Phobia. HSP3C
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