Defining Phobias

Question: I used to think that a phobia was a phobia, and I had a general idea of what that meant. But now I’ve heard of simple phobias and social phobias, and I realize that I don’t know as much as I thought I did. Is there a difference?

Answer: A simple phobia refers to an unreasonable fear of something, such as fear of heights. A social phobia is one that interferes with specific interactions, such as a fear of speaking in front of a group.

For Mrs. P.L., Montreal: Some children who have allergies are mistakenly believed to be hyperactive or inattentive in class. I suggest you arrange to see your pediatrician or family physician. A referral to an allergist may be advisable.