Phobias

Phobias are anxiety disorders which fall under DSM IV and ICD 10 classification. Unexplained persistent and irrational morbid fears of animate or inanimate objects are phobias. Mainly children and adolescents are involved. Disorder is commonly seen in anxious persons. Fearful anticipations and anxious cognitions appears earlier, giving rise to chronic state of anxiety in later stage. Average age of onset of simple phobia is in childhood and late teenagers and people in early twenties develop social phobias (Marks and Gelder (1966). Agoraphobias have late onset and occurs in mid- twenties. Panic attacks are more frequent in agoraphobias. Situations predisposing to agoraphobias include distance from home, crowding and confinement. Course and onset of agoraphobias differ from other two types of phobic disorders. Isolated phobias of late onset, illness of shorter duration and well adjusted personalities, carry better prognosis. Behavioral therapy in recent years and semi narcotic therapy has been attempted with success.