| Fear is a natural
response caused by real danger. For example, we are all scared
of coming face to face with a wild, hungry animal, and fear
is a survival instinct which warns us against certain things
or situations.
A phobia, on the other hand, is an irrational
fear of an object or situation that causes little or no danger.
For example, arithmophobia (fear of numbers) may cause certain
individuals anxiety, but the fear itself won’t cause
any danger.
Phobias are linked to our subconscious, and
because they are irrational, they can often be dealt with
effectively.
There will usually be strong avoidance behaviour
connected with the phobia, and feelings of anxiety, loss of
control and panic. Sufferers usually know their fear is irrational,
but they cannot control it.
Phobias are often categorised into specific
phobias and social phobia:
Specific Phobias:
Some common examples of specific phobias are
closed-in places, spiders or a fear of flying. It is a fear
of a particular thing rather than just extreme fear, and these
phobias usually begin early in the person's life and continue
into adulthood.
Social Phobia:
Social Phobia:
Social Phobia is extreme anxiety and discomfort
in social situations. Fear of being watched and judged by
others is overwhelming and although those suffering are aware
that they are acting irrationally, they are unable to control
and overcome their fears.
Social phobia can vary from fearing just one
situation to fearing all situations involving other people.
Social phobia also usually begins in childhood or adolescence.
Symptoms:
* Trembling
* Sweating
* Nausea
* Headaches
* Racing heart
* Blushing
* Palpitations
* Difficulty talking
Cause:
Phobias often begin early in an individual’s
life and may occur for a number of reasons. It seems phobias
can run in families; however whether this is hereditary or
simply learned behaviour is unclear.
For example a child may learn a phobia by
observing a family member’s reaction to an object or
situation. Traumatic experiences and brain chemicals are also
believed to influence the development of phobias.
Treatment
Hypnotherapy can help to identify the root
cause of the phobia and enable individuals to react to the
particular object or situation they once feared in a calmer
manner when encountering it in the future. Phobias are displaced
fears and because they are not rational, they can be dealt
with.
Hypnotherapy can also help with relaxation
and visualisation techniques for desensitisation and forming
new habits such as being more calm and relaxed.
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