I have to hold onto the furniture or the wall to keep from falling or fainting. I know I'm going to die. I want to run, but I don't know where. This reaction describes how people generally feel when they are suffering from a phobia. Phobia is a term that refers to a group of symptoms brought on by feared objects or situations.
Phobias affect people of all ages, from all walks of life, and in every part of the country.
They are the most common psychiatric illness among women of all ages and are the second most common illness among men older than 25. Symptoms Phobias can interfere with your ability to work, socialize, and go about a daily routine. They may focus on something as common as germs, or they may arise whenever you venture from home. A phobia that interferes with daily living can create extreme disability and should be treated. Phobias are emotional and physical reactions to feared objects or situations.