Lots of people dislike spiders, feel nervous on planes or hate injections. That does not mean they have a phobia. The difference is not how scary the thing is, but how much the fear takes over.
A fear is proportionate
An ordinary fear is uncomfortable but manageable. You might feel tense at the dentist or jump when you see a spider, but you still go, or you deal with it and move on.
A phobia takes over
A phobia is a fear that is out of proportion to the real danger and starts to shape your life. Common signs include:
- you go out of your way to avoid the thing you fear, even when that is inconvenient or costly
- just thinking about it, or seeing a picture, makes you anxious
- you feel physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, shaking or feeling sick
- you know the fear is bigger than the danger, but you cannot switch it off
- it has lasted for months or years
When to get help
If the fear is stopping you doing things you want or need to do, or you spend a lot of time worrying about it, it is worth getting help. You do not need a diagnosis to talk to a specialist.
If you are not sure how strong your fear is, the free tests on Phobia Guru can give you a rough guide.
Not sure where to start?
Answer three quick questions and we will match you with a phobia specialist who works in your language. You also get a free hypnosis session to help calm anxious moments.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If your fear comes with panic attacks, low mood or anything that worries you about your health, please speak to your GP or doctor. In the UK you can call NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.