A phobia is an excessive and irrational fear reaction. If you have a phobia, you may experience a deep sense of dread or panic when you encounter the source of your fear. The fear can be of a certain place, situation, or object. Unlike general anxiety disorders, a phobia is usually connected to something specific. To name some examples, agoraphobia is a fear of places or situations that you can't escape from. The word itself refers to "fear of open spaces." On the contrary, claustrophobia is a fear of enclosed or tight spaces. Severe claustrophobia can be especially disabling if it prevents you from riding in cars or elevators. Glossophobia is known as performance anxiety, or the fear of speaking in front of an audience. People with this phobia have severe physical symptoms when they even think about being in front of a group of people. Acrophobia is the fear of heights, which is quite common among people. The impact of a phobia can range from annoying to severely disabling. People with phobias often realize their fear is irrational, but they're unable to do anything about it. Such fears can interfere with work, school, and personal relationships. Genetic and environmental factors can cause phobias. Children who have a close relative with an anxiety disorder are at risk of developing a phobia. Distressing events, such as nearly drowning, can bring on a phobia. Exposure to confined spaces, extreme heights, and animal or insect bites can all be sources of phobias. People with ongoing medical conditions or health concerns often have phobias. There's a high incidence of people developing phobias after traumatic brain injuries. Substance abuse and depression are also connected to phobias. The most common and disabling symptom of a phobia is a panic attack. Features of a panic attack include: racing heart, shortness of breath, rapid speech or inability to speak, dry mouth, upset stomach, nausea, elevated blood pressure, trembling, and dizziness. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most commonly used therapeutic treatment for phobias. It involves exposure to the source of the fear in a controlled setting. This treatment can decondition people and reduce anxiety. New CBT techniques use virtual reality technology to expose people to the sources of their phobias safely. If you have a phobia, it's critical that you seek treatment. With the right treatment, you can learn to manage your fears and lead a productive, fulfilling life.