WHAT IS SPECIFIC PHOBIA?

Specific phobias are persistent intense fears of certain objects or situations which can lead to panic attacks. Some phobias may start in childhood following an encounter with real danger; others appear to have come out of the blue.

The list of dreaded objects and situations is long and might even be amusing to those who don't suffer from phobias. For the sufferer, the dread of a panic attack can control your life, causing uncomfortable behaviors in an attempt to avoid the situations of dread, as in panic disorder.