Courtesy of Provisions Consulting Inc.
Phobias are persistent, irrational fears of
certain objects or situations. Phobias occur in several forms; the fear associated with a
phobia can focus on a particular object (specific phobia) or be a fear of embarrassment in
a public setting (social phobia). People who have phobias are often so overwhelmed by
their anxiety that they avoid the feared objects or situations. Specific phobias involve a
fear of an object or situation, such as small animals, snakes, closed-in spaces, or flying
in an airplane. Social phobia is the fear of being humiliated in a social setting, such as
when meeting new people ,giving a speech, or talking to the boss. Most people experience
these fears with mild to moderate intensity, and the fear passes. For people with social
phobia, however, the fear is extremely intrusive and can disrupt normal life, interfering
with work or social relationships in varying degrees of severity.
Fortunately, through research supported by the National Institute of
Mental Health (NIMH), effective treatments have been developed to help people with
phobias.
How Common Are Phobias?
- Approximately 13% to 15% of the U.S. population has one or
more phobias in a given year (this includes social and specific phobias and agoraphobia).
- Specific phobias occur in people of all ages. The average age of
onset for social phobia is between 15 and 20 years of age, although it can often begin in
childhood.
What Causes Phobias?
Traumatic events often trigger the development of specific phobias,
which are slightly more prevalent in women than men. Research shows that social phobia may
have a hereditary component and occurs in women and men in equal proportions. However, men
may seek treatment for social phobia more frequently than women.
What Treatments Are Available for Phobias?
Social phobia can be effectively treated with medications including
MA01s, SSRIS, and high potency benzodiazepines. People with a specific form of social
phobia called performance- phobia have been helped by drugs called beta blockers. There is
no proven drug treatment for specific phobias, but certain medications may help reduce
symptoms of anxiety before one faces a phobic situation. A type of cognitive-behavioral
therapy known as "exposure therapy" is also a very useful treatment for phobias.
It involves helping patients become gradually more comfortable with situations that
frighten them. Relaxation and breathing techniques are also helpful.
Can People With Phobias Also Have Other Physical and Emotional
Illnesses?
People with phobias, particularly social phobia, may also have problems
with substance abuse. Many people with social or a specific phobia become so anxious that
they experience panic attacks, which are intense and unexpected bursts of terror
accompanied by physical symptoms. As more situational panic attacks occur, people with
phobias may take extreme measures to avoid situations where they fear another attack might
happen or where help would not be immediately available. This avoidance, similar to that
in many panic disorder patients, may eventually develop into agoraphobia, an inability to
go beyond known and safe surroundings because of intense fear and anxiety. Appropriate
diagnosis and treatment of other disorders are important to successful treatment of
phobias.
