Anxiety vs Phobia
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Anxiety and Phobia are two distinct conditions, although they share some similarities. Anxiety is the feeling of apprehension and worry, which becomes a disorder when it disrupts the daily routine of the individual. Phobia, on the other hand, is an excessive fear of certain objects and situations. Phobias are categorized under anxiety disorders. In this article, the difference between anxiety and phobia will be explored while providing an understanding of each term.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is the feeling of unease, worrying, and apprehension. It is natural to feel uneasy when encountering a difficult situation, such as facing an examination, speaking in public, or waiting for important news. However, there are situations where anxiety becomes overwhelming and out of proportion to the circumstances. This type of anxiety is considered an anxiety disorder, where the anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger.
According to psychologists, there are various anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. Phobias are also categorized under anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders have a range of symptoms, based on the specific disorder, such as difficulty sleeping, feelings of anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle tension. However, these can differ from one disorder to another. It is important to note that anxiety disorders significantly interfere with the individual’s daily routine.
What is Phobia?
A phobia is an intense fear that an individual feels when there is little or no danger in reality. People have various phobias, such as fear of animals, natural environments, situational fears, social phobia, and agoraphobia. Social phobia is an extreme fear of social or performance situations, while agoraphobia is marked by the fear of being in open spaces, using public transportation, being in enclosed places, standing in line or being in a crowd, or being outside of the home alone. Phobias can be treated with certain therapies and counseling.
What is the difference between Anxiety and Phobia?
• Anxiety is the feeling of unease, worrying, and apprehension, while phobia is an intense fear that an individual feels when in reality there is little or no danger.
• Anxiety is natural as we all feel anxious in difficult situations, but phobias are not. They are considered as disorders that need to be treated.
• Anxiety can become a disorder when it disrupts the individual’s daily routine. Phobias are also considered a type of anxiety disorder.
Key Takeaways
- Anxiety is a natural feeling of unease, worrying, and apprehension, while phobia is an intense fear of certain objects or situations.
- Both anxiety and phobias can become disorders when they interfere with an individual’s daily routine, with phobias being a type of anxiety disorder.
- There are various types of anxiety disorders, each with different symptoms, and phobias can be treated with therapies and counseling.
