Different Ages of Onset in Varieties of Phobia

One hundred and thirty-nine adult phobic patients presenting for treatment were subdivided into four groups with phobias of: I) animals and insects; II) specific situations (e.g., heights, thunder); III) social situations; and IV) agoraphobia. All four groups first sought treatment at comparable ages in adult life. However, the onset age of phobias differed between groups: hardly any phobias of animals and insects had started after age five, while most phobias of the other varieties started after age ten. This suggests a facilitatory period in early childhood for the acquisition of certain fears. This different onset age of animal phobias was accompanied by other differentiating features: circumscribed symptoms, continuous course, and a better response to behavior therapy despite longer duration of symptoms.