Common Types
Specific phobias are categorised into five main types, each with its distinct focus of fear.
- Animal Phobias: Fear of animals or insects. Examples include fear of dogs, snakes, or spiders.
- Natural Environment Phobias: Fear triggered by objects in the natural environment, such as heights, storms, water.
- Blood-Injection-Injury Phobias: Fear of blood, injury, or medical procedures such as injections.
- Situational Phobias: Fear of specific situations, such as flying, driving, tunnels, enclosed spaces.
- Other Phobias: Fear of other stimuli, including fear of choking, vomiting, or contracting an illness.
Symptoms
People with specific phobias often experience immediate fear upon exposure to the specific object or situation. Symptoms can be both physical and psychological, and can include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Trembling
- Upset stomach or nausea
- Extreme desire to escape the situation
- Anticipatory anxiety
Causess
Specific phobias often develop in childhood and can persist into adulthood. The exact cause is unknown, but it's likely a combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and traumatic events.
Diagnosis
A healthcare provider or mental health professional can diagnose specific phobias through a clinical interview and diagnostic guidelines. The fear must be intense and last six months or longer and cause significant distress or problems functioning in everyday life.
Treatment
Specific phobias are highly treatable, and people who have them are almost invariably helped by interventions.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is often the treatment of choice for specific phobias. In therapy, you will learn to understand your phobia and learn techniques to manage your fear.
Exposure Therapy
This is a form of CBT where you are gradually exposed to the feared situation until the situation loses its ability to provoke fear.
Medications
While medication is rarely needed, it's sometimes used on a short-term basis to help with the overwhelming anxiety associated with specific phobias.
Living with Specific Phobias
While living with a specific phobia can be challenging, it's important to remember that help is available, and with the right treatment, you can learn to manage your fears.