Specific phobia is characterised by:
- an intense fear or anxiety related to a specific object, activity or situation which is out of proportion with the degree of danger actually posed.
- active efforts to avoid the feared object, activity, or situation (e.g., always taking the stairs to avoid going in an elevator).
A diagnosis of specific phobia is made when these symptoms are present for six months or longer and cause the person significant distress, or interfere with important aspects of the person’s life, such their work or relationships.