Types Of Phobias: Signs, Symptoms And Their Treatments

Each and everyone is suffering from an irrational fear or two as it is very common amongst us. For some of us, these fears are minor but when fears become severe, they cause tremendous anxiety which is called phobias.

What Is A Phobia?

It is an intense fear of something like driving, height, water, insects and many more. Just thinking about the fear may make you anxious. Most of the phobias are either developed in childhood or later in life. If you or your friend is suffering from any phobia then consulting the best psychiatrist will help you a lot.

Some Common Fears In Children:-

0-2 years – Loud noises, strangers, separation from parents, huge objects, strange faces.
3-6 years – Imaginary things such as ghosts, the dark, sleeping alone, strange noises.
7-16 years – More realistic fears such as injury, illness, school performance, death, losing someone special.

These phobias are very common in children and if your child is suffering from it then don’t worry. Referring to the best psychiatrist can release your stress and will improve your child’s health.

Some Common Phobias:-

There are mainly 4 common types of phobias are:

• • Animal phobias such as the fear of snakes, spiders, rodents, cockroach, lizard and dogs.
  • Natural environment phobias such as fear of heights, storms, water, natural disasters and of the dark.
  • Situational phobias include the fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), flying, driving, tunnels, and bridges.
  • The blood-injection-injury phobia is the fear of blood, injury, illness, needles, or other medical procedures.

Some phobias which don’t fall into any common category include fear of choking, clowns or fear of diseases.

There are two more common phobias that don’t fit easily into any of the four categories are:

1- Social phobia: It also called social anxiety disorder is the fear of social situations where you may be embarrassed or judged.

Social phobia may make you excessively self-conscious and afraid of embarrassing yourself in front of others. Seeking the help of the best psychiatrist can release lots of your stress.

The most common social phobia is the fear of public speaking which develops anxiety. Fear of eating or drinking in public, talking to strangers, mingling at a party are some more examples of social phobias.

2- Agoraphobia: It is a fear of public places and open spaces and can cause a panic attack.

People become anxious as they are afraid of getting another panic attack. They avoid being in situations where escape would be difficult or embarrassing. For example, they are likely to avoid crowded places such as movie theaters and shopping malls.

Signs and symptoms of phobias

The symptoms of a phobia can vary from a feeling of anxiety to a full-blown panic attack. It is very important to get hold of it before it affects your body. If you think you have any symptom of phobia then consulting the best psychiatrist can clear all your doubt.

Physical symptoms

• • Difficulty breathing
  • Pounding heart
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Shaking
  • Feeling dizzy
  • Tingling sensations
  • Sweating

Emotional symptoms

• • Anxiety or panic attacks
  • Need to escape
  • Feeling “unreal” or detached from yourself
  • Feels like you’re going to pass out
  • Feeling powerless to control your fear

Treatments

Face Your Phobia

Facing your phobia and fighting against it is the best way to cure it. If you need any guidance or motivation then the best psychiatrist can help you a lot.

Some of the ways that will act as a life saver for you are:

• • Make a list

Make a list of the terrifying situations related to your phobia like you are afraid of flying then prepare a list accordingly.

It includes booking your flight ticket, watching planes take off and land, boarding the plane, and listening to the flight attendant present the safety instructions.

• • Create your fear ladder

Arrange the tasks on your list from the least scary to the scariest. The first step should make you slightly anxious, but not so afraid that you’re too scared to try it.

When you are creating the ladder, it can be helpful to think about your end goal. Then you can break down the steps needed to reach that goal. Seek help from the best psychiatrist to create the blueprint of the ladder.

• • Push Yourself To The Top

Start with the first step and don’t move ahead until you start to feel more comfortable doing it. If possible, stay in the situation as long as possible to decrease your anxiety.

The longer you will expose yourself to the thing you are afraid of, the more you will get used to it. It will help you decrease your anxiety and you will feel less anxious the next time while facing it.

• • Practice

More you practice, the quicker your progress will be. However, don’t rush and try to maintain the pace that you can manage without feeling overwhelmed.

You may feel uncomfortable and anxious when you are facing your fears. But remember, the feelings are only temporary and you have to stick with it until anxiety fades away.

Phobias can be overcome easily, you just have to be dedicated and work upon it. In case you are not able to fight it, consulting the best psychiatrist is always a great option.

At last, we would like to say that fight but don’t give up.