Everyone experiences some degree of anxiety at some time. But anxiety can occur persistently, and may be triggered by vague notions of a threat. If anxiety interferes with normal activities, you are said to suffer from an anxiety disorder. Phobias, which stem from or accompany anxiety disorders, may be simple in nature or debilitating, requiring extensive cognitive and pharmacological therapy, or even hospitalization. Many people suffer from phobias, in one form or another.
Surveys indicate that phobias are among the most common psychiatric disorders.
More than half of psychiatric respondents, in fact, admit to having at least one phobia. When we suffer from phobic fear, our bodies produce symptoms of anxiety. These symptoms may be fleeting or severe. They are caused when the adrenal glands release large amounts of adrenaline. At the same time, the brain releases its own form of adrenaline, a chemical called norepinephrine.