This article will discuss types of phobias, signs and symptoms of phobias, tips to overcome them, and treatment options.
Phobia vs. Fear
A phobia is more severe than a fear. More specifically, a phobia is an irrational fear that is out of proportion compared to the threat of what is feared. There may be little threat, or even no threat at all, and the person could experience symptoms of anxiety. Fear, on the other hand, is an intense emotion in response to a threat in the moment.
Types of Phobias
There are different types of phobias. Specific phobia is an anxiety disorder that includes five types of phobias. Social phobia is also an anxiety disorder, but it is not classified as one of the five specific phobias.
Animal Type
Animal type is a specific phobia. People with this type of phobia have an intense, ongoing fear of animals or insects. Examples include dogs, cats, birds, mice, snakes, butterflies, and spiders.
Animal typeNatural environment typeBlood-injection-injury typeSituational typeOther type
Natural Environment Type
Natural environment type is a specific phobia. People with this type of phobia have an intense, ongoing fear of objects that make up natural surroundings. Examples include deep water, heights, lightning, or storms.
Blood-Injection-Injury Type
Blood-injection-injury type is a specific phobia. People with this type of phobia have an intense, ongoing fear of seeing or experiencing injury, blood, or injections. Additional examples are blood draws or medical procedures.
Situational Type
Situational type is a specific phobia. People with this type of phobia have an intense, ongoing fear of certain experiences. Examples include elevators, enclosed places, flying, driving, animatronics, and public transportation.
Other Type
Other type is a specific phobia. People with this type of phobia have an intense, ongoing fear of something that is not part of one of the other types of specific phobias. Examples include choking, germs or getting sick, time, vomiting, dolls, ghosts, or loud noises.
Signs You May Need to Overcome a Phobia
It is normal to have fears of anything that could be harmful. For example, it is natural and a good thing to be afraid of walking across a street without looking because you could otherwise get hit by a car.
However, some people experience extreme, ongoing fears of objects and situations that are not likely to be harmful, or the fear is out of proportion to the risk level. If phobias are severe enough to cause significant symptoms of anxiety or interfere with daily life, it is a good idea to work to overcome them.
Tips to Overcome a Phobia
Desensitize Yourself
It is possible to become desensitized to a phobia. This means that you can become less and less affected by the phobia over time with safe, controlled exposure. One way to do this is with a fear ladder, which involves exposure that is very small at first and then builds.
For example, if you are afraid of spiders, you may start by looking at pictures of flowers that look like spiders, building to looking at pictures of actual spiders. From there, you may be able to watch videos of spiders and, eventually, be able to see spiders behind glass without a fear response.
Partner Up
Social support plays an important role in physical and mental health, including the process of overcoming phobias. When going through the desensitization or fear ladder steps, it can be helpful to talk with friends and family about it. They can then help by listening, encouraging, and celebrating when each goal has been achieved.
If a friend or a family member has a phobia as well, it can be helpful for both people to overcome them together. It doesn’t even have to be the same phobia.
Join a Support Group
In addition to friend and family support, or if friend and family support is not available, it can help to join a support group. A support group is a professional-led group of people that come together to cope with or overcome a problem. In this case, it is a group to overcome a phobia, and the professional leader could provide techniques and support.
Relaxation, Visualization, and Breathing Techniques
Relaxation, visualization, and breathing techniques can be used to help overcome phobias. These techniques can be used during the desensitization process, when encountering what is feared, and even when thinking about possibly encountering the fear in the future. Relaxation techniques may be combined with visualization and breathing techniques.
Treatment
In addition to techniques to overcome phobias, they can be treated with the help of a healthcare professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is the primary treatment option for phobias. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is commonly used. One specific method is a type of CBT called exposure therapy that involves confronting the fear in small steps, in a controlled and safe environment.
Medication may also be used along with talk therapy. This type of treatment does not help the person overcome the fear, but it can relieve some of the symptoms. Some examples of medications may include anti-anxiety medications, beta-blockers, and antidepressants.
Summary
A phobia is an extreme, irrational fear that is ongoing and can interfere with daily life or lead to anxiety symptoms. It may be a fear of a specific animal or insect, something in the environment, potential experience, social situation, or something else. There are techniques and treatments to overcome and cope with phobias. Anyone struggling with a severe, ongoing fear should consult a healthcare professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist for support.
A Word From Verywell
Phobias can significantly impact daily life. The thought of overcoming them may also be scary. If you experience a phobia, you are not alone. Help is available. There are ways to cope with and overcome phobias. Reach out to a healthcare professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, for support.
