Overcoming Phobias

Since today is Halloween, I thought it might be appropriate to talk about how to deal with things that scare us! Believe it or not, the best way to overcome a phobia is to face your fear! If you’re afraid of elevators getting in, and having some experiences in elevators that don’t result in what you feared (getting stuck, trapped, or having the elevator drop) will retrain your mind that there really isn’t anything to be afraid of. (Read all about phobias in last week’s post: Phobias)
I know that’s easier said than done, so let’s break it down into smaller steps. For example, if you happen to suffer from dentophobia (yup, you guessed it, a phobia of dentists), here are some gradual steps you can take to overcome your fear.

• First and foremost, learn some relaxation tips that will carry you through the following steps
• Search Google for “friendly dentist” images
• Research dentists in your area
• Talk to a dentist outside of their office if you know any!
• Call a few dental offices to get a feel for how they accommodate to fearful patients (you’ll be surprised at what they can do to make you feel more comfortable)
• Make an appointment for a cleaning (so you know nothing more invasive will be scheduled that day)
• Visit the dentist’s office for a few minutes and just sit in the waiting room
• Go in for your appointment

Maybe you can do all of this alone and overcome your phobia. Most people need a trained professional to offer some extra support. The good news is, there’s help! Therapy can be highly effective in treating phobias, with techniques like desensitization (where you imagine situations that cause anxiety while remaining relaxed through breathing) or gradual exposure (starting with the least scary trigger and working your way up, while using newly mastered relaxation techniques) as described above. Your therapist will start at your comfort level, and support you through the process so you don’t have to go through it alone. Not ready for therapy? Start by doing some research about phobias – information can be empowering, and then there are some amazing phobia treatment workbooks that can provide you with tools and ideas for overcoming your phobia. And remember, I’m available for consultations if you need extra help and guidance!