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Phobia
Persistent fear of some objects or situations that present no actual danger to individuals is called phobia. Phobia involves exaggerated fear that is common to all to some extent. The danger in this case is magnified out of its proportion. Phobia is nothing but irrational fear and avoidance behavior. People might fear darkness, fire, and snakes. But in case of phobic neurosis, this fear becomes irrational and individuals cannot free themselves from it. Such individuals start avoiding the situations or objects of their fear. Gradually these fears start interfering with everyday activities. This neurotic pattern is more common among adolescents, young adults, and women.
bullet.gif (260 bytes) Types of Phobia
bullet.gif (260 bytes) Causes
bullet.gif (260 bytes) Symptoms
bullet.gif (260 bytes) Treatment
 

Types of Phobia
Acrophobia - Exaggerated and irrational fear of high places

Agoraphobia - Fear of open places

Algophobia - Fear of pain

Astraphobia - Fear of storms, thunder, and lightning

Claustrophobia - Fear of closed places

Monophobia - Fear of being alone

Nyctophobia - Exaggerated and irrational fear of darkness

Ocholophobia - Fear of crowd

Pathophobia - Fear of diseases

Pyrophobia - Fear of fire

Zoophobia - Fear of animals or a particular animal

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Causes
The causes leading to phobia may be psychological and sociocultural. Many individuals have mild phobias based on previous learning. Such individuals may generalize to a fear of situations related to the basic trauma. Phobia is a defense mechanism in which individuals feel they should give in to their fears to protect themselves. In such circumstances their repressed aggression might become dangerous. Psychic trauma, pathogenic parent-child family patterns and disturbed interpersonal relationships are also responsible factors for phobia.

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Symptoms
Individuals suffering from phobia admit that there is no real cause to be afraid of the object or situation. Still they are unable to overcome it. Their attempts to approach their object of fear might even lead to uneasiness, distress, and anxiety attack. Along with irrational fear, symptoms of phobic neurosis are headaches, tension, back pain, dizziness and stomach upsets.

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Treatment
Treatment may be aimed at changing the individual’s basic defensive and avoidance approach to life. This may be done by behavior therapy. Behavior therapy helps individuals to understand their fear and learn methods to cope with them. This enables them to have a better understanding of the reality. Drastic change in individuals is observed once phobia is cured. Individuals gain confidence and learn to cope with stressful situations. In combination with the treatment, individuals need love and support from their family and friends. It invigourates them to cope up with stress and do away with their defensive and avoidance approach.

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