Phobias and fears
What are phobias?
A phobia is an intense fear of something that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger.
If you have a phobia, you probably realize that your fear is unreasonable, yet you still can’t control your feelings. Just thinking about the thing you fear may make you anxious. And when you’re actually exposed to your phobia, the terror is automatic and overwhelming.
The experience is so
nerve-wracking that you may go to great lengths to avoid
it – inconveniencing yourself or even
changing your lifestyle.
Common types of phobias and fears
Animal phobias. Animal phobias are fears caused by an animal or insect. Examples include fear of snakes, fear of spiders, fear of rodents, and fear of dogs.
Natural environment phobias. Natural environment phobias are fears cued by objects found in nature. Examples include fear of heights, fear of storms, fear of water, and fear of the dark.
Situational phobias. Situational phobias are fears triggered by a specific situation. Examples include fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), fear of elevators, fear of flying, fear of dentists, fear of driving, fear of tunnels, and fear of bridges.
Blood-Injection-Injury phobia. Blood-injection-injury phobia involves fear of blood, fear or injury, or a fear of shots or another medical procedure.
Social phobias: Social
phobia, is fear of social situations where you may be embarrassed
or judged. Fear of public speaking, an extremely common phobia,
is a type of social phobia. Other fears associated with social
phobia include fear of eating or drinking in public, talking
to strangers, taking exams, mingling at a party, and being
called on in class.
Phobia facts
An estimated 13% of the adult population will develop a phobia at some point in their life.
Women are twice as likely as men to experience phobias
How hypnotherapy can help
If you’re living in fear because of your phobia, take hope. Hypnotherapy can help with phobias quickly and efficiently. Most can be treated in just a few sessions.
Usually the original cause of the phobia can be traced back to early childhood where the traumatic event first occurred.
The hypnotherapist would then desensitise the client to the phobic stimulus i.e. spiders, by helping you reframe your thoughts about the experience.
You will learn new, more relaxed responses which help you become calmer in situations where you are likely to encounter the stimulus.
After the treatment, you will feel more in control so you can be free of your fears and start to go where you want and do what you want.
