Specific Phobia

Specific Phobia (formerly

Diagnostic Criteria for Specific Phobia

“Simple Phobia”):  Marked and persistent fear of a specific object or situation (animals, flying, heights, blood, etc.).  Exposure to the “phobic stimulus” almost always provokes an immediate anxiety response, recognized as being excessive, which leads to avoidance of the stimulus, and interferes with the person’s function.

A.  Marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation (e.g., flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood). B.  Exposure to the phobic stimulus almost invariably provokes an immediate anxiety response, which may take the form of a situationally bound or situationally predisposed panic attack. C.  The person recognizes that the fear is excessive or unreasonable. D.  The phobic situation(s) is avoided, or else endured with intense anxiety or distress. E.  The avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress in the feared situation(s) interferes significantly with the person's normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or social activities or relationships with others, or there is marked distress about having the phobia.