Phobias
Phobias
Overview
A phobia is a common type of anxiety disorder.
Many people are afraid of things. Fear only becomes a phobia when you begin to organise your life around avoiding your fear.
If you have a phobia, you’ll have an overwhelming need to avoid all contact with the source of your anxiety. Coming into contact with the thing you’re afraid of will cause you to feel anxiety and/or panic. Sometimes just thinking about it can cause these feelings.
Phobias can be caused by many things, including:
- animals
- objects
- places
- situations
If the cause of your phobia is an object or animal that you don’t see regularly, it’s unlikely to affect your day-to-day life. But, if you encounter the cause of your phobia regularly, you may find it very difficult to lead a normal life.
Simple phobias
Simple phobias are fears about specific objects, animals, situations or activities. Some common examples include:
- dogs
- spiders (arachnophobia)
- snakes
- enclosed spaces (claustrophobia)
- dentists
- flying
While some people are able to manage their fears, others will need help and support to tackle the problem.
Complex phobias
Complex phobias can have a bigger impact than simple phobias. This is because they’re often associated with a deep-rooted fear or anxiety about a particular circumstance or situation.
Speaking to a GP about your anxiety may help to identify a complex phobia.
Two common examples of complex phobias are agoraphobia and social phobia.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult, or where help wouldn’t be available if things go wrong.
Agoraphobia often involves a combination of several connected phobias. Someone with agoraphobia may also fear being left alone (monophobia). They might also fear places where they feel trapped (claustrophobia).
This means someone with agoraphobia may find it difficult to:
- travel on public transport
- visit a shopping centre
- leave home (in extreme cases)
Some people feel very apprehensive and anxious if they have to leave their home to visit the shops. Others may feel relatively comfortable travelling a short distance from their home.
Social phobia
If you have social phobia, you may experience fear of:
- being in social situations, like weddings
- performing in social situations, like public speaking
- leaving home because of the risk of meeting people (in extreme cases)
If you have a social phobia, the thought of being seen in public can make you feel very anxious and frightened. These situations can make you feel vulnerable.
Intentionally avoiding meeting people in social situations is a sign of social phobia.
How common are phobias?
Phobias are the most common type of anxiety disorder. In the UK, an estimated 10 million people have phobias. Phobias can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex and social background.
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
Phobias এর কারণ কী?
বেশিরভাগ ক্ষেত্রে ফোবিয়া শৈশব, কৈশোর বা জীবনের শুরুর দিকে দেখা দেয়। প্রায়ই এর শুরু হয় কোনো ভয়ংকর অভিজ্ঞতা বা মানসিক চাপের কোনো ঘটনার পর। তবে সব সময় স্পষ্ট করে বলা যায় না যে, ঠিক কী কারণে নির্দিষ্ট কোনো ফোবিয়া তৈরি হলো।
যদি দেখেন পরিবারের অন্য সদস্যরাও আপনার মতো একই ফোবিয়ায় ভোগেন, তাহলে সম্ভাবনা বেশি যে ছোটবেলা থেকেই পরিবারের কারো কাছ থেকে দেখে দেখে এই ভয়টা আপনাদের মধ্যে গড়ে উঠেছে।
Diagnosis
Most people with a phobia know they have one. Many simply live with it, quietly avoiding the thing they fear, without ever getting a formal diagnosis.
If your phobia is affecting your daily life, it may help to talk to your GP. They can refer you to a specialist, such as a psychologist, for further help.
Treatment
Almost all phobias can be treated successfully and cured.
Treating simple phobias
Treating a simple phobia usually means being gradually exposed to the thing that frightens you. This approach is known as desensitisation or self-exposure therapy.
Every phobia is different, so no single programme works for everyone. You may choose to get help from a specialist, such as a psychologist, or you might prefer a self-help approach.
Our mental health self-help guides are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). They can be helpful for people with anxiety and other mental health issues.
Treating complex phobias
Treating a complex phobia often takes longer than treating a simple one. It may involve talking therapies such as counselling, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Speak to your GP for more information about treating a complex phobia.
Medication
Medication is not usually used to treat phobias.