Phobias
Encountering certain obstacles or situations may leave one frightened, such as being afraid of the dark, high heights, or animals. Most of us are able to remain calm, rationalize the situation, and find a way around it, but this doesn’t work for everyone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 10 million adults live with some kind of phobia.
What is a phobia?
Phobias, according to the American Psychological Association, are intense fears that result in distress and can be intrusive. Individuals with this anxiety disorder have an irrational fear of things that don’t pose any real threat.
Here are a few examples of common phobias:
- Arachnophobia: fear of spiders
- Acrophobia: fear of heights
- Agoraphobia: fear of being in a situation you can’t escape from
The American Psychiatric Association simplified the symptoms into two points:
- An out-of-proportion reaction, as well as the age playing a role in being inappropriate
- The individual’s capability to behave normally is compromised
Treatment Options
Unlike anxiety disorders, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, there isn’t extensive research that has been completed on phobias, but that hasn’t stopped mental health professionals from finding ways to help patients.
- Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy): Patients receive CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), where they can learn how to think, react, and behave toward what they fear. It is meant to reduce the feeling of overwhelming anxiety.
- Medications: While not a cure, they can help patients deal with symptoms.
- Stress-management techniques: Practices such as meditation, yoga, or other holistic approaches can also be helpful.
While one of these methods may work for some, professionals may provide their patients with a combination of treatments and remedies. Unfortunately, the cause of anxiety disorders is unknown. It may be due to genetics, the environment, or even developmental factors. But until then, people dealing with phobias should seek help.