Are Phobias Controlling Your Life?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over 6 million Americans suffer from specific phobias. A specific phobia is an anxiety disorder that is based on a certain fear. These fears vary greatly from person to person and usually stem from experiences in childhood. Specific phobias go beyond being simply adverse to a certain object or situation and can actually cause panic attacks.
Specific phobias can be difficult to diagnose in comparison to rational fears. There are six main criteria points that doctors use to diagnose specific phobias. First, the fear must be persistent and unfading. In some people, this fear may also be felt even if the object is not around or the situation is not happening, simple because it might be around or happen in the future. The second criteria that must be met for diagnosis is acute anxiety, sometimes even leading to a panic attack, when the object is around or the person is in the situations. Thirdly, the fear itself is irrational and excessive, because there is no immediate danger. Next, a person will start to avoid the object or situation, even if this disrupts daily life. Another criteria is that it disrupts life to the point where it interferes with normal daily functioning and a considerable amount of time is spent worrying about the phobia. Lastly, these symptoms are not attributed to another anxiety condition or disorder.
Fears vary widely, but fall into five categories: animals, natural environments, blood and injury, situational, and other. In some cases, treatment is not necessary. For example, if you have a fear of airplanes, you can simply choose not to fly during your life. However, once the phobia begins to disrupt your functioning on a daily basis, you should see your doctor for treatment. Behavior therapy is usually the best treatment you can get for a specific phobia. With this process, the person is exposed to the object or situation, slowly at first, and with pictures or visualization. Virtual reality is also great for helping others to overcome specific phobias.
It is simply important to seek help if a specific phobia is ruining your life. You can ask your doctor for tips to help you overcome a panic attack or ways in which to avoid objects or situations in healthy ways. While you may never be "cured" from your specific phobia, it is totally possible to let it go enough to be able to live your life normally on a day-to-day basis.
Anxiety Panic Attacks
Panic Attacks -- Signs Of Vulnerability
Relaxing Those Nerves In How To Get Rid Of Anxiety And Panic
Panic Attacks – What Would Happen If You Do Not Get Treatment
Going On Vacation Can Do Wonders For Your High Anxiety
Panic Anxiety Disorder Is A Condition That Does Not Spare Anyone
Finding The "Inner Child" In How To Get Rid Of Anxiety And Help
Control The Anxiety Attack Symptom Before It Overcomes You Completely
Anxiety Panic Attacks
Coping Skills In How To Get Rid Of Anxiety And Panic
... wrong to resolve the problem and make your work environment more pleasing to you. If you are losing sleep, you need to find out what you are doing to cause the problem. Lack of sleep will increase stress, thus finding the problem can help you get rid of anxiety and panic. You might want to consider nicotine, ...
Teen Anxiety Attacks: Signs, Symptoms And Remedies
... experience severe anxiety than others. Some even feel severe anxiety by just thinking about the situation that has yet to happen. And when someone experiences episodes of panics or develops irrational fear over certain events or problems, it is known as anxiety attack. When is too much anxiety too much? ...
... activities such as school event and summer camps Nightmares and night terrors Compulsive behaviors Resistance to any change Low self-esteem, lack of confidence Overly shy and difficulty making friends Chronic physical symptoms such as stomach aches or headaches without any apparent reason A child is under ...
Basket Cases In How To Get Rid Of Anxiety And Panic
... escaping, not... If you are constantly trying to escape responsibility, you will spend the course of your life worrying, panicking, and feeling anxious. Now, you see what it takes to get rid of anxiety and panic. Oh, you do not, well then let me continue. Life is a bundle of joy wrapped up in a stick ...
... can occur are: when driving, on an airplane, crowded areas, or during sleep at night. Sometimes anxiety attack occurs in a situation where the person cannot exit easily from a social gathering, or in a meeting, but others may experience an incident of anxiety for no reason while in comfortable place or ...