Close Menu
MOBIEGMOBIEG
  • Home
  • Online Counselling
  • Self-Test Quizzes
  • Job Search
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
MOBIEG
0 Shopping Cart
  • Home
  • Online Counselling
  • Self-Test Quizzes
  • Job Search
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Login
MOBIEGMOBIEG
You are at:Home»Mental Health»Phobias

Phobias

0
By MobieG on September 26, 2018 Mental Health

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified, terror which paralyses needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that describes an excessive and irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation. Phobias involve intense fear surrounding an object or situation that poses little or no real danger. They are different from common concerns in that the associated anxiety is so severe it interferes with daily life and the ability to function normally. People suffering from phobias may go to extreme lengths to avoid encountering or experiencing the feared object or situation.

Though many phobias realise that their worry is unrealistic or unwarranted, feelings of fear and anxiety persist and seem unmanageable, leaving sufferers feeling out of control.

Duration: at least six months


Types of phobias

The American Psychiatric Association identifies three types of phobias:

Specific Phobia: Going to extreme lengths to avoid an activity or object because of fear of danger or harm.

Examples: Fear of heights, snakes, spiders

Social Phobia: A fear of being humiliated or underperforming in social situations. Also known as a social anxiety disorder.

Examples: Fear of public speaking, public restrooms, eating in front of others

Agoraphobia: Feeling discomfort in situations where escape is harrowing or help is not readily available.

Examples: Fear of leaving the house, public transportation, small spaces


A few of the most common specific phobias include:

Arachnophobia: fear of spiders

Ophidiophobia: fear of snakes

Acrophobia: fear of heights

Cynophobia: fear of dogs

Astraphobia: Fear of thunder and lightning

Trypophobia: fear of holes

Aerophobia: fear of flying

Xenophobia: fear of the unknown or unfamiliar (such as foreigners)

Claustrophobia: fear of small spaces

Glossophobia: fear of public speaking

Emetophobia: fear of vomiting


Symptoms

Symptoms of phobias are similar to those of a panic attack. When faced with the specific object, activity, or situation that is the subject of intense fear, an individual with a phobia may exhibit the following symptoms:

  • Uncontrollable feelings of anxiety, dread, and panic
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sweating
  • Trembling, shaking
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Tightening of the chest and sensations of choking
  • Nausea and dizziness
  • Hot or cold flashes
  • An overwhelming desire to escape

Causes

Most phobias develop in childhood and are commonly passed down by a family member. However, the leading cause of phobias is still unknown. Frequent causes of phobias include:

  • Traumatic experience involving an object of fear
  • Experiencing a panic attack in a specific situation or around an object
  • Witnessing someone else being harmed by particular activity or object
  • Hearing a tragic story involving a particular activity or object

Having phobias and fears is common and often rational. However, if these fears begin to interfere with daily life, consult with a doctor. For example, a phobia of driving on the freeway should not be so intense that it keeps a person going to work or school.


Get help

Treatment

Thankfully, phobias are highly treatable, and treatments are usually very effective. Many who receive therapy for phobias see significant results in as little as 1-4 treatment sessions.

Some utilise self-help strategies for dealing with and treating phobias, which may be effective for specific individuals. However, if the phobias in question are severe, especially if they’re severe to the point of causing panic attacks, you may want to find professional help for treating your phobia. Those with a clinically diagnosed phobia might consider seeking professional treatment using one of the following treatment methods:

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): a form of psychotherapeutic treatment that focuses on exploring the patterns of thinking that lead to inappropriate responses in an individual.

Exposure Therapy: a form of psychotherapeutic treatment that exposes patients to their fears in a gradual, systematic, and secure way. Exposure therapy uses extinction learning to teach the individual that their feared object or situation doesn’t result in the expected negative response, leading to a decrease in distress when faced by the feared object.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): a methodology that teaches people to be aware of their thoughts, feelings, and sensations from moment to moment without judgment or blame.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): a type of mindfulness psychotherapy that helps guide people into accepting negative experiences and challenges

Supplementing these methods with alternative treatments like meditation, mindfulness training, or yoga may facilitate recovery.



 

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Coping with trauma

Burnout – Total Exhaustion Syndrome

Conquering Low Self-Esteem

Comments are closed.

MORE INFORMATION
  • Mental Health
    • Eating Disorders
    • Low self-esteem
ALL CONTENT CATEGORIES
  • Abuse
    • Gender-based violence
  • Career & Study Help
    • Education Options
  • Cyber Safety
  • Family / Community
    • Gangsterism
  • Legal issues
  • Medical Issues
    • Cancer
    • Pregnancy
    • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
      • HIV/AIDS
  • Mental Health
    • Eating Disorders
    • Low self-esteem
  • MobieG News
  • Other
    • GBV: Types of abusers
  • Personal Issues
  • Quizzes
  • Relationships
  • Services
Donate
Please help us to keep providing our services to people in need!

DONATE
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Hosting by IT Hero

Auditing Services by Coetzee & Associates

Cubic Ice
This website is run by Livejam NPC. © 2025 All rights Reserved. | Website Disclaimer

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.

Lost password?