What are the specifiers for specific phobia?
Diagnostic criteria for specific phobia The sufferer recognizes that their fear is disproportionate to the perceived threat or danger (not always present in children) Individuals take steps to avoid the object or situation they fear, or endure such experiences with intense distress or anxiety.
What is the phobia of germs?
Germaphobia (also sometimes spelled germophobia) is the fear of germs. In this case, “germs” refers broadly to any microorganism that causes disease — for instance, bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Germaphobia may be referred to by other names, including: bacillophobia. bacteriophobia.
What is an example of a specific phobia?
Common categories of specific phobias are a fear of: Situations, such as airplanes, enclosed spaces or going to school. Nature, such as thunderstorms or heights. Animals or insects, such as dogs or spiders.
What are the five types of specific phobias?
Specific phobias
- Animal phobias. Such as dogs, insects, snakes or rodents.
- Phobias of the natural environment. Such as heights, water, darkness, storms or germs.
- Situational phobias. Such as flying, going to the dentist, tunnels, small spaces or escalators.
- Body-based phobias.
- Sexual phobias.
- Other phobias.
How common is specific phobia?
How Common Are Specific Phobias? The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 5%-12% of Americans have phobias. Specific phobias affect an estimated 6.3 million adult Americans.
What is the most common phobia?
So what are the 5 most common phobias?
- Arachnophobia – fear of spiders.
- Ophidiophobia – fear of snakes.
- Acrophobia – fear of heights.
- Agoraphobia – fear of situations where escape is difficult.
- Cynophobia – fear of dogs.
What is a germ freak?
Germophobia is a term used to describe a pathological fear of germs, bacteria, uncleanliness, contamination, and infection. Germophobia, also known as mysophobia, verminophobia, and bacillophobia, is most commonly associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) but can present in a wide variety of people.
What is the most common specific phobia?
Animal phobias: Examples include the fear of dogs, snakes, insects, or mice. Animal phobias are the most common specific phobias.
What does it mean to have fear of germs?
Mysophobia (pronounced [mee-soh-fo-bee-ah]) can be characterized as a fear of germs, or being infected by a pathogen, or becoming contaminated or unclean. It is often referred to as: In the DSM-5 it is often classified under ‘Specific Phobia’ (300.29). To be diagnosed with this specific phobia, you must fit at least 3 of the below criteria:
Can a family member have a germaphobia phobia?
Many people with germaphobia can recall a specific event or traumatic experience that led to germ-related fears. Family history. Phobias can have a genetic link. Having a close family member with a phobia or another anxiety disorder can increase your risk. However, they might not have the same phobia as you.
What are the physical signs of germophobia?
Signs of Mysophobia. When a person is exposed to germs or potential contamination, they may experience the physical symptoms of panic, such as increased heart rate, nausea, shortness of breath, sweating, etc.
What are the symptoms of a specific phobia?
Symptoms A specific phobia involves an intense, persistent fear of a specific object or situation that’s out of proportion to the actual risk. There are many types of phobias, and it’s not unusual to experience a specific phobia about more than one object or situation. Specific phobias can also occur along with other types of anxiety disorders.