Phobia. HSP3C

What is a phobia? A strong, irrational fear of something that has

little or no danger at all Comes from the Greek word “fear”

Phobia vs. Fear What’s the difference? Phobia = STRESS.

They do whatever it takes to avoid what scares them

It can stop them from having an everyday life

Symptoms Panic Rapid heartbeatShortness of breathTrembling Really, really wants to get away

PHOBIAS.1) Specific phobia:

fear of specific object, or situationEg. plants, animals, clowns

PHOBIAS.2) Social Phobia

More than shynessGreat fear of being rejected

PHOBIAS3) Fear of open spaces (agrophobia)

Actual or anticipated situation Eg. Public transportation, being in a crowd,

standing in line

OriginsUsually comes from childhood or teenage years,

and continues into adulthoodAfter traumatic (painful) experience Family/relatives – learn their behaviour

Complications Life can be hard to live Depression

Substance abuse

DIAGNOSISNO test for determining phobias

Go through an interview with doctor

TreatmentMedications

Help control anxiety and panic attacks

Treatment Psychotherapy1) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

learn other beliefs about the fear; learn how to control feelings and thoughts

Treatments2) Exposure Therapy

Individual slowly learns how to change response to situation; gradual (slowly), and repeated (over and over again)

Phobia Facts There are many different phobias! For example…

Coulrophobia – fear of clowns

Didaskaleinophobia – fear of going to school

Heliophobia – fear of sunlight

Melissophobia – fear of bees

Isolophobia – fear of being alone

Phobia FactsThere are more than 400 phobias being

diagnosed by doctors

It is unique to the individual, and each phobia can be different!

Help?Anxiety Disorders Association of Canada

http://www.anxietycanada.ca/

Dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of Anxiety Disorders