Specific Phobia Symptoms and Treatment - Specific phobia is defined as an excessive and irrational fear of objects or situations. Then the victim is exposed to the feared leads almost always to immediate fear, which can pass into a 'panic attack.
What arouses fear may be:
- Living creatures (such as spiders, wasps and dogs)
- Natural phenomena (like heights and water)
- Blood / syringes / damage (like the sight of blood and injections)
- Specific situations (elevators, air travel and confined spaces)
- Other forms (as situations that can lead to loud noises, choking or disease)
- Fear on holes called trypophobia
How common is specific phobia?
It is often said that 7-15 percent of the population develops a
specific phobia at some time during their lives. The prevalence varies for different subgroups of phobias. Although the average age of onset varies between the different sub-groups, from about 7 years for djurfobiker about 22 years flygfobiker. More women than men develop phobias toward living beings, natural phenomena, and for specific situations. Women stand there for 75-90 percent of those affected. At phobias against blood / needles / damage, the corresponding figure 55-70 percent.
Why develop specific phobia?
Biological explanations have been found signs of seemingly inherited fears of many animal species, such as ducks duck when they see something like a hawk. Many species also play dead at the dangers.
It is easier to develop fears of things that previously have been a danger to people, such as insects and high altitudes. A clear proof of heritage is that it is common, for example, spider phobia, but not such a phobia against such weapons, and environmental threats. Studies have shown that genetic factors are the most dominant force specific phobias against live animals. The genetic factors can not alone explain phobias.
Learning Theory One can learn to be afraid of anything. For example if you get a shock when opening a car door can be a little nervous and scared the next time you open the door. Even a phobia may, wholly or partially, be enrolled. When you have become afraid of something starts can often avoid this. The avoidance perpetuates fear, partly because through the avoidance feel relieved and partly because you do not get the opportunity to notice that it was harmless.
Often one can see that the fears are learned indirectly by seeing how others behave, that when a child sees how frightened parents become when they find a snake. Another way to learn a fear may be through rules, like "do not go into the woods, there are so many dangerous snakes there".
Common Specific Phobia Symptoms
The victims are different anxiety symptoms. Anxiety symptoms are normal and basic warning system at all times helped man to avoid and escape dangerous situations. If the symptoms come in everyday situations that are not really dangerous, but "only" perceived as daunting, the reactions can lead to great suffering.
The
Specific Phobia symptoms can be divided into physiological, behavioral, cognitive and emotional:
- Physiological: increased heart rate, sweating, tremor, increased breathing, tightness, nausea, shortness of breath, etc..
- Behavioral: for example, to avoid or evade (escape) from the unpleasant.
- Random Thought: "I die", "spider will jump on me," "I will fall" and so on.
- Emotional: for example, fear, embarrassment, anger.
Gradually, the Specific Phobia symptoms can be very debilitating as it affected not "just" avoid the dreaded but also the interest associated with it, such as grass because there could be snakes in there. This can lead to the sufferer avoids some places, the outdoors or to holiday and so on.
How does the doctor / psychologist diagnosed?
The diagnosis of
Specific Phobia is based on specific criteria. The afflicted will, among other things, recognize that the fear is either excessive or unreasonable and endure the unpleasant during intense anxiety or avoid it completely.
To Diagnosis also requires that the problem causes marked distress or significantly interferes with daily routines and activities. Among children to the problem have been at least half a year.
Diagnosis is often by means of interview but also direct observation may be considered. There are also several questionnaires evaluated.
What can you do yourself?
Try as little as possible to avoid the unpleasant. Try instead to gradually get closer to the nasty.
How is specific phobia?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or behavioral therapy (BT) are the forms of
Specific Phobia treatment proven to achieve the best results. In conclusion, the treatment consists partly of exposure and partly by changing the thoughts stimulated by the phobic. Exposure (exposure to the unpleasant) to happen repeatedly, gradually and over time. It is important to first make a clear analysis of the problem so that treatment can be aligned to the relevant.
Various forms of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can help with panic attacks if they come at the phobia, but one should avoid addictive treatment. Psychotropic drugs does not seem to be able to provide long-term assistance in phobias. Medical treatment should not be used simultaneously with CBT or BT treatment.