Gripped with Phobia:
What You Should Know About It

If you can board a plane and fly, even when you are terrified, that’s fear. If you are gripped with such an overwhelming fear that you can’t force yourself to get on that plane, or maybe even to book the flight, that’s probably phobia. A phobia is an intense feeling, even when there is no real danger or threat. So, it is an unreasonable and baseless fear. You feel powerless in conquering it, even when you are aware there is really no danger.

Will going to great lengths– altering your lifestyle or inconveniencing yourself – to avoid the source of fear help you conquer your phobia? What must you know to overcome your phobia? Here are some facts that might help you “unlearn” your phobia.

Is it phobia?

Having fears is normal; crippling phobias are a different matter. Throughout life, you’ll go through a lot of experiences; some can leave you scarred more profoundly than you can think possible. These may appear as excessive fears or phobias. How do you know if an intense fear is phobia?

There is a wide range of signs and symptoms which you may manifest. It may start with mild, tolerable feelings to full-scale panic as you get close to the object, event or situation. The physical signs may include trembling, pounding heart, intense sweating, dizziness or lightheadedness, agitated stomach, and hot/cold flashes. Phobia’s emotional signs and symptoms include the feeling of powerlessness and the gripping feelings of panic and loss of control.

Phobia is a Type of Anxiety

Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that needs to be assessed and properly treated so you’ll get over it. It will not go away on its own. You may stall seeing a therapist if the phobia doesn’t happen too often, but eventually, you need to face it.

If the signs and symptoms, however, are disabling and standing in the way of achieving your goals or doing common day-to-day routines, it is important to seek help right away. Because phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, you may need help to conquer it.

Unlearning with Help

You don’t have to allow phobia to get the better of you because there are therapists who can help you overcome your intense, baseless and unreasonable fear. If even the thought of the object or situation is overwhelming, facing your phobia will be impossible without professional help.

If you call Carolina Counseling Services – Fayetteville, NC, an independently contracted therapist can help you “unlearn” the gripping phobia. Take that first step now to overcome whatever is holding you back from living a fuller life.

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