Face Your Fears
Free image by ambermb from Pixabay
Fear of spiders, snakes, heights, flying, needles, crowds, germs, small spaces, and many other things are common. Phobias affect 5% of children, 16% of adolescents, and many of these fears continue into adulthood (Anxiety Canada, 2023). With phobias being so prevalent, we often tend to think of them as an accepted part of life; however, there are several treatment options to help manage or eliminate the impact of these fears on our daily living.
Fears can elicit a wide variety of thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours which can have adverse effects on health, social interactions, academics, work, sport performance, and overall quality of life. These symptoms can be mild in nature or result in a full panic attack. Phobias can result in feelings of powerlessness, vulnerability, shame, or confusion.
While it is easier to address phobias early on, it is never too late to seek support and explore treatment options. You may or may not have an idea of how the fear started in the first place. Sometimes a phobia starts with an obvious specific incident, or it may be related to other experiences that are not as clear. Specific phobias may develop when an individual associates an object with the fear and anxiety they experienced a significant event (Samra & Abdijadid, 2023). Other times, a phobia can develop from an unconscious response in which anxiety regarding an experience is projected onto another object or situation (Headspace Inc., 2023). Occasionally, medical conditions or use of substances can result in phobia development (Samra & Abdijadid, 2023).
Often individuals who experience a specific phobia have more than one. While fears may appear irrational, your nervous system is making decisions and responding with alarm in an attempt to keep you safe. Seeking support to explore possible sources of the phobia(s), assess your physiological responses, belief patterns, and determine treatment options is a first step to facing your fears.
Tonia
For more information, call (587-224-4071), email (tonia@toniaandersonpsychology.ca) or book a free consultation with Tonia.
References:
Anxiety Canada (2023). Specific phobia in children. https://www.anxietycanada.com/disorders/specific-phobia-in-children/
Headspace Inc. (2023). Nothing to fear but fear itself: Where do phobias come from. https://www.headspace.com/articles/where-do-phobias-come-from
Samra C. K. & Abdijadid, S. (2023). Specific phobia. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499923/