Condition Lookup

Start typing to search for a specific condition, or select a specialty to see all of its conditions

Sub-Category:

Phobic Disorders

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Sub-category: Specific or Social Phobia

Symptoms:
intense fear of a specific object or situation; avoidance behavior; panic-like symptoms when exposed to the phobic stimulus

Root Cause:
Dysfunctional fear processing in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, often influenced by genetics and learning.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation using DSM-5 criteria, including persistent fear that is out of proportion to the actual threat.

Treatment:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure therapy.

Medications:
SSRIs (e.g., escitalopram , sertraline ) or benzodiazepines for short-term relief in specific situations. Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol ) may be used for performance-related anxiety.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 7%-10% of the population annually, depending on the specific phobia.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, traumatic experiences, and temperamental predispositions (e.g., behavioral inhibition).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with therapy, especially with early intervention. Untreated, it can lead to significant impairment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Social isolation, depression, and difficulty maintaining daily activities or relationships.