Is Arachnophobia more serious or fear of flying? The answer is: it depends upon how distressing the fear is. We often associate phobias with snakes, spiders, or heights, but a true phobia causes significant impairment in a person's life. For teens these phobias can  significantly increase anxiety levels preventing some from working, enjoying their friends and family, attending school, or enjoying nature.

In each case the phobia tends to be a learned response to a previous experience that was frightening or traumatic. The fear that is experienced becomes generalized to other similar situations. While this learning mechanism is a way to keep us safe from future threats, phobias are an exaggerated response that the person often admits is excessive. Other times phobias are generated by watching parents or siblings have phobic reactions.  While avoiding the feared object or situation may relieve anxiety in the short-run, our minds associate the phobia with even more fear, intensifying the phobia. This pattern can grow until it begins to limit a teens freedom, confidence, and overall quality of life.
Symptoms of Specific Phobias in Teens
  • A marked, persistent and excessive fear of an object, animal or a situation.
  • Exposure to the phobic stimulus causes an immediate anxious response.
  • The teen recognizes that the fear is excessive.
  • The phobic situation is avoided or endured with intense anxiety or distress.
  • The avoidance, anticipation or distress in the feared situation interferes with the teen's normal routine (school, social life) - or there is marked distress about having the phobia.
  • The phobic reaction isn't due to any other mental health disorder.
Fortunately specific phobias are one of the most easily treated mental health disorders. At the Bay Area Center for Anxiety we use empirically validated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to cure phobias and clear the path for a return to a fear free existence.
To schedule a free phone consultation or to set up an appointment with us, call (415) 488-5781 or click below.

BAY AREA CENTER FOR ANXIETY
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