Irrational fear related to specific objects is the characteristic of :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Specific Phobia
Option (1) Panic Disorder — Incorrect. Panic disorder consists of recurrent anxiety attacks in which the person experiences intense terror that comes suddenly; it is not a fear of one particular object.
Option (2) Generalised Anxiety Disorder — Incorrect. In generalised anxiety disorder the fears are prolonged, vague and unexplained and not attached to any particular object, the very opposite of a fear of specific objects.
Option (3) Specific Phobia — Correct. People who have phobias have irrational fears related to specific objects, people, or situations. Specific phobias, the most commonly occurring type, include intense fear of a certain type of animal, or of being in an enclosed space.
Option (4) Separation Anxiety Disorder — Incorrect. Here the person is fearful and anxious about separation from attachment figures to an extent that is not appropriate for her or his age. The fear is of being away from loved ones, not of an object.
NCERT (2025-26): “Anxiety Disorders … These kinds of fears are termed as phobias. People who have phobias have irrational fears related to specific objects, people, or situations. Phobias often develop gradually or begin with a generalised anxiety disorder. Phobias can be grouped into three main types, i.e. specific phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia. Specific phobias are the most commonly occurring type of phobia. This group includes irrational fears such as intense fear of a certain type of animal, or of being in an enclosed space. Intense and incapacitating fear and embarrassment when dealing with others characterises social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Agoraphobia is the term used when people develop a fear of entering unfamiliar situations. Many people with agoraphobia are afraid of leaving their home.…” “Anxiety Disorders … There are many types of anxiety disorders (see Table 4.1). They include generalised anxiety disorder, which consists of prolonged, vague, unexplained and intense fears that are not attached to any particular object. The symptoms include worry and apprehensive feelings about the future; hypervigilance, which involves constantly scanning the environment for dangers. It is marked by motor tension, as a result of which the person is unable to relax, is restless, and visibly shaky and tense. Another type of anxiety disorder is panic disorder, which consists of recurrent anxiety attacks in which the person experiences intense terror.…” “Anxiety Disorders … Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) is another type of anxiety disorder. Individuals with separation anxiety disorder are fearful and anxious about separation from attachment figures to an extent that is developmentally not appropriate.…” |