List of Important Phobias and Their Details

Phobia –derived from the Greek word ‘Phobos’ literally meaning fear or horror. Phobias refers to an acute, implausible fear or feeling of antipathy towards a certain object, group, or concept.

Those suffering from a phobia make conscious efforts to avoid the feared object and escape situations that are difficult for them to endure or which cause anxiety to them regarding the same.

An encounter with these feared objects or concepts makes them overwhelmed, stressed, and leads to the person losing self-control. The chief features include:

• Symptoms of Phobias
• Causes of Phobias
• Treatment of Phobias
• Types of Phobias

Symptoms Of Various Phobias

• Trembling
• Nausea
• Panic attack
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Shortness of Breath
• Tingling sensations
• Losing control of body movements
• Sudden changes in body temperature
• Thirsty
• Choking sensation
• Experience Overwhelming Anxiety

Causes Of Phobias

1. Genetics

Phobias faced by family members can be passed to the next generation through the passage of memories and experiences via DNA. Close relatives having anxiety or related disorders may pass genetics causing phobias or fears to their successors.

Moreover, anxiety may be acquired from family members and others who behave in a noticeably stressed or anxious manner around a child. Certain phobias may develop from existing genetic disorders.

Also, a twin baby is likely to develop a phobia if their other twin has been identified with one. For example, Agoraphobia.

2. Pessimistic and Negative Environments/Instances

Phobias can be developed due to certain negative, frightening, and panic-stricken events or accidents. Such objects or situations are those in which the mind and memory start associating with stress, anxiety, and discomfort.

All this leads to the creation of phobias and fears i.e. not wanting to face the situation again. For example, nearly falling off a very high building roof.

3. Brain Injuries or Disorders by birth

A brain injury leads to alteration in the Amygdala due to which the brain starts to process fear differently. Brain injuries can cause trauma and put one at risk of developing phobias or anxiety disorders which can further lead to phobias.

This might happen due to an imbalance in brain chemicals or damaged neurotransmitters of the brain. Cognitive damages and communication impairments due to brain injuries may adversely affect the social abilities of a person and cause phobias. For example, Sociophobia.

4. Substance Abuse

Excessive amounts of dope and alcohol may impair certain functions of the brain. These are often consumed in excess by people suffering from anxiety and depression issues. Drugs can also cause paranoia and hallucinations. For example, Marijuana can cause phobias 15 percent of the time.

5. Long Term and Deep Rooted Stress

Anxiety and stress taken for a long period of time can cause phobias regarding certain situations. For example, Ergophobia.

Treatment Of Phobias

1. Psychotherapy

This includes exposure to the patient’s phobias by making them face the object or situation they fear the most one at a time. This requires a lot of support and courage from the patient’s side.

This also includes cognitive therapy in terms of change of perception towards the feared object, by the development of confidence in terms of thoughts, feelings, and body sensations/movements.

2. Medications

Used for a short period of time, mostly used to identify the phobia detail. Includes usage of beta-blockers, sedatives, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines to control anxiety, adrenaline rush and to help the patient remain calm and relaxed.

3. Yoga and Relaxation Techniques

Deep breathing, certain yoga poses, and introspection exercises can help remove anxiety, calm the patient, and help them face their phobias.

4. Physical Exercises

Cardio exercises can help vent out stress, anxiety, and produce endorphins in the mind, which helps reduce fear and depression.

5. Homeopathy

Herbal remedies can help treat phobias. This helps eliminate anxiety by balancing the hormones. These include Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Aconite, Gelsemium, etc.

6. Hypnotherapy

Helps explore the phobia in an extensive manner. It helps improve learned responses governed by the subconscious mind. It also eliminates anxiety.

Types Of Phobias

There are majorly 5 types of Phobias related to:

• Natural Environment
• Animals
• Medical Treatment
• Certain Motions
• Certain Situations

Conclusion

These are the must-know phobias, knowing the meanings of which help boost general knowledge, prepare well for competitive exams, and also help in recognizing fears and the way to urgently treat them shall the situation arise.

It is essential to have this basic knowledge of various fears faced by patients in order to understand the seriousness of such situations and to spread awareness regarding them.