| The term "phobia" refers to a group
of symptoms brought on by certain objects or situations.
A specific phobia, formerly called a simple phobia, is a lasting and unreasonable fear
caused by the presence or thought of a specific object or situation that usually poses
little or no actual danger. Exposure to the object or situation brings about an immediate
reaction, causing the person to endure intense anxiety (nervousness) or to avoid the
object or situation entirely. The distress associated with the phobia and/or the need to
avoid the object or situation can significantly interfere with the person's ability to
function. Adults with a specific phobia recognize that the fear is excessive or
unreasonable, yet are unable to overcome it.
There are different types of specific phobias, based on the object or situation feared,
including:
Animal phobias:
Examples include the fear of dogs, snakes, insects or mice.
Animal phobias are the most common specific phobias.
Situational phobias:
These involve a fear of specific situations, such as flying,
riding in a car or on public transportation,
driving, going over bridges or in tunnels, or of being in a
closed-in place.
Natural environment phobias:
Examples include the fear of storms, heights or water.
Blood-injection-injury phobias:
These involve a fear of being injured, of seeing blood or of
invasive medical procedures,
such as blood tests or injections
Other phobias:
These include a fear of falling down, a fear of loud sounds
and a fear of costumed characters, such as clowns.
A person can have more than one specific phobia.
What Are the Symptoms of Specific Phobias?
Symptoms include:
Excessive or irrational fear of a specific object or situation.
Avoiding the object or situation, or enduring it with great distress.
Physical symptoms of anxiety or a panick attack, such as a pounding heart, nausea or
diarrhea, sweating, trembling or shaking, numbness or tingling, problems with breathing
(shortness of breath), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, feeling like you are choking.
Anticipatory anxiety, which involves becoming nervous ahead of time about being in certain
situations or coming into contact with the object of your phobia. (For example, a person
with a fear of dogs may become anxious about going for a walk because he or she may see a
dog along the way.)
Children with a specific phobia may express their anxiety by crying, clinging to a parent
or throwing a tantrum.
How Common Are Specific Phobias?
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 5%-12% of Americans have
phobias. Specific phobias affect an estimated 6.3 million adult Americans.
Phobias usually first appear in adolescence and adulthood, but can occur in people of all
ages. They are slightly more common in women than in men. Specific phobias in children are
common and usually disappear over time. Specific phobias in adults generally start
suddenly and are more lasting than childhood phobias. Only about 20% of specific phobias
in adults go away on their own (without treatment).
What Causes Specific Phobias?
The exact cause of specific phobias is not known, but most appear to be associated with a
traumatic experience or a learned reaction. For example, a person who has a frightening or
threatening experience with an animal, such as an attack or being bitten, can develop a
specific phobia. Witnessing a traumatic event in which others experience harm or extreme
fear can also cause a specific phobia, as can receiving information or repeated warnings
about potentially dangerous situations or animals.
Fear can be learned from others, as well. A child whose parents react with fear and
anxiety to certain objects or situations is likely to also respond to those objects with
fear.
A specific phobia is diagnosed if the person's fear and anxiety are particularly
distressing or if they interfere with his or her daily routine, including school, work,
social activities and relationships.
Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, may help reduce anxiety symptoms.
Although many specific phobias cannot be prevented, early intervention and treatment
following a traumatic experience, such as an animal attack, may prevent the person from
developing severe anxiety.
If you're experiencing a specific phobia, call me today to schedule a FREE consultation
appointment to discuss how Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy can help you.
"Change
your mind,
Change
your life!"
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