Am I just scared or is it a phobia?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a fear and a phobia. Fear is generally defined as a reasonable reaction to a potentially dangerous or unknown situation or thing–it’s a realistic reaction to something that might cause harm. A phobia, however, is if this fear becomes exaggerated, unrealistic or out of proportion to the actual risk the situation or item poses. There are specific criteria that must be met for a phobia to be officially diagnosed. For example, actively avoiding the situation or object, experiencing excessive or unreasonable fear or anxiety to what’s average in culture and society, and having that fear or anxiety cause serious distress that interferes with your ability to function how you would like to. If you’re wondering whether what you’re experiencing is a phobia or not, it might be helpful to consult your healthcare provider for a clearer answer.

Feeling scared, or even frightened, is a normal part of being a human and it's a normal feeling to experience. However, when this fear begins to interfere with your whole life, it can feel more than just a passing worry. The difference between an everyday fear and a phobia is the strength and persistence of this fear, as well as how much it impacts your daily functioning. Self reflection, journaling and therapy can be useful in helping you to identify whether what you are experiencing is just heightened anxiety, or a phobia. Remember, you are not alone and you can work through this.

Being frightened or scared of something that bothers you is a common and normal feeling. It only becomes a problem when it is excessive, lingering, and hinders your normal daily activities.