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What Are the Symptoms?

At the heart of a phobia, there is anxiety. There are three main types of phobias:

• If you have a persistent, irrational fear of particular objects or situations, such as snakes, spiders, heights, blood, flying, or elevators, you have a specific phobia.
• If you have a persistent, irrational fear of situations where you may be scrutinized or criticized or embarrassed by other people, you have social phobia.
• If you fear leaving home, being alone, or being away from home in a situation where you feel trapped or helpless, you have agoraphobia.

If you have a phobia that interferes with a normal social or working life, it's time to get treatment. The right kind of therapy can often lessen your anxiety and may diminish or even remove the phobia.