Phobia: 12 most common types, causes, symptoms, and treatment.

A phobia is characterized by extreme, even overwhelming fear and anxiety in response to particular circumstances or objects. Although common concerns can often be associated with phobias, phobias have more severe consequences. In the worst circumstances, phobia sufferers severely restrict their lives to keep from coming into contact with their fears.

Phobia: 12 most common types, causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Phobias: What are they?

An excessive and illogical fear response is known as a phobia. If you have a phobia, you could feel extremely anxious or panicked when you come across something that makes you fearful. An object, circumstance, or location may be the source of the fear. In contrast to generalized anxiety disorders, phobias are typically associated with a particular object.

A phobia can have anything from mildly bothersome to extremely incapacitating effects. Individuals who suffer from phobias frequently understand that their dread is unfounded, yet they are powerless to overcome it. These anxieties may hamper work, education, and interpersonal relationships.

An estimated 19 million Americans struggle with a phobia that interferes with their daily life in some way. If a phobia keeps you from living your life to the fullest, get treatment from your doctor.

What are the causes of phobia?

Phobias can be brought on by environmental or genetic reasons. Youngsters who have a close relative suffering from an anxiety disorder are more likely to experience a phobia. Phobias can develop as a result of upsetting experiences, such as almost drowning. Phobias can originate from bites from animals or insects, tight places, and heights.

Phobias are common among those who have chronic illnesses or other health issues. A significant number of persons who have experienced traumatic brain injuries go on to acquire phobias. Phobias are also associated with substance addiction and sadness.

The symptoms of phobias differ from those of severe mental diseases like schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia may experience disorganized symptoms, delusions, paranoia, anhedonia, and visual and auditory hallucinations. Despite their irrationality, fear sufferers do not perform poorly on reality tests.

What are the most common types of phobia?

Agoraphobia.

The fear of locations or circumstances that you are unable to escape is known as agoraphobia. In essence, the phrase means "fear of open spaces." Agoraphobia sufferers fear being confined outside their homes or in big crowds. They frequently stay inside their homes and completely avoid social interactions.

Many agoraphobics worry that in an environment where they are unable to flee, they might experience a panic episode. People with long-term health issues could fear that they'll experience a medical emergency in a public setting or somewhere without assistance.

Social phobia.

Another name for social phobia is social anxiety disorder. It is a severe social anxiety disorder that can cause self-isolation. Even the most basic social interactions, like placing an order at a restaurant or picking up the phone, can trigger terror in someone with a severe case of social phobia. Individuals who have social anxiety frequently make special efforts to stay out of the public eye.

Glossophobia.

Often referred to as performance anxiety or public speaking phobia. When contemplating being in front of a gathering of people, those who suffer from this phobia experience excruciating physical sensations. Treatments for glossophobia may involve counseling or medication.

Acrophobia.

The phobia of heights is known as acrophobia. This fear prevents its sufferers from going near mountains, bridges, or upper floors of buildings. Some symptoms are vertigo, lightheadedness, perspiration, and the feeling that one is going to faint or lose consciousness.

Claustrophobia.

This is a phobia of small, cramped areas. If severe claustrophobia keeps you from using elevators or autos, it can be very incapacitating.

Aviophobia.

This is sometimes referred to as aviation anxiety.

Dentophobia.

Fear of dentists or dental operations is known as dentophobia. This anxiety usually arises as a result of a bad dental office experience. If it keeps you from getting the dental treatment you need, it might be detrimental.

Hemophobia.

This is an injury or blood phobia. When their own or another else's blood comes into contact with them, a person suffering from hemophobia may pass out.

Arachnophobia.

This denotes a spider phobia.

Cynophobia.

This is a dog-related fear.

Ophidiophobia.

This phobia makes people afraid of snakes.

Nyctophobia.

This phobia is an anxiety related to darkness or evening. Almost typically, it starts out as a common worry from infancy. When it gets worse beyond puberty, it's diagnosed as a phobia.

 Note, learn more about depression. 

What are the risk factors of phobia?

A hereditary susceptibility to anxiety may put a person at a higher risk of acquiring a phobia. Only a few phobias appear to be at risk due to characteristics like age, gender, and socioeconomic status. For instance, animal phobias are more common in women. Individuals with low socioeconomic levels or children are more likely to suffer from social phobias. Most people with phobias of dentists and doctors are men.

What are the symptoms of phobia?

Panic attacks are the most prevalent and incapacitating symptom of a phobia. A panic attack's characteristics include:

• palpitations or a racing heart palpitations.
• Dysphagia.
• dry mouth.
• uneasy stomach.
• Nausea.
• high blood pressure.
• shaky or trembling.
• stiffness or pain in the chest.
• a feeling of choking.
• feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
• much perspiration and a feeling of imminent disaster.

However, a panic episode is not a prerequisite for a proper diagnosis of a phobia.

How does the diagnosis of the phobia?

You could see your primary care physician first. It's also possible that you should consult a psychologist or psychiatrist, among other mental health specialists. They can identify and cure particular phobias. To identify a particular phobia, a medical or mental health expert may:

• We can discuss potential risk factors with you.
• Inquire about your symptoms and record your social, medical, and mental health history.
• Discuss the things you're keeping quiet about out of fear.

Which treatment is best for phobias?

Exposure therapy is the most effective kind of therapy for treating particular phobias. Your medical provider may occasionally suggest additional treatments or medications. It is more crucial to cure the avoidance behavior that has gradually grown out of a phobia than it is to identify its underlying cause.

Enhancing your quality of life so that your fears no longer limit you is the aim of treatment. As you gain more control over your reactions, ideas, and emotions, your anxiety and fear will lessen and eventually take over your life. One particular phobia is usually handled at a time.

How to stop phobia?

Exposure therapy.

The goal of this therapy is to modify your reaction to the thing or circumstance that causes you dread. You may be able to learn to control your anxiety by gradually and repeatedly being exposed to the trigger of your particular phobia as well as the associated ideas, emotions, and sensations. 

For instance, if you're frightened of elevators, your treatment plan might start with just thinking about using one, then move on to seeing images of them, approaching one, and then using one. After that, you might ride one floor, then multiple floors, and finally board a packed elevator.

Cognitive behavioral intervention.

With CBT, one can learn alternative perspectives and coping mechanisms for the frightened object or scenario in addition to gradual exposure. You get the ability to confront your anxieties and tolerate painful emotions. Instead of letting your ideas and feelings control you, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches you how to use them to your advantage and build confidence.

Medication: For the most part, exposure therapy is effective in treating particular phobias. However, on occasion, medication can lessen the sensations of panic and anxiety brought on by thinking about or coming into contact with the thing or circumstance that makes you anxious.

Medications can be taken initially for the course of treatment or for brief periods in certain, infrequently encountered circumstances, like taking an MRI, giving a speech in public, or flying on an airline.

Among these medications are:

Beta-blockers. These medications prevent the stimulating effects of adrenaline, which include elevated blood pressure, a racing heart, trembling in the limbs and voice, and heightened heart rate, which are brought on by anxiety.
Sedatives. Benzodiazepines are medications that reduce anxiety, which promotes relaxation. Because they can become addictive, sedatives should only be used sparingly. If you have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse, you shouldn't use them.

Self-care advice for phobia.

• Speak with a trustworthy person.
• Gain control of your anxiety and terror.
• Look into support groups.
• Make use of self-help tools.

You might attempt a few strategies to deal with your phobia. They might lessen its effect on your life. These concepts might not be helpful to everyone, but they are to certain people.

Speak with a trustworthy person.

You may find that discussing your fear with a trusted person helps. It can be helpful in and of itself to have someone listen to you and show you care.

Try putting your thoughts on paper if you have trouble speaking. To help you organize your ideas more clearly, you can consider composing a letter.

Gain control of your anxiety and terror.

It can be very challenging to learn how to control the terror and anxiety brought on by your phobia. However, you may feel more in control of your trigger scenario or object if you take this action.

• Acquire skills in relaxation. There's no shortage of relaxation techniques to choose from. They include stretching, breathing exercises, and meditation. For additional information, see our sections on relaxation.
• Examine coping mechanisms for panic episodes. Try stamping on the spot while having a panic attack and concentrating on your breathing or senses. Visit our page on panic attacks for additional information on what causes them and coping techniques.

Look into support groups.

• Join a group for peer support. Peer support allows you to talk about your experiences with people who are going through similar things. Knowing that you're not alone might be reassuring. You might also be able to get suggestions for alternative coping mechanisms from other people. You can find out more information about appropriate local organizations from The Mind Infoline or No More Panic. For further details and a list of services that are offered, visit our section on peer support.
• Consider joining an online support group. Online assistance might be very helpful when you are unable to leave the house. or if you have trouble conversing with people over the phone or in person. Online groups that are watched over for your safety, such as Mind's Side by Side, can provide support. For additional information on how to use these resources safely, see our section regarding online mental health.

Make use of self-help tools.

Some people use internet programs or self-help books as coping mechanisms for their phobias. These frequently rest on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tenets. They will assist you in creating a personalized plan to lower anxiety and facilitate coping with the things that trigger your phobia.

• books and written materials. Your doctor may recommend a self-help book from the nonprofit Reading Well. Books on Prescription are the name of these resources. These can also be borrowed from your neighborhood library or purchased online. There are a ton of other reading resources available. For further information, try getting in touch with groups like Anxiety UK or No More Panic.
• Resources and programs available online. Another option is to look into online self-help programs. These might be paid for, or your doctor might be able to provide free access to them.

Finally, it is imperative that you get therapy if you suffer from a phobia. It can be challenging to overcome phobias, but it is possible. You can learn to control your worries and live a successful, happy life with the correct care.