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What is the difference between FEAR and PHOBIA?

19 June 2010 6 Comments
Mean people asked:


Both of them disturbs a person. But what is major difference between these two?
I know a person and she is too shy and too hesitant. She will not go out if some people are standing out and waits till they go. Fears making frank relations. Is an introvert. Even if she has to ask someone again through mail; she cannot. Does this comes under fear or phobia?

6 Comments »

  • Gaby D said:

    I think it becomes a phobia once it interferes with daily life and becomes disruptive.

  • Emma said:

    phobias are generally irrational, like you’re describing

  • VietTheShiet said:

    i think phobia. phobia are very extreme and ppl do out of norm things.

  • annalyzedgourds said:

    Fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.
    A phobia is an unreasonable sort of fear that can cause avoidance and panic. Phobias are a relatively common type of anxiety disorder.

  • Sweet P said:

    fear [feer]
    n (plural fears)
    1. feeling of anxiety: an unpleasant feeling of anxiety or apprehension caused by the presence or anticipation of danger
    showed no signs of fear

    2. frightening thought: an idea, thought, or other entity that causes feelings of fear
    irrational fears

    3. reverence: respect or awe for somebody or something
    the fear of God

    4. worry: a concern about something that threatens to bring bad news or results (often used in the plural)
    fears for their safe return

    v (past and past participle feared, present participle fear·ing, 3rd person present singular fears)
    1. vti be afraid: to be frightened of somebody or something or about taking action
    She fears going to the dentist.

    2. vt feel reverence for somebody or something: to show respect for or be in awe of somebody or something
    fear God

    3. vt express regretfully: to be sorry to say something (formal)
    I fear that you have not been successful on this occasion.

    phobia (n)

    fear, terror, dread, horror, thing (informal), fright, obsession, paranoia, anxiety

    [ Old English fǣr "calamity, danger," fǣran "frighten" < Indo-European, "to try"]
    pho·bi·a [fṓbee ə]
    (plural pho·bi·as)
    n
    strong fear or dislike: an irrational or very powerful fear and dislike of something such as spiders or confined spaces
    a phobia about traveling in elevators

    [Late 18th century. < -phobia ]

  • Christy MAx said:

    i think Fears are better then Phobia’s b.c a phobia causes fear actually so they are different.
    fear is easily forgotten and overcome but a phobia can cause a mental illness..
    fear won’t cause u to faint.. phobia would..
    the difference is that a phobia grows in the person, but fear can be over come and easily forgotten or distracted by other problems

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