How to Overcome Phobia

Millions of people all over the world suffer from some sort of phobia which is basically fear. Right from a celebrity to an ordinary person, every one has their own monster under their bed to grapple with. It is a fear which can block the person’s ability to socialize or do their everyday work. These fears are unreasonable and irrational, but still difficult to control. It also belongs to a large group of mental problem know an “anxiety disorder”. This interferes with normal day-to-day life. With the right treatment and self-help strategies, one can overcome fears.

Agoraphobia -Agoraphobia means the fear of being alone or a situation where the person is facing some problem and is difficult for him to escape. It usually starts between the age of 15 and 35 and affects three times as many women as men. After an initial panic attack, he becomes scared of experiencing the next attack as to when and where it will occur. His fear generalizes and he starts avoiding public places. In severe cases, the person is no longer ready to leave his home for fear of experiencing another attack.

Social phobia -When a person is more self conscious, while interacting with someone it is called social phobia. Such people have deep fears of being watched by someone or being embarrassed in public. People with social phobia are not shy people and they are comfortable with people except in certain situations.

Animal phobias – This fear is caused by animal or insect like snakes, spiders, rodents and dogs.

Natural environment phobias – These fears are caused by objects found in nature like fear of height, storm, water and darkness.

Situational phobias – These fears are triggered by certain situations like fear of enclosed space, fear of dentist, fear of driving, fear of tunnels, fear of elevators, fear of flying and fear of bridges.

Blood-injection injury phobia – This involves fear of injury, blood, injections or other medical procedure.

Symptoms of phobias

Feeling dizzy

Sweating

Chest pain

Stomach distress

Accelerated heart rate

Shortness of breath

No control on self

Fear of fainting

Fear of dying

Fear of being detach from self

Hot or cold flashes

If the persons fear is not interfering with his or her daily life then its nothing to be concerned about, but if it is interfering with his normal life, social activities or sleep pattern, then you should immediately seek professional help from a qualified therapist. This kind of fear is nothing but a condition of mind and can be overcome by proper treatment.

People with a genetic pre-disposition have more chance of being phobic. Such irrational behaviour can be replaced by rational behaviour by following some of the methods like (CBT) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, breathing exercises and coping strategies. This treatment is very effective and about 75% of people are able to overcome their phobias through this therapy.

The most commonly used exposure therapy gradually encounters you with the objects you are scared off, first in the imagination and then in reality.

Participant modelling is another type of exposure therapy where therapist help you to interact with the object you fear, like therapist driving a car in a relaxed state and without any fear, thereby encouraging you to do the same.

If you are scared of height, doctor will make you walk through an imaginative journey to plane trips, tall buildings etc so that you gradually let go your fear. This is called systematic desensitisation. If a person has fear of water, he should be pushed to swim, so that the fear of water can be annihilated.

Pushing that person gradually to do just the opposite of what he is scared can overcome his phobia

Along with professional treatment and therapy, one can also adopt self-help strategies to overcome phobias. By understanding your phobia you can overcome your anxiety and fear.

Learn relaxation technique such as deep breathing, meditation and muscle relaxation. If practised regularly, you will develop the ability to calm yourself quickly.