Everyone is afraid of something. Fear is built in to protect us. A phobia goes further: the fear is far stronger than the real danger and starts to affect everyday life. Someone with a fear of snakes, for example, might worry about meeting one even where that is very unlikely.
Some phobias can be managed by simply avoiding the thing you fear. Others need more help. Here are the main options.
Talking therapies
Exposure therapy means facing the fear slowly, often starting by imagining it and building up to the real thing. Virtual reality versions are now used for some fears, such as flying and spiders.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) looks at your thoughts and reactions in the here and now, and helps you change the ones that keep the fear going. It often includes some exposure work.
Counselling can look at where a fear came from. Many phobias start in childhood or after a stressful experience, and understanding that can help.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is nothing like stage hypnosis. In a calm, focused state, you can learn a new automatic response to the thing you fear. This is the approach I use, and many people find it works quickly.
Medication
Sometimes a GP may prescribe medication to help manage anxiety or the physical symptoms of fear, usually for a short time. This is always a conversation to have with your doctor.
Self-help
- Mindfulness and slow breathing to calm your body
- Regular exercise, good sleep and a balanced diet
- Cutting back on caffeine, which can make anxiety worse
There is no single right answer. What matters is finding an approach that suits you, and not letting the fear decide how you live.
Want help with a phobia?
Take the free phobia test to see how strong your fear is, or book a £49 consultation call and we can talk it through.