The Signs Your Fear Has Become a Phobia
Every human being has a list of things that they fear, but when you lose control of your fears, they often develop into full blown phobias. From common phobias such as claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) to unusual ones such as Sidonglobophobia (fear of cotton balls), they can fill a person with debilitating, intense, and often irrational fear.
Unlike fear, phobias occur when an object or situation is so distressful that the person suffering it will change their life and experience less pleasure due to the perceived threat. If you aren’t sure where you stand, here’s how to distinguish the difference between a phobia and fear so that you know when to seek professional help.
How To Tell If You Have A Phobia
A fear of something usually protects you from a life-threatening situation. For example, a fear of getting burnt will keep you from touching a hot stove plate or the flame of a lit candle. A phobia is a feeling disproportionate to the situation, such as being unable to ascend past the first floor of a building due to a fear of heights. Here are three common signs that can help you distinguish a phobia from a normal fear.
- Feeling threatened when there’s no real danger
Phobias are indicative of an anxiety disorder, and a person usually displays physical symptoms such as an increased heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, trembling, dizziness, sweating, nausea and hot or cold flushes. Emotional symptoms can include feelings of powerlessness; wanting to escape and feeling like you’re going to die.
- Feelings of nervousness just thinking about the situation
If just the thought of your phobia fills you with dread, nervousness or panic attacks for hours, this is likely to be a phobia.
- Total avoidance of a situation
Do you avoid certain situations to the extent that it prevents you from social interactions (buying groceries or visiting the doctor) or gets in the way of you doing your job (fear of travelling to a conference)? If so, you probably have a phobia.
Phobias can be debilitating and often lead to a reduction in your quality of life when you can no longer conduct tasks or be in certain places due to an irrational fear. There’s no need to suffer from a phobia as there is support available. A professional psychologist can help you identify practical steps to take that will allow you to eventually manage or overcome your phobia. Call Psylegal today for an appointment.
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