National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which term describes an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation?

1. Anxiety disorder

2. Generalized anxiety

3. Phobia

4. Panic disorder

The correct answer is: Phobia

The term that describes an intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation is phobia. Phobias are characterized by an overwhelming and persistent fear that is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the feared object or situation. This can lead to avoidance behaviors and significant distress. Phobias can be classified into specific phobias, which focus on particular things like heights or spiders, and social phobias, which involve fear of social situations. In contrast, anxiety disorders encompass a broader set of conditions that can include generalized anxiety, which is characterized by excessive worry about various aspects of life, rather than a specific focus. Panic disorder involves sudden, intense episodes of fear or discomfort with physical symptoms, but again, it lacks the characteristic focus of a phobia. Therefore, phobia is the most precise term for the intense, irrational fear described in the question.