Phobias

Abstract

The term phobias derives from the name of Phobos, a Greek god who according to legend scared his enemies with his awesome face. It was not until the late 1940s that phobias became a distinct psychiatric diagnosis. In psychiatric manuals, phobias are usually divided into three categories: specific (simple) phobia, social phobia, and agoraphobia. This entry describes how phobias affect older people in everyday functioning. The following questions will be especially addressed: How many older people really suffer from phobias? Which factors increase the risk of suffering from late‐life phobias? Are phobias associated with other medical conditions? How can phobias be effectively treated in older adults? Finally, further research avenues will be proposed.