- Exposure to the feared object provokes an anxiety reaction.
- The anxiety and discomfort is out of proportion to the real threat of the feared object.
-
Sweating.
- Poor motor control.
-
Rapid heart rate.
- The person comes to avoid situations in which contact with the feared object or animal may occur -- for example, avoiding driving through tunnels, if tunnels are the subject of the specific phobia. This type of avoidance can interfere with job and social functioning.
- The person may feel weak or cowardly and lose self-esteem when avoiding the object of the phobia.
|
