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Phobias Facts & Worksheets

Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent, excessive, and unrealistic fear of a particular object, person, animal, activity, or situation.

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A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent, excessive, and unrealistic fear of a particular object, person, animal, activity, or situation. The term is derived from the Greek word “phobos,” meaning “fear” or “horror.” 

See the fact file below for more information on Phobias or you can download our 26-page Phobias worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DEFINITION

  • In addition, it is a strong, irrational fear of something that is not actually dangerous. An individual suffering from a phobia either attempts to avoid the source of the fear or withstands it with great anxiety and distress.
  • The impact of phobia can span from annoying to severely disabling. Many times, phobia sufferers are aware that their dread is unfounded, yet they are helpless to alter it. These worries can interfere with relationships at home, work, and school.

COMMON SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS OF PHOBIA

  • There are numerous theories about how phobias develop, and they are most likely caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The extent to which environment or genetic influences play a greater role varies by condition, with social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia having a heritability rate of around 50%.
  • Phobias are infrequently life-threatening, although they can cause undue stress in sufferers. Some phobias impair a person’s quality of life and make it difficult for them to obtain employment or an education.
  • Phobias can lead to awkward and humiliating situations. Because of the underlying fear of humiliation, these phobias are difficult to manage. 
  • A phobic reaction can be embarrassing, reinforcing the fear and making it more difficult to manage.
  • Individuals suffering from phobias may experience feelings of helplessness when they realize their phobia has affected several, if not all, aspects of their life, such as their job, social life, and overall happiness. 
  • They may believe there is nothing they can do to help themselves heal. They may believe that their phobia will last forever. They may wish things were different, but believe they will never be.

COMMON KINDS OF PHOBIA

  • Acrophobia is a severe and persistent fear of heights. Acrophobics will encounter panic and sudden anxiety in a variety of height-related situations. Scenarios such as standing on a bridge, looking over a cliff, being on the top floor of a skyscraper, flying in an airplane, and others could trigger acrophobia.
  • Claustrophobia is a fear of confined, small, enclosed, or crowded spaces. When claustrophobia is triggered, a person experiences intense fear and anxiety. This can lead to avoidance of situations that may elicit fear, which can have a negative impact on quality of life, such as avoiding certain healthcare procedures.
  • Astraphobia, or thunderstorm phobia is a strong, irrational fear of thunderstorms. Different extremely loud noises in nature may also be included. Astraphobia can be difficult to live with, but it is treatable.
  • Hemophobia is a psychological condition characterized by a strong aversion to blood. Those who suffer from this phobia may experience distress when they see or think about blood.
  • Fear of the dentist or dental procedures is known as dentophobia. This phobia usually develops as a result of a bad experience at the dentist’s office. It can be dangerous if it prevents you from receiving necessary dental care.
  • Zoophobia is an irrational fear of animals. A person with zoophobia may be afraid of only one type of animal, such as snakes or dogs, or they might be afraid of all animals.
  • Phasmophobia is an intense and persistent fear of ghosts. People suffering from phasmophobia may not be aware that their anxiety is unfounded. 
  • Nonetheless, they are unable to control their fear, which can cause significant distress. People with phasmophobia are terrified of the supernatural, which can severely limit their lives through avoidance behaviors.
  • Nosophobia is the intense and persistent fear of becoming ill. While many people are concerned about their health, people suffering from nosophobia are unable to control their fear. 
  • They are frequently concerned about contracting a specific disease or condition, such as heart disease, cancer, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 
  • Arachnophobia is a constant fear of spiders and other arachnids such as scorpions.

DIAGNOSIS

  • One of the most crucial steps in determining a specific phobia is determining whether its symptoms are usually represented by another disorder. This is significant because although they may appear similar, they are treated differently.
  • During the diagnosis, the mental health professional must establish that your symptoms are not better explained by symptoms of other disorders, particularly other anxiety disorders.
  • According to the DSM-IV-TR criteria, specific phobia diagnosis includes questions such as the presence of a marked and persistent fear that is exaggerated or unreasonable, followed immediately by the mere existence of a specific object or situation. 
  • On exposure to the feared object or situation, there will be a prompt anxiety reaction that may reach the intensity limit of a panic attack.
  • One of the most crucial steps in determining a specific phobia is determining whether its symptoms are usually represented by another disorder. This is significant because, although they may appear similar, they are treated differently.
  • Common symptoms of phobia would include shortness of breath, panic, rapid heart rate, shaking or trembling, and the desire to flee or escape from everything. 
  • People’s daily functioning in work, school, and interactions can suffer when they go to great lengths to avoid what makes them afraid.
  • A mental health professional must make a phobia diagnosis. Recognizing the signs, on the other hand, can help you seek help as soon as possible. This is significant because early treatment increases the likelihood of a successful recovery. 
  • Many people who suffer from specific phobias may become aware that their fears are irrational. However, even contemplating confronting the object or situation that causes their phobia can cause serious anxiety symptoms.

 POTENTIAL TREATMENT

  • Although most phobias can be treated, no single treatment is guaranteed to work for all phobias. Phobia treatment may include therapeutic techniques, medications, or a combination of the two.
  • The most prevalently used therapeutic treatment for phobias is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It entails being exposed to the source of the fear in a controlled environment. This treatment can help people decondition and reduce anxiety.
  • Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help to alleviate emotional and physical responses to phobia. A combination of medication and professional therapy is frequently the most beneficial.
  • Several people who suffer from phobias benefit from a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Many professionals consider that environmental triggers and learned behaviors are the most important causes of phobias. 
  • They contend that phobias are ultimately learned responses to a stimulus. The phobia can be cured by “unlearning” the response. 
  • Mindfulness techniques can help a person reduce their stress level. This technique may not stop the initial rush of anxiety that a phobia can cause, but it may help reduce the severity of the fear. 
  • Working with a therapist to learn mindfulness techniques may be beneficial. Individuals who practice this technique on their own on a regular basis can benefit when confronted with their phobias.
  • If a person has ever had a phobia, they should be aware that the terror they feel is not rational. On the other hand, there are effective, well-researched treatments available to help them find relief and unlearn the fear response that may be interfering with their daily lives.

Phobias Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Phobias across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Phobia, which is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent, excessive, and unrealistic fear of a particular object, person, animal, activity, or situation.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Phobias Facts
  2. Fear vs. Phobia
  3. Truth of Bluff?
  4. Look for the Signal!
  5. Phobia Match
  6. Some are Triggers too!
  7. Situational Phobia
  8. Facing your Fears
  9. Overcoming Fears/Phobias
  10. A Social Response
  11. Writing a Feature Article

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common phobia?

Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders. Many people are afraid of spiders, even if they have never been bitten by one. Some people get very scared when they see a picture of a spider. Many people try to stay away from spiders if they can.

What is the longest word phobia?

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words. Sesquipedalophobia is another term for this phobia.

What is the phobia of death?

Thanatophobia is a fear of death or dying. It is natural to feel afraid of these things sometimes, but people with thanatophobia are always terrified.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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