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Phobia and
Personality Disorder
Reported by:
Rica De Luna
What is Phobia?
A phobia is an irrational fear, a
kind of anxiety disorder in which
the individual has a relentless
dread of a situation, living
creature, place or thing.
Did You Know?
• Phobias are much more serious than simple fears.
• Females more commonly suffer from phobias than
males.
• Phobias often have their origins in early life.
• Symptoms may include sweating, chest pains, and pins
and needles
• Specific brain areas have been found to be involved in
phobias.
What Causes Phobia?
Genetic and environmental factors can
cause phobias. Children who have a close
relative with an anxiety disorder are at risk for
developing a phobia. Distressing events such
as nearly drowning can bring on a phobia.
Exposure to confined spaces, extreme
heights, and animal or insect bites can all be
sources of phobias.
Different Types of Phobia
Agoraphiobia
a fear of places or
situations that you can’t
escape from. The word
itself refers to “fear of open
spaces.” People with
agoraphobia fear being in
large crowds or trapped
outside the home. They
often avoid social situations
altogether and stay inside
their homes.
Social phobia
also referred to as
“social anxiety disorder.”
This is extreme worry
about social situations
that can lead to selfisolation. A social phobia
can be so severe that the
simplest interactions,
such as ordering at a
restaurant or answering
the telephone, can cause
panic. Those with social
phobia will often go out of
their way to avoid public
situations.
Specific Phobias
Glossophobia
performance
anxiety, or the fear of
speaking in front of an
audience. People with
this phobia have
severe physical
symptoms when they
even think about
being in front of a
group of people.
Acrophobia
the fear of heights.
People with this
phobia will avoid
mountains, bridges,
or the higher floors of
buildings. Symptoms
include vertigo,
dizziness, sweating,
and feeling as if you’ll
pass out or lose
consciousness.
Claustrophobia
the fear of
enclosed or tight
spaces. Severe
claustrophobia can be
especially disabling if
it prevents you from
riding in cars or
elevators.
Aviatophobia
The fear of
flying
Dentophobia
fear of the dentist
or dental procedures.
This phobia generally
develops after an
unpleasant
experience at a
dentist’s office. It can
be harmful if it
prevents you from
obtaining needed
dental care.
Hemophobia
fear of blood or
injury. A person with
hemophobia may faint
when they come in
contact with their own
or another person’s
blood.
Arachnophobia
fear of spiders.
Cynophobia
fear of dogs.
Nyctophobia
fear of the
nighttime or
darkness. This
phobia almost
always begins as a
typical childhood
fear. When it
progresses past
adolescence, it’s
considered a
phobia.
Who Is at Risk of Phobia?
Those with a genetic predisposition to
anxiety may be at a high risk for
developing phobias. Age, socioeconomic
status, and gender only seem to be risk
factors for certain phobias. For example,
women are more likely to have animal
phobias. Children or people with a low
socioeconomic status are more likely have
social phobias.
What are the Symptoms of Phobia?
• pounding or racing
heart
• shortness of breath
• rapid speech or inability
to speak
• dry mouth
• upset stomach or
nausea
• elevated blood
pressure
trembling or shaking
• chest pain or tightness
• choking sensation
• dizziness or
lightheadedness
• profuse sweating
• sense of impending
doom
Treatment for Phobia
Cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT)
is the most
commonly used
therapeutic treatment
for phobias. CBT
involves exposure to
the source of the fear,
but in a controlled
setting. This treatment
can decondition people
and reduce anxiety.
Medication
Antidepressants
and anti-anxiety
medications can help
calm both emotional
and physical reactions
to fear. Often, the
combination of
medication and
professional therapy
makes the biggest
difference.
Personality
Disorder
What is Personality Disorder?
those who struggle with a personality disorder have great
difficulty dealing with other people. They tend to be inflexible,
rigid, and unable to respond to the changes and demands of
life. Although they feel that their behavior patterns are
“normal” or “right,” people with personality disorders tend to
have a narrow view of the world and find it difficult to
participate in social activities.
Recognizing a Personality Disorder
a personality disorder must fulfill several criteria. A
deeply ingrained, inflexible pattern of relating, perceiving, and
thinking serious enough to cause distress or impaired
functioning is a personality disorder. Personality disorders are
usually recognizable by adolescence or earlier, continue
throughout adulthood, and become less obvious throughout
middle age.
What Causes a Personality Disorder?
Some experts believe that events
occurring in early childhood exert a
powerful influence upon behavior later in
life. Others indicate that people are
genetically predisposed to personality
disorders. In some cases, however,
environmental facts may cause a person
who is already genetically vulnerable to
develop a personality disorder.
Types of Personality Disorder
• Cluster A: Odd or eccentric behavior
• Cluster B: Dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior
• Cluster C: Anxious fearful behavior
Cluster A
Schizoid Personality
Disorder.
Schizoid
personalities are
introverted, withdrawn,
solitary, emotionally
cold, and distant. They
are often absorbed with
their own thoughts and
feelings and are fearful
of closeness and
intimacy with others.
Paranoid Personality
Disorder.
The
essential feature for this
type of personality
disorder is interpreting
the actions of others as
deliberately threatening
or demeaning. People
with paranoid personality
disorder are untrusting,
unforgiving, and prone to
angry or aggressive
outbursts without
justification because they
perceive others as
unfaithful, disloyal,
condescending or
deceitful.
Schizotypal Personality
Disorder.
A pattern of peculiarities
best describes those with
schizotypal personality
disorder. People may have
odd or eccentric manners of
speaking or dressing.
Strange, outlandish or
paranoid beliefs and
thoughts are common.
People with schizotypal
personality disorder have
difficulties forming
relationships and
experience extreme anxiety
in social situations.
Cluster B
Antisocial Personality
Disorder
People with antisocial
personality disorder
characteristically act
out their conflicts and
ignore normal rules of
social behavior. These
individuals are
impulsive,
irresponsible, and
callous.
Borderline Personality
Disorder
People with borderline
personality disorder are
unstable in several areas,
including interpersonal
relationships, behavior,
mood, and self-image.
Abrupt and extreme mood
changes, stormy
interpersonal relationships,
an unstable and fluctuating
self-image, unpredictable
and self-destructive actions
characterize the person with
borderline personality
disorder.
Narcissistic Personality
Disorder
People with
narcissistic
personality have an
exaggerated sense of
self-importance, are
absorbed by fantasies
of unlimited success,
and seek constant
attention.
Cluster C
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Avoidant personalities
are often hypersensitive to
rejection and are unwilling
to become involved with
others unless they are sure
of being liked. Excessive
social discomfort, timidity,
fear of criticism, avoidance
of social or work activities
that involve interpersonal
contact are characteristic of
the avoidant personality.
Dependent Personality
Disorder
People with
dependent personality
disorder may exhibit a
pattern of dependent
and submissive
behavior, relying on
others to make
decisions for them.
Obsessive-Compulsive
Personality Disorder
Compulsive
personalities are
conscientious and have
high levels of
aspiration, but they also
strive for perfection.
Never satisfied with
their achievements,
people with compulsive
personality disorder
take on more and more
responsibilities.
How are Personality Disorders Treated?
When these characteristics are carried
to an extreme, when they endure over
time and when they interfere with healthy
functioning, a diagnostic evaluation with a
licensed physician or mental health
professional is recommended.
Psychotherapy for patients with
personality disorders focuses on helping
them see the unconscious conflicts that
are contributing to or causing their
symptoms. It also helps people become
more flexible and is aimed at reducing the
behavior patterns that interfere with
everyday living.