Phobia

A phobia is an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal. They develop when a person has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation or object. Things that may put a child at risk for a phobia include shyness, a traumatic event in early childhood, or mental health issues in family members. Symptoms include increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, a feeling of choking and upset stomach.