Symptoms of having a specific phobia often include uncomfortable and terrifying feelings of anxiety:
- a feeling of imminent danger or doom
- the need to escape
- heart palpitations
- sweating
- trembling
- shortness of breath or a smothering feeling
- a feeling of choking
- chest pain or discomfort
- nausea or abdominal discomfort
- feeling faint, dizzy or lightheaded
- a sense of things being unreal, depersonalization
- a fear of losing control or “going crazy”
- a fear of dying
- tingling sensation
- chills or heat flush
Screen yourself or a family member for a specific phobia.
It’s important to note the difference between everyday anxiety and a phobia:
|
Phobia |
Feeling queasy while climbing a tall ladder | Refusing to attend your best friend’s wedding because it’s on the 25th floor of a hotel |
Worrying about taking off in an airplane during a lightning storm | Turning down a big promotion because it involves air travel |
Feeling anxious around your neighbor’s pit bull | Avoiding visiting your neighbors for fear of seeing a dog |