A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that an individual has a consistent and exaggerated fear of a specific object , place or situation. This means the individual is most likely to avoid what they fear , although what the individual fears often poses no actual threat or danger to the person themselves.
There are two different types of phobias. One called " Specific Phobias" which can also be known as " Simple Phobias". The other main phobia group is called " Complex Phobias" which may be referred to as " Social Phobias".
Specific phobias are usually a phobia of a particular object or situation that an individual may experience. Often specific phobias start at a young age and though some may grow out of their phobia, for others it may be a phobia they cope with throughout their life.
Here are some examples of Specific phobias below:
Animal Phobias - It is not uncommon that an individual may have a fear of an animal. The most common animals fears are usually spiders , snakes , mice, birds , incests , cats and dogs.
Environmental phobias - An individual may be afraid of thunder and lightening , hurricanes or tornadoes , water or even heights.
Situational phobias - Situational phobias tend to be related to situations or circumstances such as having a fear of flying , visiting the dentist , lifts and escalators or even being in small spaces.
Body related phobias - Body related phobias often refer to having a fear of things such as injections , blood or vomit.
Social phobias are more complex than specific phobias. Individuals with a Social phobia tend be extremely anxious and very self- conscious in everyday social situations. Social phobia comes under the diagnose of " A Social Anxiety Disorder" and individuals have an increasingly intense fear of being watched or judged by other members of society. For somebody with a social phobia their fear can be so severe that simple things for other people such as work , school , meeting friends or being social with people , shopping or everyday activities is very difficult for somebody with a social phobia. Their fear can be so extreme that it may effect and interfere with the individual from leading a normal day to day life.
Some Of The Most Common Phobias Include:
Social interaction fear - Social interaction includes things such as meeting friends , going to parties , meeting new people , busy places or even a working environment.
Performance fear - Performance fear relates to public speaking such as presenting a presentation to other individuals.
Observation fear - Observation fear relates to an individual having an intense fear of being watched or seen by others, even just walking down the street to the shop.
AGORAPHOBIA
A person suffering with a social phobia is most likely to suffer with Agoraphobia which is also an anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia is one of the more extreme social phobias , a person suffering with Agoraphobia is severely afraid of any kind of social situations. The individual feels like they are at a high risk of danger and becomes fearful of the outside world. The extreme anxiety they experience often leads the individual to become housebound.
Other Known Phobias :
Arachnophobia
Emetophobia
Dentophobia
Trypanophobia
Cibophobia
Erythrophobia
Aerophobia
Possible Causes Of Phobias
There is no one particular set cause of why somebody develops a phobia. Every individual is different , therefore the causes of the individual developing a phobia will differ from each other.
However here are some possible causes which may contribute to a person developing a phobia:
. Genetics - Genetics may contribute to a person developing a phobia. If there is a family history of someone having a certain phobia it is possible that an individual may have developed the same phobia. Some people may be born with a propensity to be more anxious than others.
. Incident/ Trauma - A phobia can be linked to a specific incident or trauma that an individual may have experienced. For example somebody who got trapped in a lift / elevator because it broke , may become fearful of using a lift / elevator and develop a phobia of using elevators.
. Learned Responses - The family environment may be a factor that can contribute an individual to developing a phobia. A person may have picked up on a family members responses and anxieties towards different things in their earlier life.
Psychical And Emotional Response Of Having A Phobia
Psychical
Sweating
Short Of Breath
Chest Pains
Fast heart rate
Dizziness / Fainting
Butterflies in their tummy
Tearful
Feeling like their are going to be sick
Emotional
Disappointed
feeling stupid
Useless
Unhappy
Distress
Embarrassed
Defeated
Fearful
Lonely
Worried
Self Help
Lifestyle changes may help an individual reduce the symptoms of a phobia. Lifestyle changes may include:
. Regular exercise
. Regular and balanced meals
. Getting enough sleep
. Avoiding things such as caffeine or other stimulants
Another self help is " Self-exposure Therapy " which includes the following :
Relaxation techniques such as a variety of physical exercise , breathing exercise , meditation or yoga. This may help an individual to have some control of their breathing when suffering the symptoms of a phobia. Self help groups may be useful for an individual with a phobia , as meeting other people who share similar experiences as the individual could be useful as they may share different coping mechanisms with each other.
Help , Support And Treatment
For individuals who are struggling with a phobia there is help and treatments available to support them.
Here are some options available who seek help :
Counselling - Counsellors will listen to individuals problems and help them find a way to overcome their problems.
Psychotherapy - A psychotherapist will use a more direct and in - depth approach to find the cause of the individuals problems and suggests coping mechanisms to help deal with their problems.
CBT - CBT is a type of counselling that explores the individuals thoughts , feelings and behaviour which will help find practical ways of dealing with the individuals phobia.
Medication - Medication is not essential but may help a person suffering with a phobia which causes them to have anxiety symptoms may be useful to some individuals.
GP - Making an appointment to see there doctor is important for an individual to seek help for there concerns about their phobia. A doctor can provide help and information for the individual and will usually refer the individual for therapy.
More Help And Information
MIND.ORG
HELP GUIDE. ORG
TOPUK.ORG
PHOBIA.ABOUT.COM
RCPSYCH
MAYO CLINIC
NHS CHOICES
BUPA UK
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xoxox
Some Of The Most Common Phobias Include:
Social interaction fear - Social interaction includes things such as meeting friends , going to parties , meeting new people , busy places or even a working environment.
Performance fear - Performance fear relates to public speaking such as presenting a presentation to other individuals.
Observation fear - Observation fear relates to an individual having an intense fear of being watched or seen by others, even just walking down the street to the shop.
AGORAPHOBIA
A person suffering with a social phobia is most likely to suffer with Agoraphobia which is also an anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia is one of the more extreme social phobias , a person suffering with Agoraphobia is severely afraid of any kind of social situations. The individual feels like they are at a high risk of danger and becomes fearful of the outside world. The extreme anxiety they experience often leads the individual to become housebound.
Other Known Phobias :
Arachnophobia
Emetophobia
Dentophobia
Trypanophobia
Cibophobia
Erythrophobia
Aerophobia
Possible Causes Of Phobias
There is no one particular set cause of why somebody develops a phobia. Every individual is different , therefore the causes of the individual developing a phobia will differ from each other.
However here are some possible causes which may contribute to a person developing a phobia:
. Genetics - Genetics may contribute to a person developing a phobia. If there is a family history of someone having a certain phobia it is possible that an individual may have developed the same phobia. Some people may be born with a propensity to be more anxious than others.
. Incident/ Trauma - A phobia can be linked to a specific incident or trauma that an individual may have experienced. For example somebody who got trapped in a lift / elevator because it broke , may become fearful of using a lift / elevator and develop a phobia of using elevators.
. Learned Responses - The family environment may be a factor that can contribute an individual to developing a phobia. A person may have picked up on a family members responses and anxieties towards different things in their earlier life.
Psychical And Emotional Response Of Having A Phobia
Psychical
Sweating
Short Of Breath
Chest Pains
Fast heart rate
Dizziness / Fainting
Butterflies in their tummy
Tearful
Feeling like their are going to be sick
Emotional
Disappointed
feeling stupid
Useless
Unhappy
Distress
Embarrassed
Defeated
Fearful
Lonely
Worried
Self Help
Lifestyle changes may help an individual reduce the symptoms of a phobia. Lifestyle changes may include:
. Regular exercise
. Regular and balanced meals
. Getting enough sleep
. Avoiding things such as caffeine or other stimulants
Another self help is " Self-exposure Therapy " which includes the following :
Relaxation techniques such as a variety of physical exercise , breathing exercise , meditation or yoga. This may help an individual to have some control of their breathing when suffering the symptoms of a phobia. Self help groups may be useful for an individual with a phobia , as meeting other people who share similar experiences as the individual could be useful as they may share different coping mechanisms with each other.
Help , Support And Treatment
For individuals who are struggling with a phobia there is help and treatments available to support them.
Here are some options available who seek help :
Counselling - Counsellors will listen to individuals problems and help them find a way to overcome their problems.
Psychotherapy - A psychotherapist will use a more direct and in - depth approach to find the cause of the individuals problems and suggests coping mechanisms to help deal with their problems.
CBT - CBT is a type of counselling that explores the individuals thoughts , feelings and behaviour which will help find practical ways of dealing with the individuals phobia.
Medication - Medication is not essential but may help a person suffering with a phobia which causes them to have anxiety symptoms may be useful to some individuals.
GP - Making an appointment to see there doctor is important for an individual to seek help for there concerns about their phobia. A doctor can provide help and information for the individual and will usually refer the individual for therapy.
More Help And Information
MIND.ORG
HELP GUIDE. ORG
TOPUK.ORG
PHOBIA.ABOUT.COM
RCPSYCH
MAYO CLINIC
NHS CHOICES
BUPA UK
Instagram - xovintagewayoflifexo
Twitter - V_wayoflifexo
Facebook - TheInnerVoiceAndASoulWithStrength
Love Ava
xoxox
