Phobic Anxiety Disorders

Phobic anxiety disorders are characterised by persistent, excessive, and irrational fear of specific objects, situations, or social interactions, leading to avoidance behaviour that causes significant distress or functional impairment. They are subdivided into: specific phobias (isolated fear of a particular object or situation, e.g. spiders, heights, blood, needles); social anxiety disorder (fear of social or performance situations due to concern about embarrassment or negative evaluation); and agoraphobia (fear and avoidance of situations where escape may be difficult, often associated with panic disorder). The key cognitive feature is an overestimation of threat and underestimation of coping ability.

Phobic disorders are among the most common mental health conditions. Specific phobias have a lifetime prevalence of ~10% and often begin in childhood. Social anxiety disorder affects approximately 3–7% of the population, with onset typically in adolescence. Agoraphobia occurs in ~2% of the population, usually developing in early adulthood, often following panic attacks. All are more common in women (except social anxiety, which shows a more equal sex ratio). Risk factors include family history, negative early experiences, behavioural inhibition temperament, and adverse social experiences (bullying, humiliation).