DSM-5 categories of phobia

• A phobia is an excessive and irrational fear triggered by an object, place or situation
• Specific phobia- phobia of an object e.g animal or body part, or a situation e.g flying or having an injection
• Social anxiety disorder (social phobia)- phobia of social situations e.g public speaking or eating in public, usually down to the possibility of being judged or being embarrassed
• Agoraphobia-fear of open spaces, using public transport or being in an enclosed space. Linked to the fear of not being able to escape or find help