Specific Phobia Self Test

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PHOBIA SELF-TEST

Phobias—illogical yet powerful fears—affect more than one in eight Americans at some time. Phobias are the most common kind of anxiety disorder. If you suspect that you might suffer from a phobia, complete the following self-test by clicking the "yes" or "no" box next to each question. Print out the test results and show them to your health care professional.

HOW CAN I TELL IF IT'S A PHOBIA?
Yes or no: Are you troubled by any of the following?

Yes No	Powerful and ongoing fear of social situations involving unfamiliar people
Yes No	Fear of places or situations where getting help or escape might be difficult, such as in a crowd or on a bridge
Yes No	Shortness of breath or a racing heart for no apparent reason
Yes No	Persistent and unreasonable fear of an object or situation, such as flying, heights, animals, blood, etc.
Yes No	Being unable to travel alone.

Having more than one illness at the same time can make it difficult to diagnose and treat the different conditions. Illnesses that sometimes complicate anxiety disorders include depression and substance abuse. With this in mind, please take a minute to answer the following questions:

Yes No

Have you experienced changes in sleeping or eating habits?

More days than not, do you feel:

Yes No	Sad or depressed?
Yes No	Uninterested in life?
Yes No	Worthless or guilty?

During the last year, has the use of alcohol or drugs:

Yes No	resulted in your failure to fulfill responsibilities with work, school, or family?
Yes No	placed you in a dangerous situation, such as driving a car under the influence?
Yes No	gotten you arrested?
Yes No	continued despite causing problems for you or your loved ones?

Reference
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, D.C., American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

If you or someone you know would like more information about specific phobias, please click here.

Bookstore of Anxiety Disorders Association of America