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Specific phobia is an irrational fear of a particular object, animal
or situation. The fear is great enough that you wish to avoid the
situation or experience it only with considerable anxiety. Fears
and phobias are very common. Up to 60 percent of people in a national
survey fear some situation or thing. However, phobias become a problem
when they interfere with your daily life; for example, if you are
afraid of flying in airplanes and refuse a job promotion because
it involves air travel. Common fears include: heights, water, public
transportation, storms, closed spaces, tunnels, bridges and small
animals (bugs, mice, snakes, etc.). Symptoms of a specific phobia
include:
• fears that are persistent and associated with intense
anxiety.
• avoidance or the want to avoid certain situations.
• fears that are excessive and unreasonable.
• fears that result in distress and difficulty in your daily
life routines.
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