How Do Phobias Develop?
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Although phobias are very similar, they can form in a variety of ways. Some phobias form because of environmental factors, but sometimes phobias are hereditary. However, each type of phobia has its own way of developing.
The fear of an object, animal, or event is the most prevalent form of phobia. This is called a specific phobia, and fits the classic definition of a phobia. Some people seem to have specific phobias naturally, but most come from a bad experience, usually from childhood. Studies have shown that we form phobias of certain things more easily than others. This may be because of a survival instinct that has been passed down through generations. Many people with specific phobias realize that their fear makes no sense, but that does not matter. The only thing that matters is how uncomfortable and scared they are when their phobia strikes. Therapy or plain courage can eventually end specific phobias, although some are more severe than others.
Social phobia is the fear of embarrassing oneself in public, especially in situations where one may be judged. A fear of public speaking is one common social phobia. It was thought that social phobia was a kind of specific phobia, but in recent years it has gained its own designation because of differing causes and treatments. People who suffer from social phobia are prone to alcohol or drug abuse to ‘take off the edge,’ which usually leads them into increased isolationism. Alcoholism and drug addiction can also spawn a social phobia, in some cases, because of the lowered self esteem and depression that accompanies substance abuse. The use of anti-anxiety medication has proved effective in treating social phobias.
The other major phobia category is Agoraphobia, which was thought to a specific phobia of entering public places. However, we have learned that Agoraphobia is actually caused by the fear of intense panic attacks, especially the fear of having them in an uncontrolled environment. Many Agoraphobes cannot enjoy going to a restaurant, ride a bus, attend certain social events, or do any other number of things that would make them feel embarrassed or trapped if they had a panic attack. In essence, it is not being in public they fear, but having a panic attack.
One symptom of Agoraphobia is an increased awareness of the onset or feeling of a panic attack, such as nausea or increased heart rate. Agoraphobes are so hyper-aware of these panic attack symptoms that if they notice any signs of a panic attack, whether they are having a panic attack or not, they will become alarmed and fearful of having a panic attack, which in turn can cause a panic attack. Because of this cycle of fear, it is estimated that 40% of the people who have severe panic attacks will develop Agoraphobia at some point.
Agoraphobia may only limit certain people from flying or participating in other activities that would make them feel trapped or out of control. For other Agoraphobia sufferers, their comfort zone is much smaller, preventing some from leaving their home, or even their bed. Agoraphobia is commonly treated with anti-anxiety medication and therapy to reduce or avoid panic attacks and panic attack symptoms.
A phobia can be a debilitating condition, but it can be treated and cured, if the right steps are taken. Sometimes specific phobias can be remedied without the help of a professional, but social phobia and Agoraphobia usually require the use of anti-anxiety medicine. Many times the cause of a phobia is not certain, but, with treatment, a phobia can be ended.
For a great deal more informational value go to this online destination: Panic Attack Disorder and go to Anxiety Panic Attack Medicine Online with more helpful material at Panic Attack Or Heart Attack
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February 15th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Anxiety disorders are astonishingly common. They include Panic, Phobias (including Agoraphobia and Social Phobia), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder. For many people self-help is a viable way forward and this is why we wrote our book Free Yourself from Anxiety. We aim to show you, step-by-step, how to set up and follow an individually tailored self-help programme.
Part one looks at lifestyle, because very often the way you live is contributing to Anxiety. By making simple changes you can get yourself fit and ready to tackle your Anxiety driven behaviours.
Part two shows you how to challenge your Anxiety in a safe controlled way, by setting small goals that take you gradually towards letting go of anxious behaviours.
Part three shows you how to recognise your anxious thinking, challenge it, and ultimately change it.
Part four explains how to delve into some of the deeper issues that may be driving Anxiety. We also suggest where it might be appropriate for you to seek professional help.
Our aim in this book is to be as comprehensive as possible. Each reader will be able to decide which aspects of the recovery programme they need to complete and which are not relevant to them. In addition we have only discussed proven safe techniques.
Throughout the book we have used the words of Anxiety sufferers who are in various stages of recovery to illustrate our points
The authors
Emma Fletcher is a UK-registered counsellor with 20 years experience of helping anxiety sufferers and of training counsellors and volunteers on anxiety help-lines. She remains firmly committed to the self-help principle and believes that much of her work consists of giving her clients the tools to enable them to live more effectively. This book is an attempt to bring those tools to a wider audience.
Martha Langley is a professional writer and journalist. She has more than 10 years experience as a volunteer on helplines for people dealing with Anxiety and has also been a one-to-one mentor and recovery group leader. This has given her an insight into the difficulties faced by people trying to put self-help techniques into practice. Her aim in Free Yourself from Anxiety was to explain these techniques, to explain the reasoning behind them, and to make practical suggestions that will give every reader the best chance of recovery.
Free Yourself From Anxiety ISBN 978-1- 84528-311-7 is available from bookshops, book websites and Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Yourself-Anxiety-Self-help-Overcoming/dp/1845283112/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233135806&sr=1-1