Androphobia – Symptoms and Causes of Androphobia – Treatment Genetics Treatment of Androphobia As with most phobias, studies are still being conducted in order to pinpoint exact causes. Though studies are still in their infancy, psychiatrists do their best to tailor treatments to each specific case through trial and error. One of the most important aspects when treating Androphobia is being comfortable and at ease with what the counselor is doing. As many times phobias can lead to full-blown panic attacks , discomfort can be detrimental to the healing process. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is one form of treatment for Androphobia, which has shown positive and effective results. NLP is based around the idea that all behaviors are structured. By helping Androphobic patients to reprogram these behaviors, psychiatrists say it is possible to help patients manage, if not dissipate, their phobia through reprogramming the way the brain reacts to men. Hypnotherapy has also shown positive results in treating Androphobia. Hypnotherapy takes place with a therapist first putting their patient into a trance-like state. By relaxing the patient, the therapist attempts to bypass the “logical” part of the brain in order to reprogram the subconscious mind.

Androphobia can be crippling, but there is always help. Any number of counselors can help in controlling or even overcoming phobias, giving suffers a new way to leave their lives. With the number of treatment methods available almost every case can be helped, all anyone has to do is ask. View Resources CTRN: Change That's Right Now | Online Test How bad are your symptoms of androphobia ? A. The symptoms are really bad and I have used drugs B. The symptoms are really bad but I've avoided using meds C. The symptoms are uncomfortable and I've used drugs D. The symptoms are uncomfortable but I've not used meds E. I don't really experience significant symptoms Do you dramatize situations involving men in your mind… Do you see pictures or movies, or hear self-talk or other dialog in your mind? A. Yes, all the time and the feelings are powerful B. Sometimes and the feelings are bad when I do C. Sometimes, but the feelings aren't that bad D. A little E. Never To what degree has this issue impacted your relationship with your family, friends & co-workers. Do you find it difficult to explain what you are going through, or even keep it a secret? A.

Extreme impact on relationships B. Significant impact C. It has made things difficult at times D. A little, not too bad E. None Overall, when you think about the impact this is having in your life how bad is the problem? A. It's ruining my life B. It has considerable impact and has to be dealt with C. Life would be alot better without androphobia D. Its not great but I'm OK E. No impact really In our experience, clients who overcome this experience benefits in many areas of their lives, not just in situations that used to make them androphobic. Even if you were only to get rid of androphobia, how much better would things be? A. Dramatically better. This will be a huge change for me B. A very big improvement C. A significant relief. Androphobic situations are very uncomfortable for me D. Better E. It wouldn't really make much difference You have finished the quiz. Erythrophobia – Symptoms and Causes of Erythrophobia – Treatment of Erythrophobia Share your stories and support others... Erythrophobia Tweet To blush, or become red in the face, is a common occurrence that happens to nearly everyone.

Sure, it’s an uncomfortable feeling that’s often associated with an embarrassing moment, but for some people, it’s more than just an uncomfortable feeling. Some people have an actual fear, or phobia , of blushing and it’s called erythrophobia. Those that suffer from this phobia aren’t afraid of the actual act of blushing, they are afraid of all the thoughts, feelings and emotions that are associated with it. The feelings of embarrassment associated with blushing and the inability to control when and how much you blush are the basis of erythrophobia. A person who can’t control their blushing is in fear of what others think of them. Erythrophobia can also be associated with excessive sweating. So, blushing combined with excessive sweating can cause a person with erythrophobia to avoid social situations at all costs. Also, the anxiety caused by erythrophobia can manifest itself into actual physical symptoms. Symptoms of Erythrophobia Difficulty breathing Causes of Erythrophobia The cause of erythrophobia is fairly unknown and since every individual is different, the cause varies for each person. Some experts attribute uncontrollable blushing to a failure on some basic level of the sympathetic nervous system.

Erythrophobia can also be the result of low self-esteem or social anxiety . For example, people with low self-esteem are more easily embarrassed; therefore they are more likely to blush more often. Erythrophobia can have many negative effects on a person’s life. It can cause great stress and anxiety and can cause a person to avoid social situations all together, leading to social isolation. Treatment of Erythrophobia Treatment of erythrophobia include medications available that can help fight this phobia. Also, there is a surgery that a person with erythrophobia can undergo. This surgery cuts off sympathetic nerve responses that are responsible for controlling blushing. Although invasive, this surgery can be effective. While surgery and medication can work, a person who suffers from erythrophobia still suffers the fear of blushing and what others think. This is why it’s important to seek therapy as well. Therapy can help a person get over the mental fears associated with blushing. The most common type of therapy used to treat erythrophobia is behavioral therapy . Erythrophobia can be debilitating and can cause great stress and anxiety in a person’s life, which is why it’s important to seek professional help.

Realizing that you suffer from this phobia is the first step to recovery. A professional psychologist or psychiatrist can help you better understand yourself, overcome you fears, conquer the phobia and help you start living again. View Resources: What's Your Biggest Fear? Phobias See the complete gallery of slideshows. What Is a Phobia? Phobias are irrational fears of an activity, situation, or thing. The fear is so bad it limits a person's activities and life. Many people with phobias will go out of their way to avoid the things they fear. An estimated 6 million people in the U.S. suffer from phobias. Women are twice as likely to suffer from them as men. It's estimated that up to 28% of people suffer from phobias. The percent of the population who suffers from a phobia is estimated to be 7% to 13% in western countries. Phobias are likely underreported. The true number of people suffering from phobias is likely much higher. What Are the Different Types of Phobias? The fear associated with a phobia is much greater than that caused by stress or worry. Phobias cause extreme fear.

There are many different types of phobias. It's possible to be afraid of certain situations, animals, and social interactions. When someone is afraid of a certain object or item they are said to suffer from a specific phobia. The list of different types of phobias is endless. The following slides contain information about the most common phobias. Social Phobia Social phobia is an extreme fear of social situations such as speaking in public and interacting with others. The fear can be so extreme it can affect one's relationships with friends, family, and work colleagues. People with social phobia are terrified of being embarrassed in social situations. Social phobia is also sometimes called social anxiety disorder. Agoraphobia People who suffer from agoraphobia have excessive fear of being in open spaces or being anywhere from which they could not easily leave. Those with agoraphobia often worry about help not being available to them or about being embarrassed in front of others. There are many underlying causes of agoraphobia, but it appears to have a genetic component and it can run in families. Claustrophobia Claustrophobia, a common phobia, is the fear of enclosed spaces or being trapped.

People with claustrophobia may be afraid of being in confined areas such as tunnels or elevators. Zoophobia Zoophobia is a fear of animals and insects. The phobia may refer to fear of bees (apiphobia), spiders (arachnophobia), birds (ornithophobia), snakes (arachnophobia), and other types of critters. Acrophobia The fear of heights is known as acrophobia. Even though there is no real threat from heights, people experience severe anxiety. Aerophobia The fear of flying is called aerophobia. Those who have lost a family member in a plane crash or who have witnessed a plane crash or accident may develop the phobia, but others who have never experienced trauma while flying may still experience aerophobia. The phobia persists even though flying is very safe. Blood-Injection-Injury Phobias Blood-injection-injury are phobias that encompass the fear of blood, injury, and getting an injection or undergoing an invasive medical procedure. Blood phobia is known as hemophobia. The fear of getting an injection is called aichmophobia or trypanophobia. What Are the Effects of Phobias?

Untreated, phobias can significantly interfere with one's ability to function and enjoy life. People with phobias may experience problems at work, school, and with family and friends. Phobias may get better for short periods of time, but they don't typically resolve without treatment. Phobias may go hand-in-hand with alcoholism. Those who struggle with alcoholism are up to 10 times more likely to have a phobia compared to those who don't struggle with alcoholism. And people who have phobias are up to twice as likely to be alcoholics compared to those who do not have phobias. What Are the Causes and Risk Factors for Phobias? A variety of factors contribute to the development of phobias. Genes, cultural influences, and traumatic events can all contribute to phobias. Someone who has an immediate relative with a phobia is about three times more likely to suffer from a phobia than someone who does not have a similar family history. People with phobias try to manage stress by avoiding things they are afraid of. They may also find it difficult to minimize the intensity of fearful or stimulating situations, which reinforces the phobia. What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Phobias?

Phobia symptoms may include panic, terror, dread, rapid or irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, sweating, feelings of wanting to escape or flee, and trembling. People with phobias often know their fears are out of proportion to any actual threat or danger. It's not uncommon for someone who has a phobia to go to extreme lengths to avoid or flee from a phobic situation. How Are Phobias Diagnosed? A variety of healthcare professionals may diagnose phobias, including social workers, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and even primary-care professionals. Both physical and psychological symptoms are assessed. The doctor will rule out potential physical causes for the symptoms. Phobias often occur along with other anxiety disorders. Anxiety may be a feature of other medical conditions or occur as a side effect due to the use of certain medications. The doctor may order lab tests to explore other potential causes of symptoms. How Are Phobias Treated? Desensitization therapy is a treatment for phobias that involves gradually exposing a phobic person to what he or she is afraid of until the situation or thing no longer produces fear.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment that involves examining and changing underlying thoughts and behaviors that contribute to unwanted symptoms. CBT is an effective treatment for phobias. CBT has three components: Didactic component: During this phase, the treatment professional outlines expectations for therapy and encourages the patient to cooperate with the treatment. Cognitive component: In this phase, the treatment professional helps the patient uncover thoughts and assumptions that play a key role in producing phobic behavior. Behavioral component: This phase of treatment involves teaching the patient behavior-modification techniques to help him or her face phobic situations more effectively. What Medications Treat Phobias? Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be used to treat phobias. Sometimes medications are used alone or along with another treatment such as desensitization therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram (Celexa) are examples of SSRIs. Beta-blockers are medications that counteract the effect of adrenaline in the body.

These medications may be used to treat phobias. Propranolol (Inderal) is one kind of beta-blocker. Benzodiazepines are another class of medication that may be used to treat phobias. These medications promote relaxation, but they are highly addictive and overdose may be associated with very serious consequences. Mixing alcohol with benzodiazepines can be deadly. For these reasons, benzodiazepines are not frequently used to treat phobias. Medications in this class include clonazepam (Klonopin), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium). Where Can People Get Information and Help for Phobias? If you or a loved one suffers from a phobia, the following organizations can help. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides education and advocacy for mental health issues. NAMI also offers support groups, online discussion groups, and listings for state and local NAMI chapters. MentalHealth.gov offers education and a helpful treatment locator to help you find mental health services and resources in your area. Additional resources are listed on this slide.

Stay Informed Get the latest health and medical information delivered direct to your inbox! Plus receive a free PDF Health Report when you sign up! More Reading on Phobias Hydrophobia. Do You Suffer From Hydrophobia? [ ? ]Subscribe To This Site Best Technique To Get Rid Of Hydrophobia Hydrophobia is the other name for fear of water or you can say fear of swimming even. When talking about fear of water it does not mean a bucket of water. It usually means fear of getting drowned in deep water conditions. Aquaphobia is however the other way of referring to this type of phobia. This particular fear form can make you go out of control or it may also cause disturbance in your daily life. The worst part is that victims of aquaphobia experience levels of anxiety when they see an ocean, a river, a pond or even a bathtub full of water knowing jolly well that there is really nothing to be so much afraid of. The condition is such that the sufferers cannot help themselves from being afraid. A victim of aquaphobia always tries to avoid activities like boating and swimming. They even refuse to have baths and showers at home.

Causes of Hydrophobia Hydrophobia as it is commonly known is caused either due to individual experiences or due to biological factors. You may have seen someone drowning or may have gone through similar experiences in life and this has caused the phobia. Some have the feeling that once they are in the water they may lose breath and get drowned. You may come across people who will tell you that they dream of being drowned at night. They just cannot stand the sight of water. They develop the insanity in their behavior. Symptoms You are afraid to face reality in life You may experience full blown anxiety attack How To Treat Hydrophobia Treatments are several but not all of them are so effective. Success rates differ a lot. Some of the treatments do come with side effects too. Thus, it becomes very difficult for you to get rid of the situation. Some doctors may recommend you to have medicines to get rid of the condition, but medicines are temporary solutions. They can only subside the illness but can never cure it from the root. Best Technique To Get Rid Of Hydrophobia We know from NLP that the root of a phobia is an erroneous assemblage of your mental codes.

NLP is a set of methods that have been refined and tested over several decades with hundreds of thousands of patients in many countries – and it’s been effective time and time again. The basis of the method is pretty simple. NLP uses the power of imagination to reprogram your fear reactions through quick, painless, and long-lasting techniques. That is how NLP differs from other methods. NLP attacks the problem at the source and takes care of it for good. My Phobia Release Program teaches these well-established NLP techniques that are proven and effective. Medication, talk-therapy, and cognitive behaviour therapy only treat the symptoms. NLP cures the problem. There is a huge difference. You actually cure yourself by going into your unconscious mind and rearranging these mental codes. Your Hydrophobia will be gone forever! Fast and easy. Tired of Tiptoeing Around Your Fears? Cure Your Phobia In Just 10 Minutes A Day, Guaranteed! Whatever your phobia, regardless of how long you have suffered from it, despite the dreadful life limitations you have endured because of your fear, your phobia can be cured.

Phobias and Irrational Fears: Symptoms, Treatment, and Self-Help for Overcoming Your Anxiety and Fear Phobias and Irrational Fears Symptoms, Treatment, and Self-Help for Overcoming Your Anxiety and Fear Almost everyone has an irrational fear or two—of mice, for example, or your annual dental checkup. For most people, these fears are minor. But when fears become so severe that they cause tremendous anxiety and interfere with your normal life, they’re called phobias. The good news is that phobias can be managed and cured. Self-help strategies and therapy can help you overcome your fears and start living the life you want. What you can do Work with one fear at a time Learn to calm down quickly using your senses Learn and practice a variety of relaxation techniques With the aid of meditation focus on the present rather than the past or future Challenge negative thinking Learn more by reading the related articles What is a phobia? A phobia is an intense fear of something that, in reality, poses little or no actual danger. Common phobias and fears include closed-in places, heights, highway driving, flying insects, snakes, and needles. However, we can develop phobias of virtually anything.

Most phobias develop in childhood, but they can also develop in adults. If you have a phobia, you probably realize that your fear is irrational, yet you still can’t control your feelings. Just thinking about the feared object or situation may make you anxious. And when you’re actually exposed to the thing you fear, the terror is automatic and overwhelming. The experience is so nerve-wracking that you may go to great lengths to avoid it—inconveniencing yourself or even changing your lifestyle. If you have claustrophobia, for example, you might turn down a lucrative job offer if you have to ride the elevator to get to the office. If you have a fear of heights, you might drive an extra 20 miles in order to avoid a tall bridge. Understanding your phobia is the first step to overcoming it. It’s important to know that phobias are common. (Having a phobia doesn’t mean you’re crazy!) It also helps to know that phobias are highly treatable. You can overcome your anxiety and fear, no matter how out of control it feels. Barbara’s fear of flying Barbara is terrified of flying.

Unfortunately, she has to travel a lot for work, and this traveling takes a terrible toll. For weeks before every trip, she has a knot in her stomach and a feeling of anxiety that won’t go away. On the day of the flight, she wakes up feeling like she’s going to throw up. Once she’s on the plane, her heart pounds, she feels lightheaded, and she starts to hyperventilate. It gets worse and worse with every flight. Barbara’s fear of flying has gotten so bad that she finally told her boss she can only travel to places within driving distance. Her boss was not happy about this, and Barbara’s not sure what will happen at work. She’s afraid she’ll be demoted or lose her job altogether. But better that, she tells herself, than getting on a plane again. “Normal” fears vs. phobias or “irrational” fears It is normal and even helpful to experience fear in dangerous situations. Fear is an adaptive human response. It serves a protective purpose, activating the automatic “fight-or-flight” response. With our bodies and minds alert and ready for action, we are able to respond quickly and protect ourselves.

But with phobias the threat is greatly exaggerated or nonexistent. For example, it is only natural to be afraid of a snarling Doberman, but it is irrational to be terrified of a friendly poodle on a leash, as you might be if you have a dog phobia. The difference between normal fear and a phobia Normal fear Phobia Feeling anxious when flying through turbulence or taking off during a storm Not going to your best friend’s island wedding because you’d have to fly there Experiencing butterflies when peering down from the top of a skyscraper or climbing a tall ladder Turning down a great job because it’s on the 10th floor of the office building Getting nervous when you see a pit bull or a Rottweiler Steering clear of the park because you might see a dog Feeling a little queasy when getting a shot or when your blood is being drawn Avoiding necessary medical treatments or doctor’s checkups because you’re terrified of needles Normal fears in children Many childhood fears are natural and tend to develop at specific ages. For example, many young children are afraid of the dark and may need a nightlight to sleep. That doesn’t mean they have a phobia.

In most cases, they will grow out of this fear as they get older. If your child’s fear is not interfering with his or her daily life or causing him or her a great deal of distress, then there’s little cause for undue concern. However, if the fear is interfering with your child’s social activities, school performance, or sleep, you may want to see a qualified child therapist. Which of my child’s fears are normal? According to the Child Anxiety Network, the following fears are extremely common and considered normal: 0-2 years – Loud noises, strangers, separation from parents, large objects. 3-6 years – Imaginary things such as ghosts, monsters, the dark, sleeping alone, strange noises. 7-16 years – More realistic fears such as injury, illness, school performance, death, natural disasters. Common types of phobias and fears There are four general types of phobias and fears: Animal phobias. Examples include the fear of snakes, spiders, rodents, and dogs. Natural environment phobias. Examples include fear of heights, storms, water, and of the dark. Situational phobias (fears triggered by a specific situation).

Examples include fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), flying, driving, tunnels, and bridges. Blood-Injection-Injury phobia. This is the fear of blood, injury, illness, needles, or other medical procedures. Some phobias don’t fall into one of the four common categories. Such phobias include fear of choking, fear of getting a disease such as cancer, and fear of clowns. Social phobia and fear of public speaking Social phobia , also called social anxiety disorder, is fear of social situations where you may be embarrassed or judged. If you have social phobia, then you may be excessively self-conscious and afraid of humiliating yourself in front of others. Your anxiety over how you will look and what others will think may lead you to avoid certain social situations you’d otherwise enjoy. Fear of public speaking—an extremely common phobia—is a type of social phobia. Other fears associated with social phobia include fear of eating or drinking in public, talking to strangers, taking exams, mingling at a party, and being called on in class. Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) Agoraphobia is another phobia that doesn’t fit neatly into any of the four categories.

Traditionally thought to involve a fear of public places and open spaces, it is now believed that agoraphobia develops as a complication of panic attacks . Afraid of having another panic attack, you become anxious about being in situations where escape would be difficult or embarrassing, or where help wouldn't be immediately available. For example, you are likely to avoid crowded places such as shopping malls and movie theaters. You may also avoid cars, airplanes, subways, and other forms of travel. In more severe cases, you might only feel safe at home. Signs and symptoms of phobias The symptoms of a phobia can range from mild feelings of apprehension and anxiety to a full-blown panic attack. Typically, the closer you are to the thing you’re afraid of, the greater your fear will be. Your fear will also be higher if getting away is difficult.

Physical symptoms of a phobia Difficulty breathing Emotional symptoms of a phobia Feeling overwhelming anxiety or panic Feeling intense need to escape Feeling "unreal" or detached from yourself Fear of losing control or going crazy Feeling like you're going to die or pass out Knowing that you're overreacting, but feeling powerless to control fear Symptoms of blood-injection-injury phobia The symptoms of blood-injection-injury phobia are slightly different from other phobias. When confronted with the sight of blood or a needle, you experience not only fear, but also disgust. Like other phobias, you initially feel anxious as your heart speeds up. However, unlike other phobias, this acceleration is followed by a quick drop in blood pressure, which leads to nausea, dizziness, and fainting. Although a fear of fainting is common in all specific phobias, blood-injection-injury phobia is the only phobia where fainting can actually occur. When to seek help for phobias and fears Although phobias are common, they don’t always cause considerable distress or significantly disrupt your life.

For example, if you have a snake phobia, it may cause no problems in your everyday activities if you live in a city where you are not likely to run into one. On the other hand, if you have a severe phobia of crowded spaces, living in a big city would pose a problem. If your phobia doesn’t really impact your life that much, it’s probably nothing to be concerned about. But if avoidance of the object, activity, or situation that triggers your phobia interferes with your normal functioning, or keeps you from doing things you would otherwise enjoy, it’s time to seek help. Consider treatment for your phobia if: It causes intense and disabling fear, anxiety, and panic You recognize that your fear is excessive and unreasonable You avoid certain situations and places because of your phobia Your avoidance interferes with your normal routine or causes significant distress You’ve had the phobia for at least six months Self-help or therapy for phobias: which is best? When it comes to treating phobias, self-help strategies and therapy can both be effective. What’s best for you depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your phobia, your insurance coverage, and the amount of support you need.

As a general rule, self-help is always worth a try. The more you can do for yourself, the more in control you’ll feel—which goes a long way when it comes to phobias and fears. However, if your phobia is so severe that it triggers panic attacks or uncontrollable anxiety, you may want to get additional support. The good news is that therapy for phobias has a great track record. Not only does it work extremely well, but you tend to see results very quickly—sometimes in as a little as one to four sessions. However, support doesn’t have to come in the guise of a professional therapist. Just having someone to hold your hand or stand by your side as you face your fears can be extraordinarily helpful. Tip 1: Face your fears, one step at a time It’s only natural to want to avoid the thing or situation you fear. But when it comes to conquering phobias, facing your fears is the key. While avoidance may make you feel better in the short-term, it prevents you from learning that your phobia may not be as frightening or overwhelming as you think. You never get the chance to learn how to cope with your fears and experience control over the situation.

As a result, the phobia becomes increasingly scarier and more daunting in your mind. Exposure The most effective way to overcome a phobia is by gradually and repeatedly exposing yourself to what you fear in a safe and controlled way. During this exposure process, you’ll learn to ride out the anxiety and fear until it inevitably passes. Through repeated experiences facing your fear, you’ll begin to realize that the worst isn’t going to happen; you’re not going to die or "lose it." With each exposure, you’ll feel more confident and in control. The phobia begins to lose its power. Successfully facing your fears takes planning, practice, and patience. The following tips will help you get the most out of the exposure process. Climbing up the “fear ladder” If you’ve tried exposure in the past and it didn’t work, you may have started with something too scary or overwhelming. It’s important to begin with a situation that you can handle, and work your way up from there, building your confidence and coping skills as you move up the “fear ladder.” Facing a fear of dogs: A sample fear ladder Step 1: Look at pictures of dogs. Step 2: Watch a video with dogs in it.

Step 3: Look at a dog through a window. Step 4: Stand across the street from a dog on a leash. Step 5: Stand 10 feet away from a dog on a leash. Step 6: Stand five feet away from a dog on a leash. Step 7: Stand beside a dog on a leash. Step 8: Pet a small dog that someone is holding. Step 9: Pet a larger dog on a leash. Step 10: Pet a larger dog off leash. Make a list. Make a list of the frightening situations related to your phobia. If you’re afraid of flying, your list (in addition to the obvious, such as taking a flight or getting through takeoff) might include booking your ticket, packing your suitcase, driving to the airport, watching planes take off and land, going through security, boarding the plane, and listening to the flight attendant present the safety instructions. Build your fear ladder. Arrange the items on your list from the least scary to the most scary. The first step should make you slightly anxious, but not so frightened that you’re too intimidated to try it.

When creating the ladder, it can be helpful to think about your end goal (for example, to be able to be near dogs without panicking) and then break down the steps needed to reach that goal. Work your way up the ladder. Start with the first step (in this example, looking at pictures of dogs) and don’t move on until you start to feel more comfortable doing it. If at all possible, stay in the situation long enough for your anxiety to decrease. The longer you expose yourself to the thing you’re afraid of, the more you’ll get used to it and the less anxious you’ll feel when you face it the next time. If the situation itself is short (for example, crossing a bridge), do it over and over again until your anxiety starts to lessen. Once you’ve done a step on several separate occasions without feeling too much anxiety, you can move on to the next step. If a step is too hard, break it down into smaller steps or go slower. Practice. It’s important to practice regularly. The more often you practice, the quicker your progress will be. However, don’t rush. Go at a pace that you can manage without feeling overwhelmed.

And remember: you will feel uncomfortable and anxious as you face your fears, but the feelings are only temporary. If you stick with it, the anxiety will fade. Your fears won’t hurt you. If you start to feel overwhelmed… While it’s natural to feel scared or anxious as you face your phobia, if you start to feel overwhelmed, immediately back off and use the techniques outlined below to quickly calm your nervous system. Tip 2: Learn to calm down quickly When you’re afraid or anxious, you experience a variety of uncomfortable physical symptoms, such as a racing heart and a suffocating feeling. These physical sensations can be frightening themselves—and a large part of what makes your phobia so distressing. However, by learning how to calm yourself down quickly, you can become more confident in your ability to tolerate uncomfortable sensations and face your fears. Socially interacting face-to-face with someone you trust is the quickest way to calm your nervous system and diffuse anxiety. When you don’t have a friend close by to lean on, though, you can quickly self-soothe by making use of one or more of your physical senses: Movement – Go for a walk, jump up and down, or gently stretch.

Dancing, drumming, and running can be especially effective at relieving anxiety. Sight – Look at anything that relaxes you or makes you smile: a beautiful view, family photos, cat pictures on the Internet. Sound – Listen to soothing music, sing a favorite tune, or play a musical instrument. Or enjoy the relaxing sounds of nature (either live or recorded): ocean waves, wind through the trees, birds singing. Smell – Light scented candles. Smell the flowers in a garden. Breathe in the clean, fresh air. Spritz on your favorite perfume. Taste – Slowly eat a favorite treat, savoring each bite. Sip a hot cup of coffee or herbal tea. Chew on a stick of gum. Enjoy a mint or your favorite hard candy. Touch – Give yourself a hand or neck massage. Cuddle with a pet. Wrap yourself in a soft blanket. Sit outside in the cool breeze. Tip 3: Practice relaxation techniques Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation are powerful antidotes to anxiety, panic, and fear. With regular practice, they can improve your ability to control the physical symptoms of anxiety, which will make facing your phobia less intimidating.

Relaxation techniques will also help you cope more effectively with other sources of stress and anxiety in your life. A simple deep breathing exercise When you’re anxious, you tend to take quick, shallow breaths (also known as hyperventilating), which actually adds to the physical feelings of anxiety. By breathing deeply from the abdomen, you can reverse these physical sensations. You can’t be upset when you’re breathing slowly, deeply, and quietly. Within a few short minutes of deep breathing, you’ll feel less tense, short of breath, and anxious. You don’t need to feel anxious to practice this technique. In fact, it’s best to practice when you’re feeling calm until you’re familiar and comfortable with the exercise. Sit or stand comfortably with your back straight. Put one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Take a slow breath in through your nose, counting to four. The hand on your stomach should rise. The hand on your chest should move very little. Hold your breath for a count of seven. Exhale through your mouth to a count of eight, pushing out as much air as you can while contracting your abdominal muscles.

The hand on your stomach should move in as you exhale, but your other hand should move very little. Inhale again, repeating the cycle until you feel relaxed and centered. Practice this deep breathing technique for five minutes twice day. Once you’re comfortable with technique, you can start to use it when you’re facing your phobia or in other stressful situations. Meditation for stress and anxiety relief Meditation is a relaxation technique that can help to prevent anxiety—and it can actually change your brain as well. With regular practice, meditation boosts activity in the area of the brain responsible for feelings of serenity, helping to quell fear and panic before they strike. Try the Ride the Wild Horse meditation, part of HelpGuide’s free EQ toolkit . Tip 4: Challenge negative thoughts Learning to challenge unhelpful thoughts is an important step in overcoming your phobia. When you have a phobia, you tend to overestimate how bad it will be if you’re exposed to the situation you fear. At the same time, you underestimate your ability to cope. The anxious thoughts that trigger and fuel phobias are usually negative and unrealistic. It can help to put these thoughts to the test.

Begin by writing down any negative thoughts you have when confronted with your phobia. Many times, these thoughts fall into the following categories: Fortune telling. For example, “This bridge is going to collapse;” “I’ll make a fool of myself for sure;” “I will definitely lose it when the elevator doors close.” Overgeneralization. “I fainted once while getting a shot. I’ll never be able to get a shot again without passing out;” “That pit bull lunged at me. All dogs are dangerous.” Catastrophizing. “The captain said we’re going through turbulence. The plane is going to crash!” “The person next to me coughed. Maybe it’s the swine flu. I’m going to get very sick!” Once you’ve identified your negative thoughts, evaluate them. Use the following example to get started. Negative thought: “The elevator will break down and I’ll get trapped and suffocate.” Is there any evidence that contradicts this thought?

“I see many people using the elevator and it has never broken down.” “I cannot remember ever hearing of anyone dying from suffocation in an elevator.” “I have never actually been in an elevator that has broken down.” “There are air vents in an elevator which will stop the air running out.” Could you do anything to resolve this situation if it does occur? “I guess I could press the alarm button or use the telephone to call for assistance.” Are you making a thinking error? “Yes. I’m fortune telling, as I have no evidence to suggest that the elevator will break down.” What would you say to a friend who has this fear? “I would probably say that the chances of it happening are very slim as you don’t see or hear about it very often.” Source: Mood Juice It’s also helpful to come up with some positive coping statements that you can tell yourself when facing your phobia. For example: “I’ve felt this way before and nothing terrible happened. It may be unpleasant, but it won’t harm me.” “If the worst happens and I have a panic attack while I’m driving, I’ll simply pull over and wait for it to pass.” “I’ve flown many times and the plane has never crashed.

In fact, I don’t know anyone who’s ever been in a plane crash. Statistically, flying is very safe.” Related HelpGuide articles Resources and references General information about phobias and fears Anxiety, Panic, and Phobias – Guide to phobias, including the signs and symptoms, types, causes, and treatment options. (The Royal College of Psychiatrists) Specific Phobia – Learn about the symptoms and treatment of phobias. Includes information on how to tell if you have a phobia or another anxiety disorder. (AnxietyBC) Phobias – Describes different phobias, their symptoms, and the treatments and self-help measures that can help. (NHS) Types of phobias and their treatment Animal/Bird Phobias – Learn about animal and bird phobias, including how to treat them. (Anxiety Care) Claustrophobia – Describes symptoms of claustrophobia and provides an overview of available treatments. (Better Health Channel, Australia) Dental Phobia – Discusses dental phobia, what causes it, and what you can do about it. (Dental Fear Central) Fear of Flying – Fear of flying resource covers symptoms medical issues, and cognitive coping strategies.

(A Guide to Psychology and its Practice) Overcoming your fear of needles (PDF) – Leaflet explaining more about the fear of needles with practical advice on how to overcome it. (NHS Foundation Trust) Overcoming Medical Phobias (PDF) – Free e-book on how to conquer a fear of blood, needles, doctors, or dentists. (Martin Anthony, Ph.D.) Phobias in children and teens Fears and Phobias – Information geared to teenagers about fears, phobias, and treatment. (TeenHealth) Phobias – Easy-to-understand phobia information for children. (KidsHealth) Self-help and support Phobias: A Self-Help Guide – Printable self-help guide offers practical tools and advice for overcoming phobias and fears. (Moodjuice) Self-Help: Managing Your Phobias (PDF) – Outlines six self-help steps for managing phobias and fears. (AnxietyBC) Exposure treatment Systematic Desensitization – Detailed look at systematic desensitization and how to do it on your own. Includes instructions on relaxation, constructing an anxiety hierarchy, and confronting phobias in vivo.

(A Guide to Psychology and Its Practice) Facing Your Fears: Exposure (PDF) – Offers step-by-step advice on how to gradually face a phobia through exposure therapy. (AnxietyBC) From our readers: Bibliophobia | The Fear of Books and Associated Phobias Bibliophobia | The Fear of Books and Associated Phobias Search the site Bibliophobia | The Fear of Books and Associated Phobias Where the phobia of books originates and how to overcome it By Lisa Fritscher Updated September 09, 2016 Bibliophobia is a reasonably unusual phobia of books. It can be broadly defined as the fear of books, but is also associated with a fear of reading or reading out loud or in public. Many people suffer only a subset of this phobia, fearing textbooks or historical novels or children’s stories, rather than a fear of all books. Mythophobia, or the fear of legends, can be considered a subtype of bibliophobia if the fear is of those legends that are written down. Metrophobia , or fear of poetry, is another subtype of bibliophobia. Although this phobia is rather unusual, it makes an excellent backdrop for certain Halloween events, such as Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.

In Universal’s scenario, for example, a female drama voice coach develops both bibliophobia and metrophobia, making it difficult or impossible to do her job. The treatment, in horror movie style, is to force the woman to face horrific images contained in a series of twisted fairy tales. This may be a comic way for people who are afraid of scary stories, but the fear should be taken seriously because of the consequences of this particular fear. The Phobia of Books If you suffer from bibliophobia, you may have difficulty when forced or encouraged to read. You may fear the stories themselves, or even the simple act of reading, holding a book or being in a library may cause anxious behavior associated with your phobia. If you suffer from learning disabilities or difficulty with reading, then it is natural to be nervous, particularly when reading out loud. It is, therefore, important to determine and treat the root cause of the phobia. You may have been ostracized in childhood for not reading adequately or forced to read before you were proficient, so the fear is associated with a lack of control over reading material which has created your aversion and resulted in anxiety surrounding books. If you have bibliophobia, you may shake, sweat or cry when having to read.

You might go out of your way to avoid reading out loud, sitting in the back of a classroom or even skipping classes altogether. You may try to convince others to read important information to you instead of having to read it yourself. Or you may heavily control your interaction with books or reading environments such as libraries, museums and other places where reading is an important aspect of the experience. The Treatment of Bibliophobia Because bibliophobia can be extremely life-limiting, causing problems at work and school as well as in personal life, it's important that you seek proper treatment. Your doctor or mental health professional will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs. You will likely be taught new ways of thinking about books, and encouraged to read a few pages at a time within the safety of your therapist’s office. At no time will you be forced to progress at a faster pace than you feel comfortable with. Remember treatment is not a cure, so your best course of action is to continue to expose yourself to books to lessen your anxiety surrounding your fear of books. This continual exposure will help you better overcome your phobia in the long run. Source Acrophobia - Fear of Heights Acrophobia By Lisa Fritscher - Reviewed by a board-certified physician.

Updated August 06, 2016 Acrophobia is defined as a fear of heights. Unlike a specific phobia like aerophobia -- fear of flying -- and other specific phobias, acrophobia can cause a person to fear a variety of things related to being far from the ground. Depending on the phobia's severity, an acrophobic person may equally fear being on a high floor of a building or simply climbing a ladder. Acrophobia and Related Conditions Vertigo: True vertigo is a medical condition that causes a sensation of spinning and dizziness. Illyngophobia is a phobia in which the fear of developing vertigo can actually lead to vertigo-like symptoms. Acrophobia can induce similar feelings, but the three conditions are not the same. See a doctor for tests if you experience vertigo symptoms. Medical tests may include blood work, CT scans and MRIs , which can rule out a variety of neurological conditions. Bathmophobia: The fear of slopes and stairs, is sometimes related to acrophobia. In bathmophobia , you may panic when viewing a steep slope, even if you have no need to climb the slope.

Although many people with bathmophobia have acrophobia, most acrophobia sufferers do not also experience bathmophobia. Climacophobia: Related to bathmophobia, except that the fear generally occurs only when contemplating making a climb. If you suffer from climacophobia , you are probably not afraid to see a steep set of stairs as long as you can remain safely at the bottom. However, climacophobia may occur in tandem with acrophobia. Aerophobia: The specific fear of flying. Depending on the severity of your fear, you may be afraid of airports and airplanes, or may only feel the fear when in the air. Aerophobia may occasionally occur alongside acrophobia. Symptoms of Acrophobia If you experience acrophobia, you may never experience vertigo symptoms. Instead, you may feel a sense of panic when at height. You may instinctively begin to search for something to cling to. You may find that you are unable to trust your own sense of balance. Common reactions include descending immediately, crawling on all fours and kneeling or otherwise lowering the body. Emotionally and physically, the response to acrophobia is similar to the response to any other phobia.

You may begin to shake, sweat, experience heart palpitations and even cry or yell out. You may feel terrified and paralyzed. It might become difficult to think. If you have acrophobia, it is likely that you will begin to dread situations that may cause you to spend time at height. For example, you may worry that an upcoming vacation will put you into a hotel room on a high floor. You may put off home repairs for fear of using a ladder. You might avoid visiting friends' homes if they have balconies or upstairs picture windows. Danger of Acrophobia The biggest danger that most phobias present is the risk of limiting one's life and activities to avoid the feared situation. Acrophobia is unusual, however, in that having a panic attack while high in the air could actually lead to the imagined danger. The situation may be safe as long as normal precautions are taken, but panicking could lead you to make unsafe moves. Therefore, it is extremely important that acrophobia be professionally treated as quickly as possible, particularly if heights are a regular part of your life. Causes of Acrophobia Research shows that a certain amount of reluctance around heights is normal, not only for humans but for all visual animals.

In 1960, famed research psychologists Gibson and Walk did a "Visual Cliff" experiment which showed crawling infants, along with babies of numerous species, who refused to cross a thick glass panel that covered an apparently sharp drop-off. The presence of the infant's mother, encouragingly calling him, did not convince the babies that it was safe. Therefore, acrophobia seems to be at least partially ingrained, possibly as an evolutionary survival mechanism. Nonetheless, most children and adults use caution but are not inordinately afraid of heights. Acrophobia, like all phobias, appears to be a hyper-reaction of the normal fear response. Many experts believe that this may be a learned response to either a previous fall or a parent's nervous reaction to heights. Treating Acrophobia Cognitive-behavioral therapy , or CBT, is a main treatment of choice for specific phobias. Behavioral techniques that expose the sufferer to the feared situation either gradually ( systematic desensitization ) or rapidly (flooding) are frequently used. In addition, the client is taught ways of stopping the panic reaction and regaining emotional control. Traditionally, actual exposure to heights is the most common solution.

However, several research studies performed since 2001 have shown that virtual reality may be just as effective. A major advantage of virtual reality treatment is the savings in both cost and time, as there is no need for "on-location" therapist accompaniment. This method is not yet readily available, but may be worth trying to find if you can. The drug D-Cycloserine has been in clinical trials for anxiety disorder treatment since 2008. It appears that using the medication in tandem with cognitive-behavioral therapy may improve results, but the research remains preliminary at this time. Acrophobia appears to be rooted in an evolutionary safety mechanism. Nonetheless, it represents an extreme variation on a normal caution, and can become quite life-limiting for sufferers. It can also be dangerous for those who experience a full panic reaction while at a significant height. Acrophobia can share certain symptoms with vertigo, a medical disorder with a variety of possible causes, as well as with other specific phobias. For these reasons, if you experience the signs of acrophobia, it is extremely important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Sources: Gibson, E. J., & Walk, R. D.

"The 'visual cliff'." Scientific American. 1960. 202, 67-71. May 5, 2008. Retrieved from Emmelkamp, Paul, Bruynzeel, Mary, Drost, Leonie, van der Mast, Charles. "Virtual Reality Treatment in Acrophobia: A Comparison with Exposure in Vivo" CyberPsychology & Behavior. June 1, 2001, 4(3): 335-339. May 5, 2008. Continue Reading Pedophobia - 16 Weirdest Phobias - Pictures - CBS News 16 Weirdest Phobias Next Venustraphobia One could argue that there are many reasons to fear reality star Kim Kardashian (the self-absorbed conspicuous consumption some think her show represents, for example.) But those who suffer from Venustraphobia, also known as Caligynephobia, are afraid of beautiful women in general, not just reality stars. Credit: Personal Photo Pedophobia The evil little kid from "The Omen" would give anyone the creeps, but people with pedophobia have a fear of children in general.

Credit: Twentieth Century Fox Ancraophobia Dorothy and Toto were about to get whisked up into the air by a tornado, so if they developed a little ancraophobia, who could blame them. If you fear the wind, you may be ancraophobic too. Credit: AP/Warner Brothers Heliophobia You won't catch this vampire bat in the daylight hours. You could say the little guy is heliophobic - afraid of the sun. Credit: AP Ephebiphobia Attention frazzled parents: Those frightened by teens have a name - ephebiphobiac. Now you have a fancy reason to keep your kids away from Miley Cyrus. Credit: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrien Veczan Automatonophobia Since the lady in pink is posing with a wax figure of the rapper Tupac in one of Madame Tussauds wax museums, we can safely assume that she doesn't suffer from automatonophobia - the fear of dummies, mannequins, wax figures and the like.

Photo courtesy of MyRealVegas.com Credit: myrealvegas.com Chorophobia So not everyone watches "Dancing with the Stars" and thinks, "I should be up there!" Maybe you just don't like dancing. But some people take it to the extreme - the very idea of moving to the beat fills them with horror. They are very possibly chorophobic. Credit: FOX/Joe Viles Anthrophobia Remember the movie "Little Shop of Horrors?" It was the one about the flower shop employee who ends up raising a plant that feeds on human blood. He had a darn good reason for having anthrophobia - a fear of flowers. Credit: CBS Ecclesiophobia In Hollywood, those possessed by the devil are typically afraid of churches. If you're not possessed, but nevertheless have an aversion to churches, you just might be ecclesiophobic. Credit: istockphoto Spectrophobia Does your dog bark at his own reflection in the mirror. Maybe he is spectrophobic. Spectrophobes are afraid of their own reflections. Credit: istockphoto Chemophobia Some people want their food straight up - no chemical fertilizers, no pesticides. Clothes too - organic cotton, only please.

But when does being a purist become pathology? Chemophobics have an extreme fear of chemicals, not just a healthy aversion. Credit: istockphoto Genuphobia Genuphobia - a deep fear of knees. Some people find them extraordinarily ugly, others may have been traumatized by kneeling in childhood. There are many possible reasons for this highly individualized phobia. Credit: istockphoto Asymmetriphobia The detective "Monk" is probably an asymmetriphobe. If you are afraid of asymmetrical objects, mismatched socks, mismatched earrings and the like, you could be too. Credit: istockphoto Ablutophobia Just because you do a dirty job for a living doesn't mean you have ablutophobia. True ablutophobes are afraid to wash themselves. Luckily, "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe isn't one of them. Credit: Discovery Networks Gelotophobia Neither Tina Fey nor her old alter ego Sarah Palin could be called gelotophobes - they're both good sports and appreciate a good laugh, even when the joke is on them. Gelotophobes, on the other hand, have a pathological fear of being laughed at or made fun of.

Domatophobia The unfortunate family that moved into the "The Amityville Horror" home had every reason to be domatophobic. So did the Wicked Witch of the East, who Dorothy dropped in on! Still, domatophobes, those afraid of being in houses, are a rare breed. Credit: AIP

Question: If you suffered from androphobia what would you be afraid of?
Answer: Men