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What is a phobia?A phobia is a fear, which is caused by a specific object or situation. The fear can be caused by the actual presence of or by the anticipation of the presence of that object or situation. Anxiety, triggered by the fear, can approach the intensity of panic. What characteristics are associated with phobias?Phobias cause characteristics of anxiety. To avoid anxiety, people with phobias try to avoid any situation they know would cause them to feel anxious and/or which might lead to a panic attack. Are there genetic factors associated with phobias?Yes, there are genetic factors associated with phobias. Many people who have phobias have relatives with similar phobias or symptoms such as fears and/or a tendency to avoid certain situations. Do phobias affect males, females, or both?In the United Kingdom far more women than men suffer from phobias. At what age do phobias appear?Phobias frequently begin in childhood. A toddler who throws tantrums by crying and clinging to his/her parents may have a phobia. Personal trauma and stress can sometimes trigger a phobia. For instance, a person who was once trapped in a small room might later become frightened of closed spaces. How common are phobias in our society?More than ten percent (10%) of the population in the United Kingdom has some form of phobia. It is the most common mental disorder in the United Kingdom. How are phobias diagnosed?Phobias are usually diagnosed when people find that their schoolwork, job, or personal relationships are in trouble because of their heightened fears, and they seek professional help. However, phobias are often not diagnosed because people simply learn to avoid situations that cause them anxiety. How are phobias treated?The treatment of phobias usually has a behaviour therapy focus. In the safety of the therapeutic situation, people with phobias are gradually introduced into the very situation that normally causes them anxiety. They learn that they can control their anxiety while gaining greater and greater exposure to their phobic situation. Cognitive or behaviour therapy can be very effective when used in conjunction with relaxation training. What happens to someone with a phobia?The course of a phobia may be quite varied. Some people have mild phobias which can be easily treated and which last only a short time. Others have severe anxieties, and they suffer from their phobias for many years. Chronic phobias can cause major disruptions in school, at work, and/or with personal relationships. What can people do if they need help?If you, a friend, or a family member would like more information
and you have a therapist or a physician, please discuss your
concerns with that person or contact us to see how we may be able to
use NLP to help you overcome your phobias. |
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