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Specific Phobias

Do you experience excessive fear or anxiety about something specific, such as heights, insects, airplanes, or even social situations?

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Do you try to avoid situations or places that trigger your fear, even if you know there is no real danger?

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When faced with the source of your fear, do you experience physical symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating, dizziness, or intense anxiety?

Specific phobias are intense and frequent fears of specific objects or situations, such as snakes, heights, airplanes, or even social situations. When someone has a specific phobia, the fear they experience is disproportionate to the actual threat that may exist, but it can be extremely limiting and seriously affect their daily life. People with specific phobias often avoid the source of their fear, even though this avoidance may cause other problems.

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Common symptoms:

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  • Increased fear or anxiety related to the feared object or situation

  • Physical symptoms such as a racing heart, dizziness, sweating, or breathing difficulties when near the feared situation

  • Avoidance of the object or situation that triggers the fear, even though they know there is no real danger

  • Feeling helpless or powerless when confronted with the source of their fear

 

Specific phobias are very common and can arise from a previous traumatic experience, or develop without a clear cause. Other factors include genetic predisposition and family history, learning a specific phobia through observation (e.g., a parent's fearful reaction), and/or increased sensitivity to anxiety. However, it is important to recognise that the phobia can become limiting and affect the individual's life.

Childhood Phobias

Childhood phobias are very common and typically develop during the preschool years, though they may persist for several years. While most children outgrow their phobias over time, there are cases where the phobias become more intense or last into adolescence or adulthood.

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Fear of the dark
Very common in early childhood, where children are afraid to stay alone in a room or sleep without a light.

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Fear of animals
Children often fear animals, such as dogs or snakes, even if they have not had a negative experience with them.

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Separation fears
Children may be afraid to separate from their parents or caregivers, especially in new or unfamiliar situations, such as school or holidays.

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Fear of medical procedures, needles, and blood
In childhood, children may develop an intense fear of medical procedures or injections due to pain, the unknown, or images of blood or needles.

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Fear of people or social situations
Fear of strangers or social situations where the child feels uncomfortable or exposed.

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It is important to remember that these phobias are often normal and part of a child’s development. However, if left unaddressed, they can develop into more serious problems later in life.

How can psychotherapy help?

Psychotherapy for specific phobias focuses on understanding the cause of the fear and developing strategies for acceptance and coping. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help manage fears and enhance self-esteem. In the therapeutic setting, you will:

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  • Recognise and understand the origin of your fear.

  • Explore how and why your phobia developed, analysing the experiences or reactions that triggered it.

  • Gradually expose yourself to the source of your fear in a safe environment, with the aim of reducing the intensity of the fear and increasing your resilience.

  • Learn to identify the negative thoughts that fuel your phobia, replacing them with more realistic and positive thoughts.

  • Apply strategies for thought restructuring and alternative coping plans.

  • Develop self-esteem, self-confidence, and trust in yourself.

  • Examine and address childhood phobias if they persist into adulthood.

  • Learn relaxation techniques to manage fear in the here and now.

  • Regain control of your life by reducing the fear that limits you.

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