Anxiety Disorders and Phobias
A phobia, also known as a social phobia or a panic disorder, is a common type of mental illness defined by an excessive and persistent fear of a specific object or situation. Phobias are generally present for at least six months and usually lead to a rapid onset of panic and anxiety.
Anxiety disorders and phobias are closely related but often appear in different ways
A person who suffers from a phobia might feel anxious when around certain people, while a person with an anxiety disorder might feel anxious whenever left alone. A person who has panic attacks or feels intensely anxious about even the most minute of things is an example of someone who suffers from a phobia.
Anxiety disorders and phobias can be treated. Depending on the severity of your phobia and the length of time you've had it, treatment could involve some form of medication, therapy, self-help programs, or even some combination of those three.
The medical community has categorized the types of phobias as general, specific, and mixed. General phobias are less common and include things like the fear of public speaking, fear of heights, fear of flying, and other similar fears.
Specific phobias can be much more intense, ranging from a fear of being buried alive to a fear of flying. Mixed phobias are a combination of generalized anxiety and a specific phobia. These are very common and are usually treated with therapy and medication.
While anxiety disorders and phobias are not dangerous, if left untreated, they can lead to serious mental problems. The most serious forms of anxiety disorders can cause hallucinations, delusions, suicidal thoughts, and even violence.
Some people suffering from these disorders have to seek out specialized treatment in order for them to be cured. In some cases, surgery is necessary to treat specific phobias such as hypochondriasis or agoraphobia.
The above information should help you get a better understanding of what anxiety and phobia are and how they are treatable.
Remember that any type of phobia can be overcome with the proper treatment
Social anxiety disorder is one of the most common. This disorder is characterized by extreme feelings of fear or nervousness in social situations. People who suffer from this disorder will avoid social interaction at all costs, and may even avoid talking to others in order to protect themselves from the fears of rejection they have.
Fortunately, this disorder can be treated. Therapy and medications can often alleviate symptoms and allow sufferers to socialize more freely again. The best approach to dealing with social anxiety disorder is to get to the root of the problem and treat it. Sometimes, talking about it and overcoming it can help sufferers get through their fears.
If you have social anxiety disorder, don't worry too much. Even if your social anxiety is severe, you have several options.
Hypnotherapy can help. Hypnotherapy works by breaking down the beliefs that keep sufferers in the grips of their phobias, and replacing them with rational thinking that allows sufferers to overcome their phobias and conquer their fears. It can also teach sufferers methods to face the fears head on.
Other options that are available include CBT, which is more effective than hypnotherapy because it addresses both the phobia and the fears that are holding it in place. With CBT, sufferers will learn new techniques to confront their fears and learn new methods to cope with them.
Self-hypnosis is also a treatment option. It's based on the idea that anxiety attacks are caused by negative thoughts that come from within, and that by changing the way they think, you can change the way that they manifest.