Phobia Symptoms, Classification and Treatment

Phobia is an intense and constant terror of an object or state. It is an anxiety ailment. The person makes all his efforts to avoid such situations which are more prone to risk and danger for him. And if he cannot overcome the situation, it causes distress and suffering. Certain phobias may also cause fainting and fear attacks. Phobias include fear of animals, water, height, blood, injury, darkness, fear of being tapped from the back or fear of being lonely, called monophobia, and claustrophobia causing deception in sealed spaces. These are specific phobias. The fear of crowds and public places. There are also phobias when the person does not want to interact with people. These are called social phobias. The cause of phobias arises from past situations or negative experiences. These phobias arise when he tries to relate the current situation with any previous same type of condition or that situation has threatened him in his childhood. The fear turns into aggression when no escape is workable. A person may become out of control or become angry. Mood swings often happen. Symptoms in children can be observed easily like crying, becoming clingy, and throwing tantrums. Certain phobias can also cause mental disorders, tension, or sadness.
                               
There are phobias similar to fear. Some phobias are more severe than normal fear sensations. They cause sweating and chest pains, butterflies in the stomach, nausea, dry throat, and headache. Phobias have nothing to do anything with age and gender. The average age to begin phobia is 10 years. They can happen at any stage of life. Phobias are curable. People close to us know of any phobias. So they always help us during such adversity and danger. Fear-related phobias are manageable but cause anxiety or pain and require the help of a professional. Doctors recommend certain therapies and meditations. They help in reducing nervousness and anxiety and help people to command their reactions. Women are twice prone to suffer as men. Scales grow lower as people become old. Some people who cannot control their phobias commit suicide.

Classification of Phobias.

1. Specific phobias

Fear from any living being, thing, or situation causes such phobia and this seldom can drive to panic attacks. This happens because of fear of any animal, situation, seeing blood, or injury. They happen due to terrifying experiences.

2. Agoraphobia 

In this type, people perceive their surroundings to be unsafe with no way to escape. This can happen in an open place like a shopping mall, park or garden, or anyplace away from home. People find it very uncomfortable to leave their homes because their fear becomes so pandemic and terrifying.

3. Social phobia

This arises when people are bothered about being judged by society. They fear performing any task in front of other people with the fear they will become embarrassed and fear speaking in public and are frightened to coincide with new people.

These causes nausea, feelings of pain, fall of breath. The effects of these are very dangerous. People isolate themselves, they don't want to face anyone, work abruptly in daily life, and find difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships. They fail in school or college and if they are working cannot sustain a bond with their colleagues. Constantly get threatened by an unwanted suspicion. They suffer from drunkenness and severe addiction or drugs to get away from this condition, consequently venturing their life and causing heart problems. Traumas like the death of the dear one, fighting between parents, divorce, illness, or significant life events that fit in their minds and they are unlikely to overcome these circumstances. Some people often mistake you due to your behavior because they may not know of your problem. If not cured, and suppress or avoid, it can worsen the quality of life and cause serious hazards.

Treatment

1. Medication

Antidepressants can help to make people calm for delicate and sensitive reactions. Apart from this, a psychologist is needed to help people cope with the situation. They also impact your moods. Causes a sudden change in desire and mood fluctuations.

2. Cognitive-behavioral therapy

It focuses on distinguishing and recognizing symptoms. It allows the patient to confront abnormal thoughts and feelings, assuring him that his fear is unreasonable and baseless. Such treatments take a longer time to work. They are both effective for adults and kids. They help in increasing confidence, decreasing negative thinking and problem solving, and improving your social connections.

3. Family support

Apart from medical treatment, constant support is also needed from family, friends, and colleagues. During this phase, the person needs help from peers. Their care and encouragement can help them manage stress and troublesome situations.