistical-manual-of-

mental- 　　　　 disorders-dsm/ Fritscher Lisa, (2009). Distinguishing a Phobia From Another Mental Health or Anxiety

Disorder. Retrieved from: http://phobias.about.com/od/relateddisorders/a/distinguishphob.htm

Grohol M. John. (2013). Specific Phobia Symptoms. Retrieved from: http://psychcentral.com/disorders/specific-phobia-symptoms/

Katz Marina , (2012). Anxiety & Panic Disorders Health Center. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/specific-phobias

Recognizing Specific Phobias - Do I Have a Phobia? Retrieved from: http://www.anxietybc.com/resources/specific.php

Steven J. Seay, Ph.D. (2011). Specific phobias: symptoms & CBT treatment (reader question).

　　　　 Retrieved from: http://www.steveseay.com/phobias-symptoms-treatment-therapy-cbt/