Phobia HSP 3 C What is a phobia

Phobia. HSP 3 C

What is a phobia? A strong, irrational fear of something that has little or no danger at all Comes from the Greek word “fear”

Phobia vs. Fear What’s the difference? Phobia = STRESS. They do whatever it takes to avoid what scares them It can stop them from having an everyday life

Symptoms Panic Rapid heartbeat Shortness of breath Trembling Really, really wants to get away

PHOBIAS. 1) Specific phobia: fear of specific object, or situation Eg. plants, animals, clowns

PHOBIAS. 2) Social Phobia More than shyness Great fear of being rejected

PHOBIAS 3) Fear of open spaces (agrophobia) Actual or anticipated situation Eg. Public transportation, being in a crowd, standing in line

Origins Usually comes from childhood or teenage years, and continues into adulthood After traumatic (painful) experience Family/relatives – learn their behaviour

Complications Life can be hard to live Depression Substance abuse

DIAGNOSIS NO test for determining phobias Go through an interview with doctor

Treatment Medications Help control anxiety and panic attacks

Treatment Psychotherapy 1) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy learn other beliefs about the fear; learn how to control feelings and thoughts

Treatments 2) Exposure Therapy Individual slowly learns how to change response to situation; gradual (slowly), and repeated (over and over again)

Phobia Facts There are many different phobias! For example… Coulrophobia – fear of clowns Didaskaleinophobia – fear of going to school Heliophobia – fear of sunlight Melissophobia – fear of bees Isolophobia – fear of being alone

Phobia Facts There are more than 400 phobias being diagnosed by doctors It is unique to the individual, and each phobia can be different!

Help? Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada http: //www. anxietycanada. ca/ Dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of Anxiety Disorders