Your friend's mother is afraid of squirrels. While she knows squirrels are basically harmless, she cannot control her anxiety when she sees either a real squirrel or a picture of a squirrel. What is most consistent with these symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fear of squirrels is a specific phobia, which involves an excessive or irrational fear of a specific object or situation. The fact that the mother cannot control her anxiety and experiences it even when looking at pictures of squirrels suggests that it is a phobia rather than generalized anxiety disorder. Conversion disorder involves physical symptoms with no apparent medical cause, and panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks.

Your Friend's Mother Is Afraid of Squirrels