Each of us probably has some irrational fear or unjustifiable: some are afraid of needles, others are terrified by a mouse or a spider, others fail to look down from tall buildings ... For most people, these fears are of little importance, have little impact on daily life. For some, however, are so strong as to cause a very strong anxiety and interfere on normal daily activities.
When fears are not justified and cause difficulties in daily life, are defined phobias.
AI ntensa A phobia is fear of something which in reality is a little or no danger in the current situation of the subject .
Just think of what is often dreaded can cause anxiety, while actually being in front of the real situation due to fear, feelings of being overwhelmed, and attempts to escape or avoid it, even coming to change lifestyle. Those who suffer, for example, from claustrophobia might give up a lucrative job because of need to take the elevator, and he who fears the sight of needles could give medical examinations for years to control ...
Just think of what is often dreaded can cause anxiety, while actually being in front of the real situation due to fear, feelings of being overwhelmed, and attempts to escape or avoid it, even coming to change lifestyle. Those who suffer, for example, from claustrophobia might give up a lucrative job because of need to take the elevator, and he who fears the sight of needles could give medical examinations for years to control ...
Most phobias develop in childhood, but may also occur in adulthood.
common phobias
There are four common types of specific phobias:
- Pets: fear caused by animals or insects, such as fear of snakes, spiders , bees, dogs ...
- Natural environment: the fear caused by aspects of nature, such as fear of heights, storms, water or dark.
- Situational : Fears triggered by a specific situation, such as fear of closed spaces (claustrophobia), fear of elevators, fear of flying, fear of the dentist.
- Blood-injection- wounds: Fear provoked by the sight of blood or a wound or by receiving an injection or other invasive medical procedure.
Symptoms
People with phobias experience a wide variety of symptoms related to anxiety when exposed to the object or situation they fear. The symptoms are both physical and emotional. Can range by a general sense of apprehension in a real panic attack. Generally, the closer you are to the thing feared, the greater the intensity of symptoms and fear.
Common symptoms of specific phobia | |
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Symptoms of a phobia-type blood-injection-injury
The symptoms of this phobia are slightly different from those of other phobias. Faced with the sight of blood or a needle, what you experience is not just fear, but disgust. As in other cases, there is an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure, but, unlike other phobias, however, the situation following a sharp decline, causing nausea, dizziness and fainting. Though fear of fainting is a common symptom of phobias, the type blood-injection-injury is the only one that can actually happen in a swoon.
Although, as we have seen, the phobias are common, they rarely cause significant problems or disruption of daily activities.
If, however, avoid objects, activities or situations that trigger the fear interferes with the normal operations or otherwise prevent you from doing things that you want to do, it's time to ask for help.
If, however, avoid objects, activities or situations that trigger the fear interferes with the normal operations or otherwise prevent you from doing things that you want to do, it's time to ask for help.
treatment of phobias and fears
The most effective therapy used to treat phobias is cognitive-behavioral , acting particularly through the use of techniques called desensitization Systematic and gradual exposure, leading the patient to identify the feared situations and address them gradually, starting with those that cause less anxiety until you come to those who scare most, first in imagination and in vivo, following the directions of the therapist. Along with this exposure may be useful to learn relaxation techniques.
This treatment is very effective: according to the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), approximately 75% of patients can overcome their phobias through cognitive behavioral therapy.
fears are very common in children. According to research, even 90% of children aged between 2 and 14 years with at least one specific phobia. The following fears are common in many children and are considered "normal." ü 0-2 years - or sudden loud noises, strangers, separation from parents, very large objects. ü 3-6 years - imaginary beings like ghosts, witches and monsters, dark, sleeping alone, strange noises, some animals. ü 7-14 years - Fears more realistic as injury, disease, death, natural disasters, failures at school or in sport. If the fear of the child not interfere with her daily life, it is not necessary, because it is normal stages of growth. Conversely, if the fear has a strong impact on social activities on academic, sleep or other aspects of daily life of the child, you should consider seeking the help of a psychologist. |
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