We explain what phobias are and how to stop them.
Fears have their origin in learned behaviors and, consequently, can be deactivated. How? We tell you, but first we will know in depth what a phobia is and what its symptoms and main causes are.
- Recommended article: “Types of phobias: causes, symptoms and characteristics”
Phobia: what it is, causes and typical symptoms
A phobia is an overwhelming and irrational fear of something in particular (spiders, heights, driving a car …) or a particular circumstance (meetings of friends, flying in an airplane …). If this picture of symptoms lasts for several months, a psychologist can diagnose us with an anxiety disorder, which requires specific and professional treatment.
That exaggerated fear of anxiety leads us to adopt avoidant behaviors. For example, a person has an agonizing fear of the presence of a dog and avoids walking down the street or in those areas where he knows he could cross paths with a dog. This is a detriment to their daily lives.
Another example would be that individual who suffers from fear of speaking in public, and therefore avoids as much as possible facing that situation that generates stress and anguish. If you do not solve this phobia, it is likely that your working life will be limited, since in most companies the communicative capacity of workers is highly valued.
Phobias, as we said, are based on learned situations, that is, negative experiences (having been bitten by a dog develops cynophobia) or inherited (a mother transmits to her children the fear of injections -trypanophobia-).
Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms in phobias are as follows:
- Anxiety about the threatening object or situation, even just thinking about it.
- Feeling of helplessness (lack of control).
- Avoidant behaviors.
- Notorious deficit in the performance of daily tasks (work or family life).
- Physical reactions to the feared object or situation: feeling dizzy, tachycardia or sweating.
What are the most common phobias?
We are going to know which are the phobias that affect a greater number of patients , and their main characteristics.
1. Social phobia
Fear of being judged negatively in social or public contexts (for example, at a party or an exam).
2. Agoraphobia
Anxiety and a feeling of anguish when being in open spaces, especially due to the fear of losing control in a situation that is perceived as hostile and defenseless.
3. Claustrophobia
The exact opposite of agoraphobia. It is the fear of closed spaces, such as elevators or other similar rooms.
4. Aerophobia or fear of flying
Fear of moving on board planes.
5. Amaxophobia or fear of driving
Causing anxiety or panic attacks while driving a vehicle.
How to deal with fears, for example, of open spaces
“We all have fear at some point in our lives. The important thing is that it does not paralyze us”, says psychologist Tomás Santa Cecilia , who has a “non-pathological” point of view of fears or phobias.
“These and other situations can overwhelm us thinking that we do not know how to face them. At that time, having a psychologist can be of great help, “suggests the professional who, to treat these issues, is governed by the cognitive behavioral model, for its effectiveness and great scientific support.
Precisely, the first step is to become aware that it is an uncontrollable fear. The second is to treat it. How? “Unlearning” fears and learning new coping strategies to overcome them and thus gain security.
It is possible to overcome social phobia, as well as the fear of driving, flying or open spaces. The important thing is to ask for professional help as soon as possible. “My goal is to recover your emotional well-being,” says psychologist Tomás Santa Cecilia.
- You can contact the psychologist Tomás Santa Cecilia if you need to attend therapy, through his professional profile.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.