Which term describes a persistent, irrational fear and avoidance of a specific object, activity, or situation?

• A. Phobia
• B. Panic Disorder
• C. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer: (A)

A phobia is a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object or situation, paired with avoidance that interferes with daily life. The fear is disproportionate to any real danger and tends to last over time, leading the person to go out of their way to avoid the trigger. This sets it apart from other anxiety-related conditions: panic disorder centers on sudden, repeated panic attacks and worry about having more, generalized anxiety involves diffuse worry across many areas without a single target, and obsessive-compulsive disorder features intrusive thoughts coupled with repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing distress. The idea behind a phobia is that the person would typically acknowledge the fear as excessive, yet feels unable to function normally around the feared object or situation, such as spiders, heights, or flying.