Jason+Park+Phobia

1. **Describe the differences between specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia.** Specific phobias can be described as strong irrational fear reactions. People with specific phobias will do anything to avoid them, and they can be almost anything at all that would be otherwise not that disturbing to other people. People with specific phobias can realize that their fears are irrational, but that does not help them feel less comfortable when faced with such fears.

Social phobias, or social anxiety disorder, cause people to experience unease and fear of negative evaluation from seemingly nonthreatening social situations. Most of us can feel uneasy by asking someone out or singing in front of hundreds of people, but people with social anxiety disorder can literally feel sick from fear by something as simple as talking. Similar to specific phobias, people with social phobias also realize that their fears are irrational, but are powerless to stop them.

Agoraphobia is the fear of public places and open spaces. Agoraphobics tend to avoid tricky situations with no life-lines, situations from which they think escape would be difficult or help and safety are not available.

2. **What symptoms do children with generalized anxiety disorder have?**

Some symptoms include:
 * “What if” fears about situations far in the future
 * Perfectionism, excessive self-criticism, and fear of making mistakes
 * Feeling that they’re to blame for any disaster, and their worry will keep tragedy from occurring
 * The conviction that misfortune is contagious and will happen to them
 * Need for frequent reassurance and approval

Source: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/generalized_anxiety_disorder.htm

3. **Why is it difficult for individuals with panic disorder to get a correct diagnosis?**

Individuals with panic disorder share symptoms with other life-threatening illnesses such as heart attacks, thyroid failures, and the like. It could take months or even years to receive the correct diagnosis.

4. **Describe the methods used to treat anxiety disorders.**

A vast number of anxiety disorders can be treated with professional help. There are therapies designed to deal with the treatable disorder. Some therapies include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies, Relaxation, and Medication