Phobias???

[e.maleken]

Whats the difference between a phobia and a specific phobia?
Im confused cos when I did exam papers, the definition says (for phobias) it interferes with everyday functioning in one and then in another it says it intereferes with only specific day to day activities.
Clarification would be much appreciated! & if there is a difference could you please give an example of a phobia??

Thanks!

[Limista]

Phobia: excessive, irrational fear of a stimulus/event that is distressing to a person so they avoid all possible contact with it, thus interfering with everyday functioning. Examples of 'phobias' include social phobia, agoraphobia (note that these are more GENERALISED)

Specific phobia - also known as simple phobia - an excessive, irrational fear of a SINGLE stimulus that is distressing to a person so they avoid all possible contact with it, thus interfering with everyday functioning. An example of a specific phobia is an animal phobia (e.g. of spiders, or mottephobia).

Thus, specific phobia is a branch of the 'phobia' term. 

Phobias interfering with everyday functioning vs. interfering with specific day to day activities is the SAME THING (i.e. day to day = every day).

[e.maleken]

Sorry, I phrased that wrong..
What I meant is that with a specific phobia, it wouldn't really interefere with everyday functioning would it? Cos its a specific object, ie. feathers. Unless you're at a chicken coop or something, it is highly unlikely to see feathers everywhere.

Idk, i just don't get how it can interefere with everyday functioning.

[Felicity Wishes]

Sorry, I phrased that wrong..
What I meant is that with a specific phobia, it wouldn't really interefere with everyday functioning would it? Cos its a specific object, ie. feathers. Unless you're at a chicken coop or something, it is highly unlikely to see feathers everywhere.

Idk, i just don't get how it can interfere with everyday functioning.

Ultimately, someone who has a PHOBIA of feathers will take it to extremes and avoid going outside in fear of seeing birds and they would constantly think of feathers and always worry about seeing feathers.

[e.maleken]

Ohk, I see.
thankyou