Phobias are No . 1 psychiatric illness in women , No . 2 in women older than 25 . Coping mechanisms . Fear : ` ` excessive and unreasonable fear of a specific object , person or thing '' Afflicts 19 million people in America , National Anxiety Disorders Association of America . Avoidance is no substitute for treating phobias , expert says .
Phobias are No . 1 psychiatric illness in women , No . 2 in women older than 25 . Fear : ` ` excessive and unreasonable fear of a specific object , person or thing '' Afflicts 19 million people in America , National Anxiety Disorders Association of America . Avoidance is no substitute for treating phobias , expert says .