Unless you’ve ever experienced one, it’s hard for some people to believe how real a true phobia can be. In fact, even some people who have one specific phobia have trouble understanding how someone could suffer from another specific phobia. For example, someone who has a fear of needles can’t understand why someone would be afraid of elevators. They’re not exaggerated or something the person has much control over. They can be triggered and take life for a number of reasons, for some the unknown is frightening, while others have had a traumatic experience with the thing they fear. And, of course there are some people who develop a phobia that is completely unrelated to any past experience, out of the blue. It’s possible that a phobia is just how one person’s anxiety (or guilt, or stress…) is manifested and expressed.
Phobias can be paralyzing, isolating, and life-altering experiences. While some don’t really know what they’re afraid of, most people fear death, loss of control, having a panic attack or humiliation associated with their phobia. This can lead to avoiding anything associated with the fear. People may avert certain people or places to try to avoid encountering the thing they fear, and others may isolate completely. It can take over a person’s life, keeping them from performing simple tasks like having a job, interacting with friends, or even going to the grocery store. When left untreated, phobias can generalize to more objects or places. For example, a fear of tarantulas can generalize to all spiders, all insects, etc. This fear is greater than what people without a phobia can imagine.
Look out for the next post where I’ll share some tips for overcoming phobias. Hint: it involves facing your fears! Subscribe to this blog to make sure you don’t miss that and future stories!
Many of us are afraid of one thing or another, here are some of the more common phobias.
Phobias can be paralyzing, isolating, and life-altering experiences. While some don’t really know what they’re afraid of, most people fear death, loss of control, having a panic attack or humiliation associated with their phobia. This can lead to avoiding anything associated with the fear. People may avert certain people or places to try to avoid encountering the thing they fear, and others may isolate completely. It can take over a person’s life, keeping them from performing simple tasks like having a job, interacting with friends, or even going to the grocery store. When left untreated, phobias can generalize to more objects or places. For example, a fear of tarantulas can generalize to all spiders, all insects, etc. This fear is greater than what people without a phobia can imagine.
Look out for the next post where I’ll share some tips for overcoming phobias. Hint: it involves facing your fears! Subscribe to this blog to make sure you don’t miss that and future stories!
Many of us are afraid of one thing or another, here are some of the more common phobias.