Is your fear a phobia?
If you fear the snarling dog tied to the parking meter that already gnawed half-way through its leash, it’s probably a justified fear. If you’re scared of an adorable, fluffy puppy on a leash, happily walking with its owner, you probably have a phobia.
Some phobias are minor and relatively harmless. But other phobias are devastating. A powerful phobia can cause overwhelming anxiety and make it impossible for you to live a stress-free, enjoyable, fulfilling life.
But this doesn’t have to be the case.
What Exactly Is a Phobia? Do You Have One?
The American Psychological Association defines a phobia as “a persistent and irrational fear of a specific situation, object, or activity (e.g., heights, dogs, blood, driving, flying) which is consequently either strenuously avoided or endured with marked distress.”
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a phobia or a fear. For example, are you afraid to use a specific elevator because they have fined the building management several times for operation of an unsafe elevator? Or are you afraid to use any elevator because you’re afraid it will stop midway between floors, and it will trap you? In the first case, the fear is based on a disturbing and accurate bit of knowledge. It’s clearly justified. In the second case, the fear has no realistic basis because millions of people safely use elevators every day and there is no logical reason to think your specific elevator will malfunction. It’s not a fear; it’s a phobia.
How Does a Phobia Develop?
Phobias can develop in different ways.
Did you ever have a terrible experience, or suffer a panic attack from being in a specific situation or near a particular object?
- For example, when you were a kid, did your friend’s new puppy suddenly nip your finger and draw blood?
- As an adult, did you unexpectedly suffer a panic attack while driving over the bridge you commute over every day?
Either of these situations could cause a phobia to develop. In the first example, the child could develop a lifelong fear of dogs. In the second situation, the adult could develop a fear of driving over bridges.
It’s impossible to predict the exact form a phobia will take. The amount a phobia will generalize (spread to other objects or situations) is unknown, as well. Nor can anyone predict the fact that a phobia will even develop from a trauma. But incidents or traumas you experience sometimes have a lasting effect on how you respond to certain objects or situations in the future.
Genetics and Family Life Can Affect Phobia Development
Studies have shown that genetics or early exposure to phobic behavior (learned responses) can cause phobias.
In fact, they have reported that if a member of your family has a phobia, you are at increased risk of developing that same phobia. Studies have also shown that if a first-degree relative suffers from agoraphobia (fear of “the marketplace”), you have a greater chance of developing a panic disorder.
A Phobia Can Start with a Panic Attack
Single powerful reactions to stressful situations, or long-term stress, can contribute to the development of a phobia.
In an earlier blog post, I talk about my phobia of the Delaware Water Gap, and how it developed in an instant.
Studies find that having a panic attack in a certain situation, or near a specific object, can cause a phobia to develop.
What exactly is a panic attack? Simply put, it’s when your body has a “fight or flight” reaction to a perceived danger—when there is no genuine danger at all.
What Is the Fight or Flight Response?
If you suddenly see a bear walking toward you while you hike in the park, your “fight or flight” reaction will begin as your body prepares to survive. Your body will experience an automatic physiological reaction to the dangerous event. It releases stress hormones. Your automatic sympathetic nervous system prepares you for battle as your heart beats faster, you sweat more, and your blood pressure rises as breathing quickens.
The Anxiety Attack
When you have an anxiety attack, your sympathetic nervous system responds as though you are preparing for “fight or flight.”
You experience:
- increased sweating
- shortness of breath
- hot flashes
- trembling
- rapid heart rate
- tightness in the chest
- chest pain
- or other disturbing sensations
But the difference is, there’s no perceivable reason your body is responding this way. The physiological response makes you feel you are in imminent danger, but you can’t figure out why. “Why is this happening to me?” you might ask yourself. The anxiety itself creates tremendous fear.
If you have an anxiety attack in a specific situation, or near a specific object, a phobia can develop toward that situation or object. The phobia will last well beyond the single anxiety attack.
At What Age Does a Phobia Start?
While phobias can start in childhood, they are most likely to come out during adolescence or when a person is a young adult. The puzzling thing about a phobia is that it can have a sudden onset. One day, a person may love driving, and the very next day, it scares them to drive a car.
Are Phobias Limited to Certain Things?
In short, no.
Phobias can attach to any object, such as spiders or bridges. They can also attach to certain situations, such as going outside, getting injections, attending social gatherings, or flying in an airplane.
One interesting thing about a phobia, is that even if a person knows their fear is irrational, the phobia still controls them. In fact, people can become extremely anxious by just thinking about their phobia. A person with a fear of needles can become very agitated just seeing a picture of one on TV.
The good news about phobias is that there are effective treatments available.
When To Seek Help for a Phobia
Consult a therapist if you are suffering from a phobia that is controlling your life. For example, if your phobia affects your ability to succeed at work, or visit friends and family, it’s important that you seek treatment.
If you have a phobia about dogs, so you always keep your distance from them, it’s not important that you get professional help. However, if your fear of dogs is putting a wedge between you and your soon-to-be spouse, who loves their dog of five years, treatment will be helpful.
Phobia Treatments
Therapists treat different phobias in different ways. Your therapist will determine which treatment will work best in your situation. Seek a therapist who specializes in treating phobias and who is knowledgeable about the different treatment options. Do your research beforehand.
CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, has proven to be very effective in the treatment of phobias. It’s often used with Exposure Treatment. This treatment gradually exposes patients to the source of their fear; eventually the fear will dissipate and then totally disappear. Stress reduction exercises involving learning relaxation and breathing techniques are also helpful in reducing anxiety and related phobias.
In the early treatment of phobias, certain prescription medicines may be helpful with limited use. They will allow you to remain calm enough to benefit from the other therapies.
How Did the Phobia Start? Who Cares!
When treating a phobia, it’s not as important to learn the origin of the phobia, as it is to change your reaction to the object of the phobia. Learning these techniques through CBT and Exposure Therapy will improve your quality of life. Of course, some people may want to delve into the origin of the phobia; your therapist can work with you in that regard.
Did you struggle with a phobia? What treatment helped?