In today's article, I want to focus on "UNDERSTANDING PHOBIAS & THE SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE PHOBIAS".
A. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY 'PHOBIA or PHOBIAS'?
i. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a phobia is simply an irrational and excessive fear of an object or situation.
ii. I will add by saying that "A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder which is characterized by a PERSISTENT and excessive fear of an object or situation".
iii. A phobia is an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of an object or situation that ordinarily doesn't seem to pose real danger to any average person. However, in the case of a specific person struggling with this phobia, it ends up provoking anxiety and ultimately avoidance of the object or situation.
Most times, Phobias result in a rapid onset of fear, and are present for more than six months.
In order words, for a person to be considered as experiencing some form of Phobia, the fear and anxiety of an object or situation would have to be PERSISTENT for not less than Six months.
There are different types of phobias. But that will be delved into in our subsequent article. However, for the mean time, just understand that some people fear large, and open spaces. Others are also unable to tolerate certain social situations. And there still others who have a specific phobia, such as a fear of snakes, elevators, flying, and so on.
B. SEVERITY OF PHOBIAS
Before I talk about the major Symptoms of Phobias, I would like you to understand that Phobias can feel different for different persons. And the symptoms of phobias can also vary in their severity levels.
The intensity or severity of Phobias can be grouped into three (3).
We have:
i. Acute or Mild Phobia
ii. Moderate Phobia, and
iii. Severe or Chronic Phobia
C. MAJOR SYMPTOMS OF PHOBIA
Unlike the brief anxiety most people feel when they give a speech or take a test, a phobia is long lasting (as we've mentioned already), and it causes intense physical and psychological reactions or symptoms. Phobia can affect your ability to function normally at work, school, or in social settings.
The two (2) types of Symptoms of Phobias we want to focus on are:
i. The Psychological Symptoms, and
ii. The Physical or Physiological Symptoms
1. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF PHOBIAS can vary. But generally, they include:
i. a fear of losing control
ii. a fear of fainting
iii. The feeling that you must do everything possible to avoid what you fear
iv. feeling out of touch with reality, or detached from your body – known as dissociation.
v. a fear of dying
vi. There is a feeling of uncontrollable panic, terror or dread when you're exposed to the source of your fear
vii. In some cases, anxiety sets in just by thinking about what you fear.
2. THE PHYSICAL OR PHYSIOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS OF PHOBIAS include:
i. feeling like you are choking
ii. feeling unsteady, dizzy, or lightheaded
iii. Experiencing a pounding heart, palpitations or rapid heart rate or heartbeat.
iv. chest pain or tightness in the chest
v. sweating
vi. hot or cold flushes
vii. shortness of breath or a smothering sensation, or simply difficulty breathing.
viii. nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
ix. numbness or tingling sensations
x. trembling or shaking.
xi. Ultimately, there is a feeling of panic and intense anxiety
xii. In children, it could express itself as possibly tantrums, clinging or crying
xiii. Phobias can lead to the inability to function normally because of your anxiety
From what we have learnt so far, we can say that GENERALLY, the symptoms of Phobia involve experiencing intense FEAR and ANXIETY. This occurs in the face of the situation or object you're afraid of. If your phobia is SEVERE, even thinking about it can trigger symptoms.
D. CONCLUSION
In concluding today's article, I would like to say that in most cases, phobia involves a certain sense of endangerment or a fear of harm.
For example, those with agoraphobia fear being trapped in an inescapable place or situation.
If your Phobia symptoms are very intense, they could trigger a panic attack.
Even acute fear can feel extremely unpleasant and very frightening. It can sometimes lead to feelings of:
i. stress
ii. a loss of control
iii. being overwhelmed
iv. embarrassment
v. anxiety, and
vi. depression.
As a result of this, many people with phobias avoid situations which might trigger their phobia. This strategy they adopt might feel effective at first. But avoiding phobias can sometimes cause them to become worse. And it could start to have a significant impact on how you live your daily life.
And you must understand that it's not all phobias which need treatment. But if a phobia begins to negatively affect your daily life and day-to-day responsibilities; then it's advisable to seek professional help that can help you overcome your fears or phobias.
COMMENT & SHARE
I trust you have learnt something new today.
Don’t hesitate to use the knowledge you've acquired by reading this article to help either yourself or someone get the appropriate professional help. Do well to share this information and article with someone.
AUTHOR
COUNSELOR PRINCE OFFEI
(Psychotherapist & Psychologist)
+233 (0) 551428486
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