top of page

Demystifying Phobias: Shedding Light on Fear-based Disorders

Jun 6, 2023
3 min read

Many of us have things that make us briefly anxious or fearful. But for someone with a phobia, specific objects or situations create an intense and persistent fear that is out of proportion with the actual danger the object or situation poses.


To control fear caused by an object or situation, most people with phobias will take active steps to avoid the feared object or situation. However, depending on the type of object or situation, attempts to control fear may have a significant impact on a person’s daily life.


If you have a specific phobia that is interfering with your daily life, it might be time to seek help.



‍Types of phobias

Specific phobias develop around a specific object or situation. They often develop in childhood or adolescence.


Specific phobias are generally grouped into broad categories:


  • Animal phobias – for example, dogs, spiders, snakes or rodents.

  • Natural environment phobias – for example, water, heights, large spaces, darkness, storms or germs.

  • Situational phobias – for example, flying, being in small enclosed spaces or going to the dentist.

  • Body-based phobias – for example, blood, vomit, injections, choking, medical procedures or childbirth.

  • Other phobias – everything else, for example, certain foods, loud sounds or costumed characters.



‍Symptoms of phobias

People with a specific phobia will experience intense fear or anxiety when faced with the object or situation they are afraid of. This fear can become all-consuming and negatively affect how someone lives their day-to-day life.


Common symptoms of phobias include:


Physical

  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint

  • Feeling like you are choking

  • Racing heart

  • Chest pain or tightness

  • Sweating

  • Hot or cold flushes

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

  • Dry mouth

  • Numbness or tingling sensations

  • Trembling or shaking


Psychological

  • Irrational or excessive worry about encountering the feared object or situation.

  • Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or fear upon encountering the feared object or situation.


Behavioural

  • Doing everything possible to avoid the feared object or situation.

  • Enduring unavoidable objects or situations with great distress.



Risk factors for phobias

There appears to be no clear reason for why phobias start. However, there are various risk factors that might contribute to developing a phobia. Examples include:


  • Past incidents or traumas – for example, if you had a frightening experience involving a dog, such as being chased or bitten, you might develop a phobia of dogs.


  • Learned responses from childhood – for example, if a child grows up with a parent or older sibling who experiences an intense reaction to something they fear, the child might grow up with a related fear.


  • Reactions and responses to panic or fear – you may find yourself feeling embarrassed by your intense reaction to a specific situation or object, particularly if people around you react strongly to your response. As a result, you could develop even more anxiety about the idea of this happening again.


  • Experiencing long-term stress – stress can reduce your ability to cope in particular situations, which might make you feel more anxious or fearful about being in those situations again. Over a long period, this could develop into a phobia.



Treatment


The main types of treatment for phobias are:


  • Psychotherapy (“talk” therapy)

  • Medication

  • Self-care strategies




Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most evidence-based therapy treatment. CBT for a specific phobia teaches:


  • Skills to help identify and understand thoughts and behaviours that maintain the anxiety.

  • Helpful ways of thinking and behaving that ultimately reduce anxiety.


Medications

Antidepressants are most commonly prescribed for treating anxiety. Other medications include:


  • Anti-anxiety drugs - for relieving anxiety and acute stress reactions.

  • Beta-blockers – for treating physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a rapid heartbeat or trembling.


Self-care strategies

Tips for helping you manage your phobia include:


  • Talk to someone you trust about your phobia.

  • Learn relaxation techniques – these range from breathing control to meditation and stretching.

  • Join a local peer support group.

  • Try online support groups.

  • Use self-help resources, such as books and online programmes.



Takeaway

Many of us have things that make us briefly anxious or fearful. But for someone with a phobia, attempts to control fear may have a significant impact on their daily life.


If you are seeking help from a mental health professional to help you deal with a specific phobia, then online therapy can make a significant difference.


Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment option for specific phobias, and research shows that online CBT is just as effective as in-person therapy.


Online therapy comes with the following benefits:


  • Flexible - You can schedule therapy sessions for times that are most convenient for you.

  • Convenient - You can access therapy from anywhere, from the comfort or your home or wherever you feel most comfortable.

  • Time-saving - You don’t have to travel or spend months on a waiting list for a suitable therapist in your area.

If you’ve been struggling with a specific phobia, help is available for achieving better mental well-being.

bottom of page