Phobias
Fear is a natural and healthy response we all have to danger. It's a survival instinct designed to help us avoid and escape threatening situations. Phobias, however, are different. For a start, phobias are more intense than fears, and so can lead to severe anxiety and panic attacks in some people.
Phobias develop when a person experiences an exaggerated, or unrealistic, fear of a certain situation or object. If this situation or object is commonly encountered in daily life, the phobia can really restrict a person's life, preventing them from doing what they want, and causing them a great deal of distress.
Many phobias reside in our subconscious and are learned responses. This makes them particularly vulnerable to hypnosis. Hypnotherapy can help you unlearn the fear response, expose yourself to the phobia and control the anxiety associated with it.
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What are phobias?
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. Often, symptoms are experienced on actual contact with the object of the phobia, but for some people, symptoms can arise just by thinking about it.
When you encounter the source of your phobia, you're likely to feel incredibly scared, nervous and anxious. You may also experience physical symptoms of fear and anxiety, such as:
dizziness or vertigo
perspiration
rapid heartbeat and/or palpitations
nausea
tremors
upset stomach
If the source of your phobia is something you don't often come into contact with, it won't interfere with your daily life. On the other hand, if it's something you're likely to encounter on a daily basis, your phobia may have a greater impact on your life.
Phobias are generally classified into two categories: specific phobias and complex phobias:
Specific phobias
Specific phobic disorders are characterized by intense, persistent fear, experienced when confronted with distinct stimuli, for example, a dog, an airplane, blood, etc. Confrontation with particular situations, e.g. arriving late for work, appointments, etc., is also a phobia.
Specific phobias are common anxiety disorders affecting around 8% of adults.
Complex phobias
Complex phobias are essentially represented by agoraphobia and social phobias.
Phobias: possible causes
As with many mental issues, phobias rarely have a single cause. There may be several factors involved. The phobia may stem from a trauma or a particular event. For example, if you experienced a particularly hectic flight when you were younger, you may develop a fear of flying as a result. It may be a learned reaction you've received from someone else. For example, if your mother screamed when she saw a spider, you may have unconsciously learned that this is the appropriate reaction.
Some research also points to genetics as a factor. So you may simply have been born with a tendency to anxiety. Existing mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and long-term stress, can also contribute to the development of a phobia.
If you feel your phobia is holding you back or interfering significantly with your life, consider seeking help. For many people, hypnotherapy is a useful tool.
Hypnosis to overcome a phobia
Phobias operate on a subconscious level. This means that no matter how many times you try to convince yourself that XYZ is not life-threatening, your mind and body still react with fear. The aim of hypnotherapy is to communicate with your subconscious and change the way you feel and behave in the face of your phobia.
How many sessions are required?
It usually takes 1 to 3 sessions to get rid of simple phobias. The number of sessions required varies from person to person, and depends on the severity of the phobia. Some people feel better able to cope after just one session, while others need continuous reinforcement.
Depending on the case, your therapist will teach you self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques, so that you can continue the work you've done, and manage your anxiety over the long term.
