Many of us have aversions to many things, flying insects, spiders, heights. We may feel a little nervous when looking down from a high place or surprised by a particularly frightening spider.

The difference between these common aversions and Specific Phobia lies in the degree of anxiety associated with the feared stimulus. This may vary from acute levels of anxiety to a full-blown panic attack. Sometimes the individual may not actually lose control but they will picture themselves giving into the fear and losing control.

Specific Phobias are exactly that. The fears are associated with very specific situations. Individuals with Specific Phobia will know their fear is irrational but will be unable to control their level of anxiety when faced with the stimulus. Common responses are the same as those associated with a panic attack. There may be heart pounding, trembling, sweating, nausea and dizziness.

Unlike a realistic threat, Specific Phobia is an intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger.

The National Institute of Mental Health divides the disorder into five specific types:
1. Animal type: This will include insects such as spiders.
2. Natural Environment: Heights, storms, water etc.
3. Blood-injection-injury
4. Situational type: airplanes, elevators, closed in places.
5. Other type: Any phobias that fall outside of the above categories.

Specific phobias are relatively common, affecting 6.3 million Americans and twice as many women as men. If the phobia is easy to avoid many sufferers will not seek treatment. They will simply practice avoidance. For others the phobia limits their capacity to function normally. Specific Phobias are considered highly treatable with carefully targeted psychotherapy.