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Specific fears and phobias

Epidemiology and classification

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

George Curtis ,
William J. Magee ,
William W. Eaton ,
Hans-Ulrich Wittchen  and
Ronald C. Kessler
George Curtis
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
William J. Magee
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
William W. Eaton
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Hygiene, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
Hans-Ulrich Wittchen
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Klinisches Institut, Max Planck Institut für Psychiatric Munich, Germany
Ronald C. Kessler
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract

Background

Data on eight specific fears representing DSM–III–R simple phobia were analysed to evaluate: (a) their prevalence and (b) the validity of subtypes of specific phobia defined by DSM–IV.

Method

A modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered to a probability sample of 8098 community respondents. Correlates of responses to questions concerning these fears were analysed.

Results

The most prevalent specific fears were of animals among women, and of heights among men. Slight evidence was found for specific phobia subtypes. Number of fears, independent of type, powerfully predicted impairment, comorbidity, illness course, demographic features, and family psychopathology.

Conclusion

Number of specific fears may mark a general predisposition to psychopathology. More detailed information is needed to resolve the question of specific phobia subtypes.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 173 , Issue 3 , September 1998 , pp. 212 - 217
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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