Phobias

Phobias are a form of Anxiety, similar to compulsive obsessional behaviour

Intense anxiety and abnormal fear may be triggered off by a specific situation or object

Many people have a particular fear,such as a fear of dogs,heights or spiders - that is occasionally upsetting,however - a phobia goes much further than this,being a persistent fear of anxiety that disrups normal life

A phobia is a fear or anxiety that has been carried to extremes - others and the sufferer, recognize that it is irrational

A person with a phobia has such a compelling desire to avoid contact with a feared object or situation that it interferes with normal life

About 1 in 20 people has a phobia

Most phobias have their root in childhood and the problem usually develops in late childhood,adolescene or early adult life

Being exposed to the subject of the phobia causes a panic reaction with crippling anxiety sweating and a rapid heartbea

Even though aware that this intense fear is irrational,a person with a phobia still fears anxiety that can be alleviated only by avoiding the feared object or situation.The need to this may disrupt routines and limit the person's capacity, to take part in day-to-day activities

Different Types of Phobias

It can take different forms, but they can be broadly divided into 2 types Simple & Complex Phobias & Social Phobias

Simple Phobias

Are Phobias that are specific to a single object,sutuation or activity,such as fear of spiders,heights or air travel,are called simple Phobias.e.g Claustrophobia,a fear of enclosed spaces,is a simple phobia.Another example is a fear of blood,which is a common simple phobia that affects more men than women.Simple phobias appear to run in families,but this is thought to be because children often learn their fears from a family member with a similar phobia

Complex & Social Phobias

These Phobias are more complicated and have a number of component fears

Agoraphobia is an example of a complex phobia that involves multiple anxieties and sometimes develop after an unexplained panic attack

Some people recall a stressful situation as the trigger for their symptoms and then become conditioned to be anxious in these circumstance

Some of these complex phobias may include being alone in an open space or being trapped in a public area with no exit or safety

This kind of situations that provoke agoraphobic anxiety include riding on public transport,using lifts and visiting crowded shops

Tactics to avoid these situations may disrupt work and social life,and a person with severe agoraphobia may eventually become housebound

Agographobia may occasionally develop in middle ages and is more common in women

Social Phobias

Such as excessive shyness, are also classified as complex phobias

People with social phobias have an overwhelming fear of embarrasing themselves or of being humiliated in front of other people in social situations such as when they are eating or speaking in public

Most social phobias also begin with a sudden episode of intense anxiety in a social situation,which then become the main focus of the phobias

A person who is lacking in self-esteem is also more likely to develop agoraphobia or a social phobia

No matter how confident we seen,most of us know what it is to feel shy.For some, the feeling is temporary while for others it is as permanent disabling condition that involves feeling desperately uncomfortable in certain situations.The basic cause is always the same,lack of confidence. The symptoms can vary from strong physical reactions such as palpitations,diarrhoea,sickness,panic attacks,butterflies and sweaty palms.To tension,flushing and being tongue-tied

This is one are where possitive thinking won't work.Telling yourself you feel confident when you don't,won't stop the uncomfortable sensations and may make you feel even worse the next time around.The solution is to decide how you want to feel and when you want to feel it,then work it out

1. First think about the situation with these people

2. Next decide what you are good at.Be honest

3. Then look at what other people see, the image you are projecting,is it really who you are.It is very hard to project something you are not.People will see through it eventually,if not immediately

4. Be genuine and people will warm up to your honesty.Once you feel they like what they see,you can relax,and you won't feel shy any more

The first step is to - foucus outwards.You'll quickly find yourself so caught up in what people have to say and you will forget how you are feeling.If you are truly responsive,which means concentrating on what is being said instead of examining yourself for excuses to go home - people will respond to you

Learn to smile - it automatically relxes you and others

Learn a relaxation technique and use it before you go into difficulty situations.One of the best is to tense and then release each part of the body in turn,moving from your toes to your head.Another is to breathe in and out deeply and slowly

Learn how to start conversation.Talking about the weather is fine,If you are watching a football match,or a tv-programme,use it as a starting point.Ask the other person's opinion.Ask leading questions that require a full answer.If you say 'isn't it hot?' the short answer will be yes or no.Ideally questions should seek opinions e.g what is your opinion about so and so or what is your opinion about divorce? How do you spend your weekends? you should get positive answers and keep the conversation going.Move into interests and hobbies - you might find something in common.Keep it light and and cheerful - do not moan or be dreary!! People do not like negative people or to be sucked into other people's problems - at least not in the first meeting.If you are asked something painful,try to be honest.Do not be embarrassed and don't feel the need to talk more if there is a lull in the conversation.Some lulls can be quite comfortable if you are relaxed

Remeber there is nothing wrong with feeling shy,it is normal and quite all right if you are at a party with no one to talk to,to something like 'I'm afraid I get a bit nervous on these occasions,do your?'

If you are at the school date in a new area,choose a friendly face and say ' I am new here,are there any good playgroups/football clubs/mothers/groups to join ? A great way to deal with sitations for which preparation is impossible is to link of the worst that can possibly happen. If you are giving a speech, and you lose the thread of what you are saying.If you are meeting the Queen and you simply dry when she asks you something - it is not going to kill you!

No one has ever actually died of embarrassment.Do not take yourself too seriously.A lot of human failings are quite funny,if you think about them.It would be much better for you to laught afterwards than to go over things again and again until your conficence is knocked futher

Treatment of Complex & Social Phobias

There is a kind of shyness that is so severe it is crippling and just about prevents normal life.It is called social phobias.Seroxat - belonging to the latest generation of anitdepressants (SSR's) has been shown to help suffereres greatly.You doctor can prescribe it - but all antidepressnats are powerful drugs it should be reserved for people who are seriously afflicted with shyness

Different Types of Phobias

Acrophobia - fear of heights,Agoraphobia - fear of open spaces, Ailurophobia - fear of cats,Anthrophobia - fear of people, Aquaphobia - fear of water, Arachnophobia - fear of spiders,Brontophobia - fear of thunder,Claustrophobia - fear of enclosures, Cynophobia - fear of dogs,Equinophobia - fear of horses,Microphobia - fear of germs, Murophobia - fear of mice, Mysophobia - fear of dirt,Ophidiophobia - fear of snakes.Pterophobia - fear of flying, Pyrophobia - fear of fire,Thanatophobia - fear of death,Triskaidekaphobia - fear on number 13, Xenophobia - fear of strangers, Zoophobia - fear of animals

Causes of Phobias

Often no explanation can be found for a phobia.However,occasionally a simple phobia may be traced to an experience earlier in life e.g being trapped temporarily in a confined enclosed space during childhood may lead to claustrophobia in later life.Or if you are a believer in reincarnation - traumatic incident during one of your previous lives

Typical Symptoms of Phobias

Exposure to or simply thinking about the object,creature of situation that generates the phobia leads to intense anxiety accompanied by dizziness and feeling faint,palpitations -the awareness of an abnormally rapid heartbeat,sweating,trembling and nausea,shortness of breath.A factor that is common to every phobia is avoidance.Activities may become so limited because of fear of unexpectedly encountering the subject of the phobia that sufferers become housebound and depressed.Sometimes a person with a phobia attempts to relieve fear by drinking too much or abusing drugs

Treatment of Phobias

If you have a phobia that interferes with your life,you should seek treatment

Many simple phobias can be treated effectively using a form of behaviour therapy,such as desensitization

During treatment,a therapist gives support while you are safely and gradually exposed to the object or situation that you fear.Inevitably,you will experience some anxiety,but exposure is always kept within bearable limits.Members of your family can be given guidance on how to help you cope with your phobic behaviour

If you have symptoms of depression,your doctor may prescribe antidepressant drugs.Some research has shown that people who suffer phobias experience similar symtoms to people with low blood sugar.Ensuring blood sugar levels remain stable may help prevent attacks.Have many small meals over the day.Eat complex carbohydrates (potatoes,wholegrain breads and cereal,rice or past) avoid simple carbohydrates (sugar,sweers,cakes & biscuit).Keep a snack with you at all times,nuts and fresh or dried fruit are best

A simple phobia often resolves itself as a person gets older

However,complex phobias such as social phobias and agoraphobia,tend to persits unless they are treated

More than 9 in 10 people with agoraphobia are treated successfully with desensitization therapy

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*Also see Past Life Regression Therapy on the Rencarnation section of website*

info source:

Dr. Mirriam Stoppard