Specific Phobias Diagnosis Basics Specific phobia is a persistent, irrational fear of particular objects or situations. Specific phobias are the most common of the anxiety disorders, affecting approximately 7.0% of women and 4.3% of men during any six-month period. Most specific phobias, such as the fear of large animals, the dark, or strangers, begin in childhood. Many of these phobias cease as people get older. Some phobias, such as the fear of rodents, insects, storms, water, heights, flying, or enclosed spaces, typically develop later in life. Phobias of a traumatic origin can occur at any time during a person's life. Although people with specific phobia can often cope by avoiding the feared object or situation, specific phobia is cured by exposure therapy. Antianxiety drugs give individuals temporary control over a phobia, but do not cure it. Insight-oriented psychotherapy may help to identify the conflict that underlies a specific phobia.

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From the phrase “ affecting approximately 7.0% of women and 4.3% of men” my guess is that this is hormone related as women need 20-30mg progesterone per day and men need 10-15mg progesterone day. This is why there are quite a few illnesses that have with twice as many women as men having them.

I believe much more general terms for “phobia” are “anxiety attack” or “panic attack”. The following site seems to suggest I am heading in the right direction.

http://www.womentowomen.com/depressionanxietyandmood/anxiety.aspx

This seems to me to be another very good site and towards the end of the page . . .

Anxiety relief: natural treatments for anxiety

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