Fears `n` Phobias

There is something all people have in common to varying degrees, that is Fear or Phobias in extreme cases!

For most people, these fears are minor. But for some, these fears are so severe that they cause tremendous anxiety and can interfere with normal day-to-day life.

When these fears are irrational and severe, they are called phobias. If you’re living in fear because of your phobia, take hope. You can overcome phobias and fears with the right treatment and self-help strategies.

Common Phobias and Fears

• Fear of needles and injections
• Fear of public speaking
• Fear of flying
• Fear of germs
• Fear of illness or death
• Fear of snakes
• Fear of heights
• Fear or closed spaces
• Fear of storms

And the list goes on & on…………………

Don’t wait to seek help. Help yourself to overcome your fears and anxieties, Start right here!

What is Fear?

When we feel fearful, we believe we do not have the ability to cope with something. This fear may be grounded in reality, as when we fear being knocked over by a car. Or the fear may be irrational as when we fear a tiny harmless spider.
Many of our fears are a mix of reality and misinterpretation of our ability to cope. When there is a large degree of of
misinterpretation it is likely that it is a phobia rather than a fear.

What is a phobia?

The essential ingredient of a phobia is that it has significant degree of irrationality. The person experiencing the phobic
feelings is usually well aware that their fear is irrational but they are unable to overcome the fear.

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Fear is one type of emotion that can impacts one’s life significantly. Animals and humans alike have this emotional response based on any events in their environment that poses danger, whether physical, mental, or emotional. Indeed, fear takes on different forms, However, the effect that fear has on a person is important because it can potentially alter one’s life and how he or she deals with the environment. How do you know when you feel fear?

Whatever causes your fear, these  are some of the signs listed below:

•    Increase in heart rate and blood pressure

•    Tightened muscles

•    Inability to focus your senses

•    Dilated pupils

•    Intense Sweating

These symptoms result from the body’s natural reaction to threat, with preparations for fight or flight!

Different Forms of Fear

Fear comes in various forms. And yet, its effects are can be devastating to the person involved. There are various triggers for these fears but all have the potential to impact a persons ability to think clearly and respond to situations logically.

Below is a list of some of the different forms of fears:

•    Places: crowds, enclosed places, below ground, or heights

•    Animals: rats, snakes, mice, spiders, etc

•    People: strangers, homosexuals, feeling over-responsible for others, talking to groups of people, etc

•    Events: war, crime, public speaking, etc

•    Family member/loved ones: death of family member, getting ill

•    Disaster: hurricane, lightening, injury or pain, blood, death, earthquake, etc

•    Other people’s reactions or responses: rejection, disapproval, being humiliated, being ignored, insecurity

•    Feelings about one’s self: taking the leadership role, speaking to a large crowd, stage fright, embarassing yourself

There are many more different categories of fear that is experienced by people, hence people response differently. Some are able to use that fear they experience in order to sharpen their responses to a given situation. Others, however, do not have control over the level of fear they are experiencing, which often leads to panicking.

Negative Impacts of Fear and Phobias

Fear is not always negative, provided that you learn how to deal with the feeling of fear, yet it can be potentially
dangerous when the feeling of fear has become really extreme. Therefore, it is important that you are able to understand where fear is coming from and deal with it logically. If not, it can lead to you making irrational responses on the situation at hand.

Such as the following:

•    Inability to make clear and logical decisions.
•    Prevents your ability to trust in your surroundings and people, crucial in your own growth and development.
•    Brings about fear of change due to the uncertainty of events, even though the situation requires it.
•    Results to resistance of help from others.
•    It confines you and unable you to explore opportunities that come your way.
•    You become unmotivated to pursue your dreams.
•    Tendency to exhibit self-destructive behavior.

Confronting Your Fears

Before you even think about overcoming your fears, confronting them is the first step. You start off by recognizing your fear. If you have several types of fears, then they can be ranked according to their intensity. That way, you will be able to recognize which fear needs to be attended to the most, as it can also produce the most negative impact to you.

The best way to get yourself to confront your fears is realizing what you can get once you have let go of these fears. The
lack of such fears in your life will motivate you to take steps to rid yourself of it. Whether it’s regaining control over
your life or improving your own self image, losing that fear will help boost your confidence about yourself and the world so you can become a better individual.

Overcoming Fears

The most effective means to overcoming your fears is to change your perspective and behavior towards it. Since it is not easy to do, you need to keep yourself motivated in order to live life free of fears. The first step is identification of fear, which is closely tied with the step of confronting your fear. Then, honestly assess the extent of your fear. This is the only way that you can logically come up with methods that can reduce or eliminate the fear you are experiencing.

When you encounter a stimuli that could potentially trigger the feeling of fear, think of ways to release tension and keep yourself in a relaxed state. This is important since once you have acknowledged fear, it can quickly consume and overtake you. If possible, get support from your friends or family, to provide assistance in conquering your fears.
Lastly, this is a long-term procedure and you cannot expect to get rid of your fears overnight.