Specific Phobias
Specific Phobias are characterized by the excessive fear of an object or a situation. When the person with a phobia is exposed to the object, they become highly anxious; for instance, they may have a panic attack. Adults with phobias recognize that their fear is excessive and unreasonable, but they are unable to control it. They will usually take pains to avoid the feared objects/situations, or else anticipate them with feelings of dread.
Specific Phobia may have its onset in childhood, and is often brought on by a traumatic event; being bitten by a dog, for example, may bring about a fear of dogs. Phobias that begin in childhood may disappear as the individual grows older. Fear of certain types of animals is the most common Specific Phobia; other kinds of phobias include height phobias, claustrophobia, snake and spider phobias, and blood, injury and illness phobias.