Acme Mind Clinic: Phobias

Phobias

Phobias are a very common form of anxiety disorder, varying in severity among individuals. Most people who suffer from a phobia are only too well aware that it is irrational, but are powerless to override their initial panic reaction, while others can simply avoid the object of their fear and suffer only relatively mild anxiety.

However, many people who suffer from phobia experience full-fledged panic attacks with all the associated disabling symptoms.

Difference between Fears & Phobias

Let’s start with a brief explanation of the difference between a fear and a phobia.

Fear is a normal part of life, and we encounter many things which can be dangerous, painful or frightening, such as car crashes, muggers, savage dogs, having operations. This type of anxiety is very useful in that it warns us when danger threatens. Fear releases adrenaline and other chemicals into the blood, and these speed up the heart-rate, sharpen our senses and heighten our physical powers. This prepares us for what is known as ‘fight or flight’ – either to fight for our lives, or run for them.

Phobias, on the other hand, are very different. They are irrational in nature, being out of proportion to the object or situation whichelicits the fear. Fear could be described as ‘phobic’ when the object/situation is ‘illogically’ feared beyond it’s ability to harm, when we can’t rationalize or put it into perspective, when it involves avoidance of the fearful object/situation, when it cuts out choices, interferes with daily living and reduces the quality of life.

Causes of phobia

The initial cause of phobias can usually be traced back to an experience where a strong emotional response has become associated at an unconscious level with a particular trigger or stimulus, usually as the result of some emotionally charged event. When you are re-presented with the trigger, for example, seeing a spider, the associated response is triggered, most commonly resulting in extreme feelings of anxiety, fear and panic.

The most complete and effective way to eliminate or reduce the phobia is to break the unconscious association between the stimulus and the response.

Attempting to deal with a phobia at a conscious level is often ineffective. This is because phobias happen automatically below the level of conscious awareness. In fact many people are already aware of how illogical their phobic reaction is, but no matter how much they attempt to consciously control and rationalize it, they still experience them.

It is important to be sure about what you are actually suffering from, as many people assume they have a phobia, when in fact they have an anxiety or a panic disorder, which is more complex and needs to be treated differently to a phobia. It is common for people to have both a phobia and anxiety. During our Initial Consultation / Assessment Session I will assess your issues and determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

Hypnotherapy, Psychotherapy can be extremely effective at treating phobias and anxieties, because they deal directly with the unconscious mind. Phobias with a single specific trigger, for example fear of spiders, can often be dealt with very quickly in 1 to 4 sessions.