A 22-year-old man reports an intense, irrational fear of heights that has persisted since childhood. He avoids tall buildings, glass elevators, and mountain roads. When exposed to heights, he experiences immediate anxiety with trembling and a strong urge to flee. He recognizes his fear is excessive. Which feature most distinguishes this from agoraphobia?
- A The fear is cued by a specific, circumscribed stimulus rather than fear of being unable to escape ✓
- B The presence of panic-like symptoms on exposure
- C The ego-dystonic nature of the fear
- D The avoidance behavior
Correct answer: A. The fear is cued by a specific, circumscribed stimulus rather than fear of being unable to escape
Explanation
Specific phobia involves fear of a discrete object or situation such as heights, animals, or blood. Agoraphobia involves fear of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable. Both can produce panic-like symptoms and avoidance, but the nature of the feared stimulus, a specific object versus a cluster of situations, is the key distinguishing feature.
Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, 11th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.