Symptoms of a phobia
Symptoms of a phobia include:
- severe anxiety and worry
- feeling dizzy and lightheaded
- a more noticeable or unusual heartbeat (palpitations)
- tightness in your chest
- feeling sick or being sick, or diarrhoea
- trembling or shaking
- a strong or intense fear that you may faint, lose control or die
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
- you think you have a phobia and the symptoms are affecting your life
Types of phobias
There are many different phobias and they're usually caused by a particular thing or situation.
Some phobias are only triggered when you come into contact with the object or situation that causes them. These include phobias of:
- animals, such as dogs, insects or snakes
- situations, such as flying, heights, being in a small space
- bodily fluids, such as blood or vomit
Other phobias may have more of an impact on your life. These include phobias of:
- going outside (agoraphobia)
- talking to and interacting with other people (social anxiety)
Things you can do to help a phobia
Phobias are different for everyone but there are things you can do to manage and improve your symptoms.
Do
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try breathing exercises to help you relax
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talk to someone you trust about your phobia
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join a self-help group online or in person - meeting others with similar phobias and experiences can help
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be careful about looking up information online - you may not be ready to see triggering images
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check places like zoos and airlines for sessions they may run for people with phobias
Don’t
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do not have energy drinks or drinks containing caffeine after 3pm, as it can affect your sleep and make your anxiety worse
Treatment for phobias
Phobias can be difficult to cope with, but treatment can help manage your symptoms.
Treatments for phobias include:
- talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- hypnotherapy
- medicines such as antidepressants, beta blockers, and sedatives that calm and relax
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP
More information
Video: Talking therapies for stress, anxiety and depression
Animated video explaining self-referral to talking therapies services for stress, anxiety or depression. Includes British Sign language (BSL) translation.
Media review due: 6 March 2026
Causes of a phobia
It’s not always clear why some phobias start but many can be linked to a frightening event or stressful situation. They usually develop as a child, teenager or young adult.
You may be more likely to have a phobia if:
- a frightening childhood experience – for example, being chased by a dog may cause a phobia of dogs
- you had family or friends with a phobia – it's possible to learn it from others
- other people have reacted to your panic or fear negatively – being embarrassed about your reaction to your phobia can increase your anxiety
- you’re a woman – anxiety disorders are more common in women than in men
- you have a family history of anxiety disorders