Question: which is a phobia?
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Arachnophobia 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. Phobias really turn up the anxiety preventing some from working, enjoying their friends and family, attending school, or enjoying nature.
the phobia is often a learned response to a previously scary or difficult life experience.
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 cycle continues until a true phobia emerges and the person is prevented from living their full life.    
Symptoms of Specific Phobias in Adults:
  • A marked, persistent and excessive fear of an object, animal or situation.
  • Exposure to the phobic stimulus causes an immediate anxious response.
  • The person 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 person's normal routine (work, social life, school) - 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.

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