Overcoming Specific Phobias: Understanding and Treatment Options

Specific phobias are characterized by extreme fear of objects or conditions that are not dangerous. They can lead to intense physical and psychological reactions, which impede day-to-day functioning.
 
At the NuView Treatment Center, we treat specific phobias with behavioral therapies and even medication. We believe that early diagnosis and treatment for specific phobias are highly necessary, otherwise they can last a lifetime.

What Is A Specific Phobia?

A specific phobia is an extreme and irrational fear of objects or conditions that pose little to no danger. This kind of intense fear leads to distress and avoidance. As a consequence, when a specific phobia goes untreated, it can hinder leading a functional and fulfilling life.

A specific phobia affects 3% to 15% of people worldwide. It is more common in women than in men. It tends to affect 8% of women and 3% of men every year.

What Are The Types Of Phobias?

Specific phobias can be of different types, and are as follows:

1. Situational Phobias –

   This type of specific phobia develops as a result of intense and irrational fear of specific situations. For instance, fear of enclosed spaces, like claustrophobia.

2. Natural and Environmental Phobias –

   This type of specific phobia pertains to natural or environmental conditions. For instance, fear of water, like aquaphobia.

3. Animal Phobias –

   This type of specific phobia is the fear of insects or animals. For instance, fear of insects, like entomophobia, or fear of snakes, like ophidiophobia.

4. Injury-Related Phobias –

   This type of specific phobia results from the threat of physical harm or injury. For instance, fear of injections, like trypanophobia.

5. Other Types of Phobias –

   These are specific phobias that do not fall into the other categories. For instance, fear of dolls or clowns.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Specific Phobias?

Specific phobia can be of different types, but there are some common symptoms of specific phobias. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, DSM-5-TR, lists these symptoms as follows:

• Extreme Fear –

  The person exhibits intense and unreasonable fear toward objects or conditions that do not pose any danger. It manifests in the form of a racing heart, shortness of breath, dry mouth, incoherent speech, sweating, dizziness, and so on.

• Disproportionate Fear –

  The fear response must be disproportionate to the threat or a lack thereof.

• Avoidance –

  The person goes out of their way to avoid any kind of contact with the object or circumstances lest they experience extreme distress.

• Reduced Quality of Life –

  The specific phobia hinders interpersonal life, academics, and even professional life.

What Are The Causes Of Specific Phobias?

The causes of specific phobia are not very well known, however, they are considered to be as follows:

• Brain Structure and Function –

  The brain structure and functioning of a person with a specific phobia are considered to be different from those without it, as the brain would not respond to an object or condition in the same manner.

• Genetics –

  A family history of specific phobias can increase the likelihood of a person developing a specific phobia.

• Learned Behavior –

  Behaviorists consider that a specific phobia is a learned behavior, an outcome of fear conditioning. It is when a person learns to link something naturally aversive with something otherwise neutral.

• Negative Experiences –

  A specific phobia can stem from a negative experience or a panic attack pertaining to an object or a condition. Sometimes, it can even happen if a person watches or listens to a negative experience.

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What Are The Risk Factors Of Specific Phobias?

The major risk factors for specific phobias are age, gender, and socioeconomic status.

• Age –

  Typically, a specific phobia develops among children below the age of 10 years. However, sometimes, it can develop later in life as well.

• Gender –

  Women are more prone to developing specific phobias than men are. Some types of specific phobias are common among women, especially specific phobias related to animals. Meanwhile, among men, specific phobias related to injuries are common among men.

• Socioeconomic Status –

  Certain types of specific phobias are more prevalent among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. These are mainly social phobias.

How Are Specific Phobias Diagnosed?

When it comes to the diagnosis of a specific phobia, it typically starts with a physical examination. It is mainly to rule out any other underlying medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

Once the physical examination is done and other underlying medical conditions are ruled out, the client is then referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist who will conduct a psychological evaluation and use assessment tools. For instance, they might inquire about specific phobia symptoms, consider family history, and so on.

The psychologist or psychiatrist will then diagnose a client with a specific phobia based on symptoms like excessive fear, disproportionate fear, avoidance, and reduced quality of life. Another thing about diagnosis is that the symptoms must be present for a duration of at least 6 months and must not be caused by other similar conditions like separation anxiety disorder.

Treatment for Specific Phobias

Treatment for specific phobias will include behavioral therapies and medication.

The most commonly used behavioral therapies are exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

With exposure therapy, it focuses on changing the fear response to a specific object or condition. The client will be gradually exposed to the object or condition of their phobia under safe conditions and will be provided with tools to manage their anxiety. For instance, if they fear flying, they might first be asked to think about it, then be exposed to images of an airplane, then be made to simply get into a plane, and then finally fly in a plane for a short distance.

With cognitive behavioral therapy, it involves observing how the client thinks of a specific object or condition and challenging their negative thoughts regarding the same. Then, it goes on to reshape these thoughts into something healthy and productive.

 

While psychotherapeutic interventions have high success rates in treating specific phobias, medication can also be used to manage the symptoms. They help reduce the anxiety and panic reaction to the specific object or conditions. Beta-blockers and sedatives are generally used in the treatment of specific phobias. 

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Our dedicated professional staff is here to design a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, guiding you or your loved one on the journey to lasting recovery.

(323) 307-7997

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a phobia and a fear?

Phobia and fear are often understood as synonymous to one another. However, fear is a proportional response to a threat, whereas phobia is an extreme and irrational response to an object or condition that poses little to no threat.

Is phobia a mental disorder?

Yes, specific phobia disorder is a mental health disorder. A type of anxiety disorder, to be more precise.