What is a Phobia?

852 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of phobias on the individual

There are many, many different phobias in the world. Some ranging from claustrophobia, the fear of enclosed spaces, to agoraphobia, the fear of open spaces, however these little “fears” control these people’s lives. What we look at as just a normal day, they wake up worrying about ways to cope with this obsession. What causes phobias? What is a phobia? And how do we cure them?
What is a phobia? A phobia is classified as a lasting and unreasonable fear caused by the presence or thought of an object or situation that usually poses no danger. Exposure to this object or situation causes anxiety and immediate fear. The range of different phobias is infinite. Anyone at any stage in their life can develop a phobia, however most develop in adolescence and carry on into adulthood. Phobias in women are slightly more common than in men. It is estimated that about 5-12 percent of people suffer from phobias. These phobias are not just occasional nightmares or startling’s they are real to people who suffer from them. They can take over and control your life if not properly treated. A phobia is a disorder and does take proper treatment and/ or medication. They can cause severe anxiety and panic attacks. People who do not suffer from them do not understand the severity of this disease. Not only is it difficult to lead a normal life sometimes it’s like you’re living in your worst nightmare.
The top ten most common phobias include: arachnophobia, fear of spiders, ophidiophobia, fear of snakes, agoraphobia, fear of situations that are hard to escape from, cynophobia, fear of dogs, astraphobia, fear of thunder and lightning, trypanophobia, fear of injections, social phobias, fear of social situations, pteromerhan...

... middle of paper ...

... also be paired with modeling in which the patient watches others in the presence of the phobic stimulus who is responding without high anxiety levels. This then causes the patient to want to react the same way. This approach has been known to show results in just one therapeutic session.
It is normal for everyone to experience fear, but when does that cross the line into a phobia? Fear is a protective service. It lets you know when you’re in a bad situation or need help. However, there is a big difference between a fear and a phobia. Anxiety is just the beginning; soon these tiny fears can become a really big problem. You start living your daily routine around them and before you know it you’re changing your whole life to avoid them. The good news is, there are many different cures for phobias and they are usually always effective.

Show More
Related

  • Agoraphobia and its Impact on a Person's Life

    1278 Words  | 3 Pages

    A phobic disorder is marked by a persistent and irrational fear of an object or situation that presents no realistic danger. Agoraphobia is an intense, irrational fear or anxiety occasioned by the prospect of having to enter certain outdoor locations or open spaces. For example, busy streets, busy stores, tunnels, bridges, public transportation and cars. Traditionally agoraphobia was solely classified as a phobic disorder. However, due to recent studies it is now also viewed as a panic disorder. Panic disorders are characterised by recurrent attacks of overwhelming anxiety that usually occur suddenly and unexpectedly (Weiten, 1998).

    Read More

  • Is hypnosis and effective method to Improve Health?

    1871 Words  | 4 Pages

    Conquering phobias is a specialty of hypnotherapists. A phobia is a compulsive fear of a specified situation or object (Knight 2). A few types of phobias are fear of open spaces, fear of snow, fear of the cold, fear of marriage, fear of insanity, fear of being alone, fear of darkness, fear of disease, fear of beards, fear of birds, fear of being stared at, fear of bein...

    Read More

  • Fear Prompts Teens To Act Impulsively Analysis

    552 Words  | 2 Pages

    Have you ever had something ever get to you or make you you scared? That is called fear and tons an tons of people have different fears. Fear is an emotion that makes you feel afraid or something is frighten. Some fears many include spiders, clowns and even death. ‘’Fear Prompts Teens To Act Impulsively’’ by Laura Sanders, ‘’Stress for Success’’ by Alison Pearce, and ‘’And Uncomfortable Bed’’ By Guy Maupassant all explain the idea of fear.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Crucible Fear And Fear

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    A fear that I have is a fear of death, death is always around and it can happen at anytime. In Salem everyone fear death because people are being accused of doing witchcraft or being a

    Read More

  • Tetraphobia Essay

    1408 Words  | 3 Pages

    There’s a monster under your bed, and there are ghosts in the attic. The Bogey man is in your closet and ravens await your death so they can pick from your rotting flesh. Flowers are ready to strangle you, as pickles prepare to choke you in the night. It’s almost funny to hear of people who actually fear flowers and pickles. But these people have real legit fears of even the nicest of things. Although these fears are horrible, and should not be feared; I think the more we know about them, the more we can be prepared. There must be a deeper meaning of these weird phobias. Is it nature? Or inherited traits of the human body? Maybe they come from past experiences? Even as these fears are quite interesting, but unwanted, I want to know why people acquire these ridiculous fears and how we could stop them.

    Read More

  • Social Phobia Essay

    603 Words  | 2 Pages

    Almost everyone alive has a fear of something whether it be heights, spiders or even clowns. Some people however have more serious issues with their fears, fears that follow them almost everywhere they go, these fears are called phobias. It is estimated that 4 to 5 percent of Americans have some type of phobia, which is an irrational fear of situations and certain objects. There are over 500 known phobias; a very common phobia is social phobia.

    Read More

  • Phobias Essay

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    Phobias have been in existence for many years. As humans we fear things that are life threatening and unnatural. Someone who has an irrational fear of something is considered a phobia, which is an extreme illogical fear or dislike of something. Fear is a very common emotion which distinguishes from phobia regarding the severe distress someone with a phobia goes through. Fear is a rationalized and instinctive emotion that comes in response to a threatening situation. The reaction caused by fear can be managed. Phobias can hinder someone’s life. People who struggle with phobias constantly avoid the object of fear, and will do anything required not to see it. It’s hard to directly to clearly figure out the cause regarding

    Read More

  • Social Phobia or Anxiety Disorder

    952 Words  | 2 Pages

    Having anxiety is common and a part of everyday life however; there is a huge difference between a fear and a social phobia or anxiety disorder. The difference and important distinction psychoanalysts make between a fear and a phobia is “a true phobia must be inconsistent with the conscious learning experience of the individual” (Karon 1). Patients with true phobias “do not respond to cognitive therapy but do respond well to psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy” (Karon 2). Social phobia is a serious anxiety disorder that should not be taken lightly or mistaken as a fear you will simply grow out of the older you get. Social phobia has the power to destroy lives and can prevent people from living and enjoying their life to the fullest. Social phobia is a disabling condition that often starts between the ages of early childhood and late adolescence. The origins of social phobia can be linked to “traumatic social experiences and social isolation” (Hudson118-120). Social phobia is treatable however; research and statics show that not many seek help.

    Read More

  • Anxiety Disorders

    900 Words  | 2 Pages

    Phobias are considered a part of anxiety disorders, a phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a certain thing or situation. Some examples of phobias include fear of heights, insects, and even talking in front of a large crowd. The intensity of phobias differ from patient to patient but the severity of phobia...

    Read More

  • Phobias

    2220 Words  | 5 Pages

    In conclusion, phobias are a big part of many people’s lives these days and a growing medical condition. People do not realize how badly phobias can affect their lives so they don’t receive medical attention. There are no cures for phobias but there are treatments which will help the phobic get over their fear. I personally believe that if people care enough about their lives, they will treat their phobias. Phobias can totally alter your life so if you have any of the symptoms I have listed above, please go and get treatment.

    Read More

  • Summary Of The Movie 'What About Bob'

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this treatment, “clients are repeatedly exposed to objects or situations that produce anxiety, obsessive fears, and compulsive behaviors, but they are told to resist performing the behaviors they feel so bound to preform” (Comer, 2015). Individuals going through this treatment will often find it extremely difficult to resist the urge to preform these compulsions, or behaviors, therefor the therapist will often be the first to set this example. This treatment can be conducted in an individual, or group

    Read More

  • What Are Social Phobias?

    2194 Words  | 5 Pages

    One of the characteristics of a phobia is a feeling that is greater than the fear of a situation or object with an exaggeration of the danger associated with the said situation or even object. This persistent fear often leads to an anxiety disorder that leads an individual to develop mechanisms that ensure one avoids the object or situation that triggers the occurrence of the phobia. Phobias can have highly debilitating effects on an individual including the development of depression, isolation, substance abuse, and even suicide. Many people take phobia for granted however, it is clear that it has the potential to impair the quality of life for both the affected and the people around them. The fact that many of the phobias are manageable using

    Read More

  • Informative Speech On Phobias

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    Introduce Topic: A phobia as defined by medicalnewstoday.com, “is an irrational fear, a kind of anxiety disorder in which the sufferer has a relentless dread of a situation, living creature, place or thing.”

    Read More

  • Thesis Of The Concept Of Fears: The Conception Of Phobias

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... is fundamentally a whole; however, many of us have lost touch with significant elements of our selves. Through listening to the information of our dreams and active imagination, we can contact and reintegrate our different parts. The goal of life is individuation, the idea of coming to know, giving expression to, and reconciling the diverse elements of the psyche.

    Read More

  • Reflection About Fear

    1320 Words  | 3 Pages

    In class, my teacher made me get in a group and put together a survey. On the survey we could ask any questions we wanted to, as long as it pertained to fear. Within the 2 days of passing around the survey and getting people to do the survey we ended up received many results. One specific question that shocked me when I saw the answers was“What was your fear, and why?”. Many people answered this question by saying spiders, snakes, drowning, flying, etc….. When I was reading these,I was expecting a different results more a deeper fear that has affected the way you look at that specific thing in life.

    Read More

More about What is a Phobia?

Open Document