Understanding Phobias
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| Author: | Alex Livanos |
| Written: | January 02, 2010 |
| Class: | English IV |
Types of Phobias:
Phobias are specific fears people have that either come naturally or have developed over a lived experience. There are many kinds of phobias. Some of the most common include arachnophobia—the fear of spiders, claustrophobia—the fear of small, confined spaces, agoraphobia—the fear of open spaces, acrophobia—the fear of heights, and mysophobia—the fear of germs and contamination. Many people do not understand the severity of phobias or even what they are, but it is important to know that people can always help out those who do have phobias take the necessary steps to receive the best possible care.
Why it's Important:
It is important to be aware of phobias since many people have some kind of phobia that prevents them from doing certain activities in their daily lives. For instance, someone could be afraid of flying in an airplane due to the extreme heights the plane flies in. This is called acrophobia. People who experience acrophobia may have symptoms that include "shortness of breath, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, sweating, nausea, and overall feelings of dread" (Berger). "The most widely accepted explanation is that acrophobia stems from the natural fear of falling and being injured or killed" (Berger). The small and tight spaces in the plane may also cause a person to be claustrophobic, which is the fear of small spaces. Those that experience claustrophobia may have symptoms that include "sweating, accelerated heart rate, hyperventilation or 'over-breathing,' shaking, light-headedness, nausea, fainting," or "fear of actual harm or illness" (Berger). Despite all else, it is important that you confirm your friend wants you to help so that you do not increase their anxiety. This may cause them to have a panic attack.
The key strategy for overcoming the fear involves devising a plan of gradual exposure to the thing or situation that is feared, but in small steps, so that the person tackles things which are a little bit frightening but not overwhelmingly frightening (Primary Mental Health Service).
By knowing what a phobia is and what some of the common phobias are, you can help a person in a
precarious situation feel much better about their surroundings in that specific moment.
Another way someone who has phobias can be helped is by joining a support group. This may help people cope with
their problems and lower their stress. Rather than individual therapy, group therapy is with many people who share
the same kind of phobia. Often in group therapy sessions, there is even more than one therapist who sits in on the
group. By talking with others who experience the same distress, it is usually much easier for those who don't like
one-on-one therapy. This may be due to possible anxiety or fear of a closed, direct contact.
Group psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach in which a small number of people meet together under the guidance
of a professionally trained therapist to help themselves and one another. The therapy has been widely used and has
been a standard treatment option for over half a century (Berger).
Therapy Options:
Talking to others about your phobia and listening to others who are going through the same phobia
or other kinds, may prove to be beneficial.
Many people find it helps to join a support group because they can share their problems and successes with others
who are going through the same thing. While it doesn't take the place of mental health care, talking with trusted
friends or a member of your faith community can also be very helpful. Family members can play an important role in
a person's treatment by offering support. Learning how to manage stress will help you to stay calm and focused.
Research suggests that aerobic exercise (like jogging, bicycling and swimming) may be of value as well (Seek
Wellness).
Symptoms of Schizophrenia:
Although support groups may be very helpful to some who are looking for ways of treating their
phobias, sometimes it is not always enough.
When all other attempts of reducing the fears of phobias does not work and the phobia becomes more severely
intense, certain treatments for phobias may be available if they become a medical condition, such as
schizophrenia.
A person experiencing schizophrenia is typically characterized as demonstrating disorganized thinking (moving from
one topic to another, in a nonsensical fashion, or making up new words and sounds), and as experiencing delusions
(false ideas) or hallucinations (a person sees, hears, smells, or feels that no one else can see, hear, smell, or
feel). Someone with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary;
may be unresponsive or withdrawn; and may have difficulty expressing normal emotions in social situations
(Berger).
Symptoms of schizophrenia "can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement
disorders, flat affect, social withdrawal, and cognitive deficits" (National Institute of Mental Health). It is
important to receive help as soon as possible for any kind of extreme condition since delaying any time may cause
a person's medical well-being to be at stake, and even worsen. Treatments for other medical conditions can also
include counseling, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and psychiatry.
A complete medical and psychiatric evaluation should be conducted by a licensed physician or psychologist to
obtain an accurate diagnosis and ensure that the symptoms are not being caused by another condition (Medical
Health America).
Raising Awareness:
By understanding phobias and the intense reaction they can have on people, we can take the necessary steps to try and help out those in need of attention. Many of us do not take into consideration that phobias naturally occur or develop over a lived experience. Attaining the best possible care in any situation, whether intense or even minor, can help someone feel so much more stable in their surroundings.
Bibliography:
Berger, Dr. Vincent. "Acrophobia". n.p. www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com.
Psychologist Anywhere Anytime, 2005. Web. 20 Dec. 2009.
Berger, Dr. Vincent. "Claustrophobia". n.p. www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com.
Psychologist Anywhere Anytime, 2005. Web. 20 Dec. 2009.
Berger, Dr. Vincent. "Group Therapy". n.p. www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com.
Psychologist Anywhere Anytime, 2005. Web. 20 Dec. 2009.
Berger, Dr. Vincent. "Schizophrenia". n.p. www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com.
Psychologist Anywhere Anytime, 2005. Web. 20 Dec. 2009.
Mental Health America. "Factsheet: Phobias" n.p. www.mentalhealthamerica.net.
Mental Health America, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2009.
National Institute of Mental Health. "Schizophrenia". n.p. www.nimh.nih.gov.
National Institute of Mental Health, 8 Jan. 2010. Web. 22 Dec. 2009.
Primary Mental Health Service. "Helping Someone Else Overcome a Phobia". n.p. www.pmhtglos.org.uk.
Primary Mental Health Service, 13 Mar. 2009. Web. 28 Dec. 2009.
Seek Wellness. "Phobia". n.p. www.seekwellness.com.
Seek Wellness, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2009.
