Phobias

What Is A Phobia?

Everyone may have some fears, such as disliking heights or insects. However, clinical phobias differ from normal, everyday fears in intensity and duration, as well as having a greater impact on functioning. While fears can cause discomfort, they typically do not affect our ability to perform tasks or regular daily activities. On the other hand, phobias cause feelings of extreme anxiety and fear, and can significantly disrupt daily functioning, negatively affecting work and social relationships.

How Are Phobias A Problem?

Phobias can affect a person’s daily life and functioning due to anxiety and avoidance behaviour that may result from their fears. For example, a person with agoraphobia (i.e., the fear of being in situations that are perceived as being difficult to escape from) may avoid going to any crowded spaces or using public transportation. This could affect their ability to function by interfering with their ability to attend social events or to use public transportation if necessary for travelling to work and other places. Therefore, the avoidance of certain objects and situations caused by phobias can significantly impact one’s quality of life.

Types of Phobias:

  • Fear of specific objects or situations, such as fear of heights (acrophobia), flying (aviophobia), or spiders (arachnophobia)

  • Fear of being judged, humiliated, or scrutinized in social situations

  • Fear of situations where escape or finding help may be difficult

How Do We Treat Phobias?

Phobias are most commonly treated through Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly a form of it known as exposure therapy. Exposure therapy can help individuals confront their fears in a safe environment and gradually habituate them into reducing their fearful responses by showing them that the actual danger presented by their fears is not proportional to their beliefs.