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Phobias

By: Jordan Francom

A phobia is described as an exaggerated, usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation. Fear is the normal response to a genuine danger. With phobias however, the fear is either irrational or excessive. Phobias affect people of all ages, from all walks of life, and in every part of the country.

We all have things that frighten us or make us un easy; New places, insects, driving over high bridges or going on elevators. And although we sometimes try to avoid things that make us uncomfortable, we generally manage to control our fears and carry on with daily activities. Some people, however, have very strong irrational, involuntary fear reactions that lead them to avoid common everyday places, situations, or objects, even though they know logically there isnt any danger.

The American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education (APIRE) has reported that in any given year, 7.8 percent of American adults have phobias. They are the most common psychiatric illness among women of all ages and are the second most common illness among men older than 25.

Most phobias seem to come out of the blue, usually arising in childhood or early adulthood. Scientists believe that phobias can be traced to a combination of genetic tendencies, dramatic experiences, brain chemistry and other biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

There are many different types of phobias, they are generally categorized into three different groups according to the cause of the reaction and avoidance agoraphobia, social phobia (also known as social anxiety disorder) specific phobias.

Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear of being alone in any place or situation where it seems escape would be difficult or help unavailable should the need arise. People with agoraphobia may avoid being on bridges, busy streets or in crowded stores. Some people with agoraphobia become so disabled they literally will not leave their homes. If they do, it is only with great distress or when accompanied by a friend or family member. The first panic attack may follow some stressful event, such as a serious illness or the death of a loved one. Fearing more attacks, the person develops a more-or-less continual state of anxiety, anticipating the next attack, avoiding situations where he would be helpless if a panic attack occurred. It is this avoidance behavior that distinguishes agoraphobia from panic disorder. Two different types of anxiety appear to afflict the person with agoraphobia - panic and the "anticipatory anxiety" engendered by expectations of future panic attacks.

Agoraphobia
Two-thirds of those with agoraphobia are women. Symptoms usually develop between late adolescence and mid 30s. The onset may be sudden or gradual. Most people with agoraphobia develop the disorder after first suffering from one or more spontaneous panic attacksfeelings of intense, overwhelming terror accompanied by symptoms such as sweating, shortness of breath, or faintness. These attacks seem to occur randomly and without warning, making it impossible for a person to predict what situation will trigger such a reaction.

Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder


The second group of phobias is social phobias. A person with social phobia is immensely afraid of being judged by others, they fear being watched or humiliated while doing something in front of others. Even at a gathering of many people, the social phobic expects to be singled out, scrutinized, and found wanting. Thus, the person with a social phobia feels compelled to avoid social situations with such apprehensions. With any activity it often feels as mundane as signing a personal check, or eating a meal. The most common social phobia is the fear of speaking in public. Many people have a generalized form of social phobia, in which they fear and avoid interpersonal interactions. This makes it difficult for them to go to work or school or to socialize at all.

Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder


Although studies of the incidence of social phobias are so far only preliminary, most experts believe social phobias are not as common as simple phobias. But because they result in considerable distress, people who suffer from them are more likely to seek treatment than are people with simple phobias. Social phobias tend to begin after puberty, between the ages of 15 and 20, and if left untreated can be lifelong. Often, social phobias suffer from symptoms of depression, and many also become dependent on alcohol.

Specific Phobias
The third category of phobias is specific phobias. As the name implies, people with a specific phobia generally have an irrational fear of specific objects or situations. The disability caused by this phobia can be severe if the feared object or situation is a common one.

Specific Phobias
Most simple phobias develop during childhood and eventually disappear. Those that persist into adulthood rarely go away without treatment. The most common of the various phobias is simple phobia, the unreasonable fear of some object or situation. Bees, germs, heights, odors, illness, and storms are examples of the things commonly feared in simple phobias.
If you have a simple phobia, it might have begun when you actually did face a risk that realistically provoked anxiety. Perhaps, for example, you found yourself in deep water before you learned to swim. Extreme fear was appropriate in such a situation. But if you continue to avoid even the shallow end of a pool, your anxiety is excessive and may be of phobic proportions.

Common phobia signs and symptoms:


Feelings of panic, dread, horror, or terror Shortness of breath or smothering sensation Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate Chest pain or discomfort Trembling or shaking Feeling of choking Sweating Nausea or stomach distress Feeling unsteady, dizzy, lightheaded, or faint Feelings of unreality or of being detached from yourself Fear of losing control or going crazy Fear of dying Numbness or tingling sensations Hot or cold flashes Fear of fainting Recognition that the fear goes beyond normal boundaries and the actual threat of danger Reactions that are automatic and uncontrollable, practically taking over the persons thoughts Overwhelming desire to flee the situationall the physical reactions associated with extreme fear Extreme measures taken to avoid the feared object or situation

Outlook
Even though the causes of phobia and panic are not well understood, treatments for these disorders are often very effective. Therapists use a variety of techniques, their choice usually linked to their beliefs about the cause of the disorder.

Outlook
Many of these techniques share a common feature: They all seem to require that patients confront the source of their discomfort. Some therapists ask their patients to confront a feared situation in imagination, while others require a real-life confrontation.

Outlook
Any phobia that interferes with daily living and creates extreme disability should be treated. With proper treatment, the vast majority of phobia patients can completely overcome their fears and be symptom-free for years, if not for life. Effective relief can usually be gained through either cognitive behavior therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Outlook
The outlook for people with phobias has improved greatly in the last two decades.People with simple phobias can often be relieved of their fears in a matter of weeks. People subject to panic attacks can usually find relief with antidepressant medication. Through the use of these drugs and exposure treatment, people with agoraphobia can be helped to venture out and face the threatening situations they have been avoiding. People with social phobias can be taught social skills and helped somewhat with exposure therapy and medication.

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