Anxiety as a causal factor in the development of phobias

Abstract

A Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. Phobia typically results in a rapid onset of fear and is present for more than six months. The affected person goes to great lengths to avoid the situation or object, to a degree greater than the actual danger posed. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure”. The current study is pilot research work based on case study and survey method. It studies the relationship between anxiety and phobia and how anxiety is the causal factor in the development of phobia in the age group between 18 to 25 years in Mumbai city. The survey was conducted with the help of a questionnaire. Under the guidance of the Author “Smt. Bhagyashree Kulkarni”, the co-authors “Miss. Riddhi Rane” and “Miss. Shruti Pawar” observed that 15% individuals possessed higher anxiety levels, 63% were individuals having moderate anxiety levels and 22% were individuals having lower anxiety levels. Whereas, in the second part of the test i.e. the test for phobia, 12% samples showed severe phobia which indicates that these individuals have a fear of any object or any situation which is so intense that it can have a negative impact on their daily life, 60% samples showed mild phobia which means they have a specific phobia of a specific object or situation that usually poses little or no actual danger. And 28% samples showed no phobia.