Phobias - Irrational fears that produce a conscious avoidance of the feared object or situation
DSM-5 categories of phobia:
Specific phobias - Fear about specific objects e.g. spiders OR specific situations e.g. heights
DSM-5 categories of phobia:
Social phobia - Anxiety related to social situations
Example: Talking to a group of people
DSM-5 categories of phobia:
Agoraphobia - Fear of being trapped in a public place where escape is difficult
Phobic disorders are included in the DSM and ICD within the category of 'anxiety disorders'. These group of mental disorders share the primary symptom of extremeanxiety. Phobias are instances of irrational fears that produce a conscious avoidance of the feared object or situation.