Phobias: What you should know

A phobia is a form of anxiety disorder which is due to a persistent or excessive fear of an object or situation. It is characterized by the rapid onset of fear in proportion to reality. A phobia takes about 6 months’ time to develop. The most effective treatment for phobias is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Many times, antidepressant medication used alongside CBT can also be helpful.

Symptoms

When a person encounters frightening experiences or situations they may become anxious or distressed. In addition, a person can experience one or more unpleasant physical symptoms such as:

• Palpitations and an accelerated heart rate
• Chest pain or a smothering sensation
• Sweating
• Choking
• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

The physical symptoms are caused by the central nervous system which prepares the body for a fight or flight reaction. Stress hormones – cortisone and adrenaline (epinephrine) – are released into the bloodstream during a stressful situation. Their effect of readying the heart, muscles and other parts of the body to fight or flee also unfortunately causes these physical symptoms.
With a phobia, all of these symptoms are exaggerated. One may even become anxious just by the thought of the feared situation. The daily routine is hampered if one takes measures to avoid feared situations which are considered normal for other people.

Types of phobia

Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is one of the most common phobias.

Agoraphobia or fear of public places and open spaces is also very common.

Other common phobias include:

• Aerophobia – The fear of flying in airplanes
• Arachnophobia – The fear of spiders
• Acrophobia – The fear of heights
• Claustrophobia – The fear of small spaces
• Thanatophobia – The fear of one’s own death or the process of dying, also known as ‘deathanxiety’

Treatment of Phobias

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

This therapy approaches the problem by trying to talk it out with the person and find patterns of behavior or thinking then break those patterns. CBT usually works well to treat most phobias but does not suit everyone, as it needs internal motivation from the person. CBT is not preferred for the elderly or those with lower educational achievements. Phobias are gradually weaned away and the person feels less threatened by the situation or objects that previously caused anxiety.

Antidepressant medicines

Antidepressant medication is a commonly used treatment option as it is usually very effective in reducing the symptoms of phobias. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are typically the most popular medicines used for anxiety or phobic disorders.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are often used as mild tranquilizers, but they are known to have serious side-effects.

Is it possible to prevent phobias?

Phobia prevention may be achievable through educating people and young children about the baselessness of their fears. The situations that cause phobia can be understood and any stigmas associated with phobias may be removed with help of counselling.

Download the CheckUp Health app now and book a video or audio call to discuss any concerns you may have around phobias with a private GP, daytime or evening, 7 days/week.