What we treat

A specific phobia involves an intense, persistent fear of a specific object or situation that's out of proportion to the actual risk.

There are many types of phobias, and it's not unusual to experience a specific phobia about more than one object or situation. Specific phobias can also occur along with other types of anxiety disorders.

Most people with a specific phobia who receive therapy finish feeling better and more able to manage their symptoms.

Variations

Common specific phobias include a fear of:

• Situations, such as airplanes, enclosed spaces or going to school

• Nature, such as thunderstorms or heights

• Animals or insects, such as dogs or spiders

• Blood, injection or injury, such as needles, accidents or medical procedures

• Others, such as choking, vomiting, loud noises or clowns

Each specific phobia is referred to by its own term. Examples of more common terms include acrophobia for the fear of heights and claustrophobia for the fear of confined spaces.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a specific phobia may include:

• An immediate feeling of intense fear, anxiety and panic when exposed to or even thinking about the source of your fear

• Awareness that your fears are unreasonable or exaggerated but feeling powerless to control them

• Worsening anxiety as the situation or object gets closer to you in time or physical proximity

• Doing everything possible to avoid the object or situation or enduring it with intense anxiety or fear

• Difficulty functioning normally because of your fear

• Physical reactions and sensations, including sweating, rapid heartbeat, tight chest or difficulty breathing

• Feeling nauseated, dizzy or fainting around blood or injuries

These symptoms may cause difficulties in day-to-day activities such as work, studying, social activities or relationships with others.

Other struggles

Read more about the other difficulties we treat:

Stress

Depression

Worrying lots about different things

Illness anxiety

Flashbacks or nightmares of a trauma

Obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviours

Social anxiety

Panic attacks

Perceived flaws in appearance

Loss or bereavement

Expressing anger

Problems in relationships

Talking therapy

If you could be struggling with a specific phobia, read about the talking therapies we offer to see how they could help you. You may also like to read some feedback and encouragements by those who received therapy with us.

Self-help resources

Be sure to check out our useful section of self-help resources for wellbeing.

Employment advice

Alongside therapy our Employment Team can help you find employment or training, and support you with workplace adjustments or disputes.