Specific Phobias

Are you afraid to fly? Do you panic at the sight of a spider? Are you scared of elevators? If so, you may have a phobia. 

Specific Phobia can be defined as an overwhelming, intense, and persistent fear of an object or situation that is out of proportion to the actual risk that object or situation poses. In situations where they are met with their phobia individuals can experience fear physically (e.g. increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, increased blood pressure, nausea, dizziness) and some may experience panic attacks. Most of all, they have an overpowering urge to escape from the object or situation. Additionally, individuals with phobias will often do anything to avoid situations that bring up the terrifying feelings that can occur when confronted with their phobia. This avoidance can lead to negative consequences in both work and social functioning. Individuals can often suffer from multiple phobias. While some phobias can develop in childhood or from a traumatic event, most seem to arise unexpectedly during adolescence or early adulthood. 

Phobias can be divided into five categories: 

• Animal (e.g. fear of spiders, snakes, dogs, or insects) 
• Natural environment (e.g. fear of heights, fear of lightning or thunderstorms) 
• Blood-injection injury (e.g. fear of medical procedures including injections, fear of needles, fear of blood)
• Situational (e.g. fear of confined spaces, fear of the dark) 
• Other (e.g. fear of vomiting, fear or choking, fear of illness, or clowns) 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found to be an effective treatment for most anxiety disorders, including specific phobias. CBT can help individuals address dysfunctional beliefs and their influence on behaviours. Additionally, exposure therapy is often used to treat specific phobias as it can help to decrease fear by gradually exposing the individual to the object or situation. Relaxation training, mindfulness, and stress management may also help individuals find alternative ways to cope with fear and discomfort.

If you have intense fear when confronted with a specific object or situation, you may have a specific phobia. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help.