Excessive, irrational, and inappropriate fear of an object or situation, which often leads to avoidance of the feared object or situation, is ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description matches the symptoms of a phobia, which is an anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent and excessive fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that is in reality not harmful or dangerous. The fear can be so overwhelming that it interferes with the person's daily life and activities. Avoidance behavior is a hallmark of phobias as it provides temporary relief from the anxiety but reinforces the fear in the long run. A phobia is not a normal response to a particular situation or object and goes beyond the bounds of reason.

Excessive, Irrational, and Inappropriate Fear of an Object or Situation