Everything You Need to Know about Phobias

In this post, we are going to present to you the important information related to phobias. So, if you want to know more about it, then keep on reading and enjoy! (Courtesy of counselingreviews.com)

Phobias – What Are They?

Phobia refers to an irrational and excessive reaction to something. When you face something or someone that causes your phobia, you might get threatened or experience a sense of panic. The cause of your fear might be an object, a situation, or a place.

Individuals with phobias know how irrational their fear is. But sadly, they cannot do anything to control it. Not only that, but they might also experience severely disabling or/and annoying reactions. Since their fear reactions are uncontrollable, it may cause problems with your relationships, school, and work.

According to a study, there are 19 million Americans approximately, who are experiencing phobias that can affect their ways of living negatively. If you feel threatened about something or you fear doing something you want, it is important to seek the guidance and help of the professionals.

What Are The Possible Causes of Phobias?

There are two factors that can cause a person to have a phobia. These are environmental and genetic factors. Nearly drowning, and other distressing situations might also lead to a phobia. Individuals who are related to a person who is suffering from an anxiety disorder can possibly develop a phobia. Phobias might also result from sudden exposure to insect or animal bites, extremely high heights, or confined areas. If you are not sure that you have an anxiety problem, check out this article for early signs of anxiety.

Health concerns or any other medical conditions can lead a person to develop a phobia. There is also a high possibility for individuals to experience a phobia after experiencing a very traumatic situation or injury. Aside from that, overthinking and drug abuse can also lead a person to experience phobia.

Different people with phobias show different signs and symptoms. As mentioned, this type of anxiety disorder can be the result of some serious mental problems, which include schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental illness causing an individual to experience disorganized symptoms, negative symptoms like anhedonia, paranoia, delusions, and auditory and visual hallucinations.

What is Social Phobia?

Social anxiety disorder is another term that refers to social phobia. This can result in a person to isolate himself or herself from other people and have a hard time dealing with various social situations. This type of phobia can give someone an excess fear when doing the simplest interaction, which includes answering a phone call or paying bills. Individuals who have this kind of phobia restrict themselves from going outside to prevent being in a public situation or interaction.

What is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia refers to the feeling of being threatened because of a situation or area that is inevitable. This type of phobia is the fear of being in an open area. Individuals who are experiencing agoraphobia are afraid to get trapped outdoors or being part of a large crowd.

Individuals with this disorder are afraid to experience a panic attack while they are in an area surrounded by many people. On the other hand, those who have severe medical health problems are afraid to experience a medical emergency in an area where no one could help them.

What are the Different Types of Phobias?

The following are the most common types of phobias anyone may experience;

• Nyctophobia

This refers to the fear of someone getting stuck in the darkness. You can develop this phobia caused by your childhood fears. When this childhood fears progress as you get older, this will no longer be considered as a typical fear but rather a phobia.

• Ophidiophobia

People who are afraid of snakes are considered to be ophidiophobic.

• Cynophobia

This type of phobia causes a person to get threatened by the simple barks of dogs – whether it is friendly or not.

• Arachnophobia

As its name suggests, this type of phobia is the fear of spiders.

• Homophobia

This is the fear of being injured or seeing red blood. People with this kind of fear might faint once they encounter blood coming from their own body or other person’s body.

• Dentophobia

Are you afraid of the dentist or to undergo any dental procedures? Well, this might be an indication that you have dentophobia. People who experience a bad experience inside a dental clinic might develop this type of fear.

The Possible Signs and Symptoms of Phobia

A panic attack is the most disabling and common symptom that a person might experience when having a phobia. The following are the possible signs and symptoms of phobia;

• Too much sweating
• The feeling of being choked
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Shaking or trembling
• Stomachache
• Dry mouth
• Racing or pounding heartbeat
• Nausea
• Tightness of chest
• Increased level of blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• The inability of rapidness to talk

Treatments

Treating phobias may involve the use of medications or/and therapeutic techniques.

Medication

Doctors might recommend people with phobias to take anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants to alleviate their physical and emotional reactions when encountering the source of their fears.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Experts commonly use the CBT or the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy method when treating people with phobias. The treatment will expose the person to an object, place, or situation that causes them to feel trembled and threatened. But, this will be done in a controlled area. But, the combination of professional therapy and medication is the most recommended method to treat phobias.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing at least two symptoms of phobia when you encounter certain things, there’s a high chance that you have developed a phobia. If that is the case, it is important to ask the guidance and help of the professionals. It cannot be denied how hard for a person with a phobia to overcome this disorder.

But, keep in mind that there is always hope. With the proper medication, right treatment, and guidance of a professional, you can slowly learn how to manage and overcome your fears. That being said, you can have a more fulfilling and productive life without getting threatened by something.