Phobias

Alternative Names

Phobia

What is Phobias

A phobia is an extreme and unreasonable fear of an object or situation. Three types of phobia exist: specific phobia, social phobia and agoraphobia. Specific phobia is a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), animals (zoo-phobia), heights (acrophobia), flying (aerophobia), water (hydrophobia) and many others. Social phobia involves a combination of excessive self-consciousness, a fear of public scrutiny or humiliation in common social situations and a fear of negative evaluation by others. Agoraphobia is a fear of a place (a mall, an elevator or a room full of people). It may be accompanied by panic attacks. Frequently phobia is long-lasting illness with intense physical and psychological reactions.

Signs and symptoms

Phobias produce the following unexpected reactions:

• The feeling of uncontrollable anxiety
• The feeling that you must do everything possible to avoid what you fear
• The inability to function normally because of your anxiety
• Inability to control fears
• Physical and psychological reactions including sweating, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, a feeling of panic and intense anxiety
• Tantrums, clinging or crying in children

Possible complications

Phobias may have negative effects on many aspects of life. They may lead to:

• Social isolation
• Academic, professional and relationship problems
• Persistent stress
• Depression
• Other anxiety disorders
• Substance abuse

What causes

Actually causes of phobias are still unknown. Brain chemicals, genetics and traumatic experiences can influence the development of phobias.

Prevention

If you have unreasonable fears, address for psychological help immediately especially if you have children. Genetics probably play a role in the development of phobias but if children see someone's phobic reactions to fears repeatedly it can arise a phobia in them. Try to suppress and control your fears and not to show them in front of your children.

Treatment

To treat phobia you can take:

• Medications for blocking (beta blockers) the stimulating effects of adrenaline on your body.
• Antidepressants that act on the chemical serotonin, a neurotransmitter in your brain and improve your mood.
• Sedatives that help you relax by reducing the amount of anxiety that you feel.
• Desensitization or exposure therapy that focuses on changing your reactions to the object or situation that you fear.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy for reviewing and coping with the feared object or situation.