PHOBIAS
Posted on November 18, 2017 by Sydney Ceruto, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Understanding and Overcoming phobias.
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, defined by a persistent irrational fear of an object or situation. The phobia typically results in a rapid onset of fear and is present for more than six months. Unfortunately, what is driving your fear is not a reasoned assessment of the risks and often panic attacks ensue.
Everyone feels anxious or uneasy from time to time. Your first day on a new job, planning for a long trip, going to the dentist….your palms sweat, you feel shaky, your heart pounds. Some anxiety helps to keep you focused on the job at hand. However, when your anxiety is so serious that it interferes with your work, leads you to avoid certain situations or keeps you from enjoying life, you may be suffering from a form of the most common type of mental disorder, an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are not just a case of “nerves.” You can’t overcome an anxiety disorder just through willpower, nor can the symptoms be ignored or wished away. These disorders cause you to feel anxious most of the time, making some everyday situations so uncomfortable that you may avoid them entirely. Or, you may experience occasional instances of anxiety that are so terrifying and intense that you may be immobilized with fear.
Although these conditions can be very frightening and disabling, they are also very treatable. It is important to recognize the symptoms and seek help immediately. Features of a panic attack include: pounding or racing heartshortness of breathrapid speech or inability to speak,dry mouth, upset stomach, nausea, elevated blood pressure, trembling or shaking, chest pain or tightness, a choking sensation, dizziness or lightheadedness, profuse sweating, and or a sense of impending doom.
However, a person with a phobia doesn’t have to have panic attacks for accurate diagnosis. There are three main groups of phobias which include: Specific (simple) phobias, which are the most common and focus on specific objects, Social phobia, which causes extreme anxiety in social or public situations, and Agoraphobia, which is the fear of being alone in public places from which there is no easy escape.In my practice, I have found great success in treating my clients with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This form of therapy is the most commonly used for the therapeutic treatment of a plethora of phobias. It involves exposure to the source of the fear in a controlled setting. This treatment can decondition people and reduce anxiety. The therapy focuses on identifying and changing negative thoughts, dysfunctional beliefs, and negative reactions to the phobic situation. New CBT techniques use virtual reality technology to expose people to the sources of their phobias safely.
If you have a phobia, it’s critical that you seek treatment. Overcoming phobias can be difficult, but there’s hope. With the right treatment, you can learn to manage your fears and lead a productive, fulfilling life.
