Fears & Phobias
A phobia is an overwhelming & debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal. Phobias are more pronounced than fears. They develop when a person has an exaggerated or unrealistic sense of danger about a situation or object.
If a phobia becomes very severe, a person may organise their life around avoiding the thing that's causing them anxiety. As well as restricting their day-to-day life, it can also cause a lot of distress.
A phobia is an anxiety disorder symptoms may show until contact with the source of the phobia. In some cases, even thinking about the source of a phobia can make a person feel anxious or panicky. This is known as anticipatory anxiety.
Simple Phobias: 3 - 4 sessions.
Complex Phobias: Average 10 - 18 sessions.
If you wish to book an initial consultation at a time to suit you and receive answers to any questions you may have, click on the link above. Alternatively fill out the Enquiry Form and I can give you a call back to discuss this in more detail
Types of phobia
Phobias can be divided into 2 main categories:
Specific or simple phobias
Centre around a particular object, animal, situation etc. Often developing in childhood they may get less severe with age. E.g.
-
animal phobias – such as dogs, spiders, snakes or rodents
-
environmental phobias – e.g. heights, deep water, germs
-
situational phobias – e.g. visiting the dentist or flying
-
bodily phobias – e.g. blood, vomit or having injections
-
sexual phobias –performance anxiety or the fear an STI.
Complex phobias
Are more disabling & they usually develop during adulthood, associated with a fear or anxiety about a particular situation.
The 3 most common complex phobias are:
-
agoraphobia - being in a place where escaping may be difficult during a panic attack
-
social phobia - feeling anxious in social situations, speaking in front of people, being humiliated in public.
-
emetophobia - an extreme fear of vomiting, seeing vomit, watching other people vomit, or even feeling sick.
What causes phobias?
There are a number of associated factors e.g.,
-
maybe an association with a particular incident or trauma
-
maybe a learned response from a parent or sibling
-
genetics, some people could be born to be more anxious
With Solution Focused Hypnotherapy at The Willows Hypnotherapy I can provide support to manage & alleviate phobias & fears. Using a process called "rewind & reframe" after any complex anxieties are resolved we can reset the mind to be able to manage & potentially eliminate the phobic response.
By using a combination of psychotherapy techniques and trance I can facilitate the process of recovery and by explaining how the brain works, why & how phobias are created and what we can do about it. This process allows the client to think more clearly & rationally.
The Symptoms of Phobias
Psychological
-
fear of losing control
-
fear of fainting
-
feelings of dread
-
fear of dying
-
triggers for fight/flight response
Physical
-
sweating,hot flushes or chills
-
trembling
-
shortness of breath or choking sensation
-
rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
-
pain or tightness in the chest
-
nausea
-
headaches, dizziness, feeling faint
-
numbness or pins and needles
-
dry mouth
-
a need to go to the toilet
-
ringing in your ears
-
confusion or disorientation
Changes in Behaviour
-
in severe cases, may prevent you carrying out everyday activities, such as eating out or meeting friends.
-
lying to avoid situations through embarrassment.
-
loss of friends through fear