Phobias unlike Fears are irrational in nature. They can appear when no real danger is present. Unlike fears, phobias serve no real useful purpose. Phobias, on the other hand, are very different, being out of all proportion to the situation or object which elicits the fear. People can have a phobia towards almost anything. There are more than 500 phobias recognized to date.
Another way to explain a phobia is a feeling that is uncontrollable, excessive, unrealistic and or illogical. It can be elicited by an object, situation, or activity. It usually involves strong physiological and emotional responses.
RULES TO FOLLOW
General rules to follow when questioning whether it is a fear or a phobia:- When did it start? It is more common for a phobia to develop in adulthood.
- You feel vague about the onset of the problem.
- You are aware that your reactions are irrational in nature.
- It has developed from an unknown primary cause.
- You were triggered by an event and now every time you do this thing or relive it, you have the same reaction.
MAIN TOOLS
- Symptomatic Approach
- Desensitization
- Dream Therapy
FEARS
Seeking help with fears is one of the most common reasons clients come in for hypnotherapy treatment. The difference between a fear and a phobia is that a fear unlike a phobia is rational. You know where it comes from or where it stems from and it is a very useful survival mechanism. It is fear that lets you know to take action. Fears are rational. It is an emotion of varying intensity aroused by a recognized and logical threat and involving a fight/flight response. It arouses a feeling of unpleasant tension, a strong impulse to escape, and physiological changes, e.g, changes in breathing. In the case of fear, the primary cause of the fear stimulus is usually a known factor. The client can generally define the fear and often knows when the fear started. Most fears are established in childhood.COMMON FEARS, FEAR OF:
- loss
- rejection
- success
- failure
- pain
- exposure
- strangers
- homosexuality
- sexual performance
- poor sports performance
- responsibility
- the unknown