sam
12-24-2008, 09:10 PM
Don’t all of us have some area in life that we would much rather stay away from. For some it could be
closed rooms and confined spaces, for others – heights, insects, animals, swimming and so on. Whatever be
the area, we don’t feel capable and secure. Infact we feel quite insecure and afraid. Sometimes, even the
thought generates fear. Some of us respond to this fear by systematically facing and reducing it. But many
of us would prefer to leave it well alone. Sometimes, a fear left alone, may turn into a Phobia – an intense
and debilating fear of some object or situation that actually presents no real threat. This debilating fear
results in complete avoidance of the phobic situation and panic when forced to be a part of it.
Most children fear water before they learn how to swim, many adults have stage fright when the stage is
relatively new and some of us may fear dogs till a pup is brought home. But a child with a phobia for dogs
will not allow a pup or even a picture of a dog to be brought near her, so extreme is her fear.
Many people may prefer to avoid steep stairwell and prefer not to touch a snake, however harmless. The
difference between this and a phobia is one of severity. While one person feels apprehension at the site of a
dog, a dog – phobia person will show intense anxiety with signs such as increased heart rate, sweating,
recklessness, restlessness.
Many phobias being in childhood and are as common as 5-10 per 100 people. And yes, as you suspect it the
ratio of women : men is 2:1. Among the more commonly seen type are acrophobia – fearof heights,
claustrophobia – fear of enclosed places such as elevators, crowded metros and corridors etc, animal phobia
– fear of dogs, snakes, mice, insects etc. Animal phobias are the most common. Common social phobia or
fear of performing certain actions when under the scrutiny of others are – public speaking, eating in public etc.
This key will help you to identify whether your fear is just that – fear, or is it a phobia.
- Excessive or unreasonable fear caused by the presence or anticipation
of a certain object or situation.
- An anxiety response when exposed to the fear. Adults may have
Increased heart rate, breathelessness etc., and children may scream,
Cry or cling to adults.
- The feared situation is almost always avoided.
- The person is aware that the fear is irrational and excessive.
- Fear and its avoidence hamper normal routine.
- Fear persists over a period of time – 6 months or more.
Does this key aptly describe your fear or that of someone near and dear to you ? Phobia’s can be treated, but
it does need some time and patience. Meet a Psychologist who will help you to identify your fear, teach you
to reduce your anxiety and work on reducing and finally doing away with your phobia.
closed rooms and confined spaces, for others – heights, insects, animals, swimming and so on. Whatever be
the area, we don’t feel capable and secure. Infact we feel quite insecure and afraid. Sometimes, even the
thought generates fear. Some of us respond to this fear by systematically facing and reducing it. But many
of us would prefer to leave it well alone. Sometimes, a fear left alone, may turn into a Phobia – an intense
and debilating fear of some object or situation that actually presents no real threat. This debilating fear
results in complete avoidance of the phobic situation and panic when forced to be a part of it.
Most children fear water before they learn how to swim, many adults have stage fright when the stage is
relatively new and some of us may fear dogs till a pup is brought home. But a child with a phobia for dogs
will not allow a pup or even a picture of a dog to be brought near her, so extreme is her fear.
Many people may prefer to avoid steep stairwell and prefer not to touch a snake, however harmless. The
difference between this and a phobia is one of severity. While one person feels apprehension at the site of a
dog, a dog – phobia person will show intense anxiety with signs such as increased heart rate, sweating,
recklessness, restlessness.
Many phobias being in childhood and are as common as 5-10 per 100 people. And yes, as you suspect it the
ratio of women : men is 2:1. Among the more commonly seen type are acrophobia – fearof heights,
claustrophobia – fear of enclosed places such as elevators, crowded metros and corridors etc, animal phobia
– fear of dogs, snakes, mice, insects etc. Animal phobias are the most common. Common social phobia or
fear of performing certain actions when under the scrutiny of others are – public speaking, eating in public etc.
This key will help you to identify whether your fear is just that – fear, or is it a phobia.
- Excessive or unreasonable fear caused by the presence or anticipation
of a certain object or situation.
- An anxiety response when exposed to the fear. Adults may have
Increased heart rate, breathelessness etc., and children may scream,
Cry or cling to adults.
- The feared situation is almost always avoided.
- The person is aware that the fear is irrational and excessive.
- Fear and its avoidence hamper normal routine.
- Fear persists over a period of time – 6 months or more.
Does this key aptly describe your fear or that of someone near and dear to you ? Phobia’s can be treated, but
it does need some time and patience. Meet a Psychologist who will help you to identify your fear, teach you
to reduce your anxiety and work on reducing and finally doing away with your phobia.