False msafiri WELLBEING 102 WHat is a phobia? A phobia is a persistent, irrational fear of an object or situation that would not normally worry the majority of people. Sufferers have an overwhelming need to avoid any contact with the cause of anxiety. Sometimes even the thought of confronting the fear can induce feelings of anxiety or panic. Phobias manifest themselves in many different ways. They can range from a fear of a specific object, such as a spider, mouse or inanimate object, to an extreme fear of embarrassment in a public setting – a debilitating condition known as social phobia. Other phobias include a fear of certain situations, such as flying or enclosed spaces. Mice, rats, birds and insects can also trigger phobias – and the list even extends to a fear of toilets or buttons. One of the most common ‘ complex’ phobias is agoraphobia. Although less prevalent than so- called ‘ simple’ phobias such as a fear of an object or animal, 60% of people who see a psychiatrist for help with phobias have this condition. Agoraphobia can be linked to depression and panic attacks, and sufferers may also have other phobias. There are many theories about the origins of phobias. One is that they run in families – though how much is inherited through your genes and how much is culturally acquired is unclear. It seems likely that genetic inheritance plays a significantly lesser role. Phobias can also be triggered by traumatic and stressful life events, such as divorce or bereavement. Another theory is that phobias are an exaggeration of the natural fear response that all children and babies have as a survival instinct. Helping yourself The good news is that phobia sufferers can do much to help themselves. Chris Smith, Harley Street hypnotherapist, says a phobia is a learnt behaviour arising from a deep- seated response. “ All phobias are curable,” he says. “ Just as people with phobias have learnt their particular fear, they can be taught to un- learn their response.” Usually a client seeks help for a phobia for two Facing your Misunderstood and even dismissed, phobias can have far- reaching effects on sufferers. And yet in many cases there is much that can be done to overcome them, says Lucia Cockcroft reasons, Smith explains. “ Either the person is sick and tired of being sick and tired – or the condition is stopping them doing things and has become unbearable. So if there is a fear of flying, the scope to travel is very limited.” Smith draws a distinction between what he refers to as ‘ flaming’ phobias and being simply ‘ phobic’. A so- called flaming phobia sufferer will be debilitated by their situation. “ Someone who is a flaming phobic about spiders,” says Smith, “ would not be able to even hear the word spider or look at a book with a spider in it.” A phobic person, on the other hand, will tolerate hearing about their fear, or seeing it in a book – the degree of fear and suffering is less. MICE, RATS, BIRDS AND INSECTS CAN TRIGER PHOBIAS – AND THE LIST EVEN EXTENDS TO A FEAR OF TOILETS OR BUTTONS

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