simple phobia
Noun: A simple phobia is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific, well-defined object or situation. It is distinct from more complex phobias like agoraphobia.
The term is used in clinical psychology and psychiatry to classify a specific category of phobic disorders. It describes fears triggered by clear, identifiable stimuli. - Her fear of spiders was diagnosed as a simple phobia. - Common examples of simple phobias include fear of heights, animals, or seeing blood.
In diagnostic frameworks, a simple phobia (also historically called a "specific phobia") is differentiated by its focus on a singular, circumscribed trigger. The reaction is typically immediate and excessive. - The treatment for a simple phobia often involves gradual exposure therapy.
- Specific phobia: The modern diagnostic term often used synonymously with "simple phobia."
- Agoraphobia: A related but distinct complex phobia involving fear of situations where escape might be difficult.
- Social phobia: A phobia involving fear of social or performance situations.
- Specific phobia
- Isolated phobia
Not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. The term is primarily clinical.
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any phobia (other than agoraphobia) associated with relatively simple well-defined stimuli
