Phobia definition:
A phobia may be a sort of mental disorder. It causes an individual to experience overwhelming or debilitating fear of a situation or thing that typically doesn't pose any real danger.
According to the National Institute of psychological state, within the USA alone, around 12.5% of adults experience a phobia of a selected situation or object at some point in their lives.
This article describes what a phobia is and descriptions of the various categories of phobia. It also lists a number of the foremost common and least common phobias, also as some ways an individual can treat a phobia.
A phobia is an awesome or debilitating fear, usually of something that poses no real danger in the least. If it does pose some danger, the person’s response is typically out of proportion to the particular danger it poses. People with a phobia are generally aware that their fear is irrational. They’re going to nonetheless experience severe anxiety upon exposure to their phobia.
Having a phobia doesn't just mean that somebody is frightened of something. People having phobias have an exaggerated fear response. In severe cases, people may rearrange their lives to avoid things or thing that's causing their anxiety.
There are three broad phobia categories:
- Specific Phobias.
- Social Phobias.
- Agoraphobia.
The sections below will check out these in additional detail.
Specific phobias:
Specific, or “simple,” phobias are people who relate to a specific object or situation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classifies specific phobias consistent with the subsequent categories:
Animal type:
Examples include fear of dogs, snakes, and spiders.
Natural environment type:
This includes storms, water, and heights. Blood, injection, and injury type: Examples include needles, invasive medical procedures, and blood.
Situational type:
Examples include a fear of flying and a fear of closed spaces.
Other types:
This sort is characterized by any phobia that doesn't fit into the above categories.
People often develop specific phobias once they are younger. they'll find that the phobia becomes less severe with age, but this is often not always the case.
Social phobias:
Agoraphobia:
Agoraphobia may be a fear of being in public spaces or crowded areas without a simple means of escape. In severe cases, people with agoraphobia become housebound because they're afraid to go away from their safe space.
Social phobias and agoraphobia are more likely to cause life impairment because things or thing that causes the phobia may be a lot harder to avoid.
Phobias are a standard sort of mental disorder. They will affect a person, no matter their age or sex.
Below may be a list of a number of the foremost common phobias.
A person may develop a phobia of any sort of situation or thing. Due to this, there are many different phobias that folks may experience.
Below are some samples of less common phobias. It is important to notice that health experts may disagree on the definitions of certain phobias, and a few phobias have several names.
Achluophobia or Nyctophobia: Fear/Phobia of darkness.
Androphobia: Fear of men.
Anginophobia: Fear of choking.
Arithmophobia: Fear of numbers.
Autophobia: Fear of being alone.
Bacteriophobia: Fear of bacteria.
Bathmophobia: Fear of steep slopes or stairs.
Coulrophobia: Fear of clowns.
Cyberphobia: Fear of computers.
Emetophobia: Fear of vomiting.
Escalophobia: Fear of escalators.
Gynophobia: Fear of girls.
Hydrophobia, or Aquaphobia: Fear of water.
Iatrophobia: Fear of doctors.
Lockiophobia: Fear of childbirth.
Acrophobia: Phobia of heights.
Nosocomephobia: Fear of hospitals.
Obesophobia: Fear of gaining weight.
Pogonophobia: Fear of beards.
Pyrophobia: Fear of fireside.
Somniphobia: Fear of sleep.
Sciophobia: Fear of shadows.
Trypophobia: Phobia of holes.
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| Trypophobia |
Treatment of Phobia:
Most phobias are treatable, and lots of are curable. In some cases, avoiding the source of a phobia is comparatively easy. However, treatment could also be necessary for people that cannot easily avoid the source of their phobia. The sections below discuss some possible treatment options in these cases.
Self-help techniques:
Self-help techniques involve combining different types of therapy, such as:
Relaxation techniques:
These include breathing exercises that help an individual relax during times of heightened stress or anxiety.
Visualization techniques:
These are exercises that allow an individual to mentally visualize how they're going to successfully deal with a situation that would trigger anxiety.
Self-help groups:
Meeting people with phobias and sharing coping strategies for handling phobias and anxiety can help.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be a sort of talking therapy that's usually very successful in treating phobias. CBT aims to assist people identify irrational thinking patterns and behaviors that maintain or exacerbate their phobia. A CBT therapist will then teach an individual some strategies for handling the phobia during a more rational and adaptive way. These strategies can ultimately reduce feelings of fear round the source of the phobia. CBT typically involves desensitization techniques.
Exposure therapy:
Or “Desensitization Therapy,” involves gradually exposing an individual to their fear until they learn not to be scared of it. For example, if an individual features a fear of spiders, their exposure therapist may recommend that they read a book about spiders. Once the person is comfortable doing this, their therapist may suggest that they hold an image of a spider. The therapist may then arrange for an individual to look at some spiders at a zoo. The ultimate stage of the desensitization technique may involve holding a spider.
Medications:
Since talking therapies are usually effective at treating phobias, medications are rarely necessary. However, a healthcare provider may sometimes prescribe tranquilizers, beta-blockers, or antidepressants to assist control of the anxiety that accompanies a phobia. A person should see a doctor if they need a phobia that's interfering with their everyday activities.
Sometimes, however, a person’s phobia may limit their ability to hunt treatment. For instance, an individual who has severe agoraphobia may fear to leave the house to hunt treatment. Likewise, an individual who has a phobia of healthcare providers or medical procedures may avoid visiting their doctor. In some cases, an individual may feel easier to lecture a healthcare provider over the phone.
The ADAA has a helpful search tool that permits people to seek out a psychotherapist in their area. Some consultants also offer counseling services via email or video. A phobia is an awesome or debilitating fear of a specific situation or thing that likely doesn't pose any real danger. The sources of some phobias are harder to avoid than others.
An individual should seek professional help if their phobia causes constant anxiety or interferes with their lifestyle. Phobias tend to be highly treatable. CBT and desensitization techniques are particularly effective treatments for phobias. An individual can see a doctor or psychotherapist for advice on the way to access these treatments.
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