Phobias are irrational fears of an activity, situation, or thing. The fear can be so bad it limits a person’s activities and lifestyle. Many people with phobias will go out of their way to avoid the things they fear. It’s estimated that up to 28% of people suffer from them.
Types of phobias
Phobias cause extreme fear
What Are the Causes and Risk Factors for Phobias?
A variety of factors contribute to the development of phobias including genes, cultural influences, and traumatic events
Diagnosed
A variety of healthcare professionals may diagnose phobias
What Medications Treat Phobias?
Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be used to treat phobias.
- Beta-blockers, which counteract the effect of adrenaline in the body, are another class of beta-blocker, are highly addictive and have been shown to be deadly when combined with benzodiazepines (alprazolam, ativan)
Aerophobia
The fear of flying is called aerophobia.
Where Can People Get Information and Help for Phobias?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides education and advocacy for mental health issues
Untreated, phobias can significantly interfere with one’s ability to function and enjoy life.
Phobias may go hand-in-hand with alcoholism
- People who have a phobia are up to twice as likely to be alcoholics compared to those who do not have the condition.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Phobias?
Phobia symptoms include panic, terror, dread, rapid or irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, sweating, feelings of wanting to escape or flee, and trembling.
- People with phobias often know their fears are out of proportion to any actual threat or danger.
Social Phobia
Social phobia is an extreme fear of social situations such as speaking in public and interacting with others
- The fear can be so extreme it can affect one’s relationships with friends, family, and work colleagues
- People with social phobia are terrified of being embarrassed in social situations
Agoraphobia
This fear of being in open spaces or being anywhere from which, they cannot easily leave causes anxiety.
How Are Phobias Treated?
Desensitization therapy is a treatment for phobias that involves gradually exposing a phobic person to what he or she is afraid of until the situation or thing no longer produces fear.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves examining and changing underlying thoughts and behaviors that contribute to unwanted symptoms.
